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Another Thought
Process Edition:
We Gotta Fill those Heels
Written by: John Howard Jr.
Rapindustry.com
Disclaimer: This article is strictly based on MY opinion. I realize
that this may not be the feelings of you, the reader. You are entitled to
your opinion on this subject matter.
Sometimes the perfect brainstorm can come from the strangest place. While
watching the NCAA Men’s Pool Tournament Challenge on ESPN the other day,
and listening to an ill Lauryn Hill verse from the Fugees classic, The Score
simultaneously, first I wondered: Why is it that the Challenge is broken down
into two sexes? The same also goes for the poker championships which ESPN
regularly televises. Poker and pool are sports that require skill and experience
instead of physical prowess so why don’t men and women compete in the
same tournaments. The other thought that came to mind this particular day
was “Damn Lauryn be spittin‘ that hot shit” Only one listen
to The Score, and anyone can hear that Wyclef and Pras could not (and still
cannot ) hold a candle to Lauryn lyrically. Clearly, Lauryn excelled past
the two of them on a rap level, a “sport” that also rewards skill
and experience. So after contemplating for a moment I wondered to myself:
Why is it that female rappers only seem to put themselves on the level of
other female rappers? Is it their own doing? Or their labels? Also, where
is a major female voice in the rap game today? These questions come to mind
because I often notice in magazines, television interviews, etc. female rappers
always stating “I’m trying to be the best female rapper in game
right now” or “I’m the Queen of such and such.” Why do
they limit themselves to achieving to only being the best female, when they
can strive to be “the best” period?
After her shared success with the Fugees, Hill released her solo album The
Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which went on to sell over five million records
and also earned her five Grammy awards. These are very high achievements from
an artist, male or female in any genre but she did it. Shortly afterwards,
Hill subsequently burned out and went into “retirement” after all
the rapid success, but her achievements left the world stunned, amazed, and
inspired. For about a two year span, Lauryn was on top of the rap game and
the world was at her feet.
In today’s music industry there is no reason why the right female talent
cannot sell records and shine artistically alongside their male peers. Of
course, a woman’s personal outlook and content are going to be differ
from a male rapper. However, if she has the skill, the right personality,
and support from her label she could be on top of the game, or at least on
the “current A-list of rappers. These are artists that shine artistically
and sell records on a consistent basis such as Jay-Z, Nas, T.I. Kanye West
, Lil‘ Wayne, etc.
Most female rappers from Yo-Yo with Ice Cube, to Lil’ Kim with Biggie,
to Trina with Trick Daddy, have been ushered into the industry by already
established male stars or a rap group. Actually, there is nothing wrong with
this, as many males also come into the game under the wing of someone else.
However, what is disturbing is that many of these women receive help in ghostwriting
from male rappers which hurts their credibility and prevents them from appealing
to a wider potential audience. True, many fans do not care if Biggie wrote
much of Lil’ Kim’s Hardcore, they just think of it is a hot album,
but other female rappers like Rah Digga and Jean Grae pride on writing their
own songs themselves. Rightfully so, these women take offense to anyone suggesting
someone ghostwrites for them. Hypothetically speaking, how would the public
react if it found out that Nas did not write his own lyrics? Just the notion
of this question is absurd. True hip hop heads respect a lyricist and generally
frown on rappers who use ghostwriters, while the ghostwriters themselves receive
more kudos to add to their resume and gain more respect for their skill in
the craft.
Another interesting aspect is the amount of male features that record labels
release through these female rappers. Getting help from a friend or a peer
is one thing, but a cd full of male artists on you’re a project can overcrowd
the album. Khia mentioned in a XXL interview while dissing Trina, “Jackie-O
and Trina, every big song they made has needed a feature. "I feel I’m
the Queen of the South because I’m by myself. “ (Thompson). Actually
Khia’s comments hold some truth as Trina’s discography has featured
big name features such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross Fabolous, Snoop Dogg, and Twista
among others. Personally, I believe if she wants to gain more respect from
other rappers like Khia and the public at large, she should stand on her own
two feet more instead of adding countless features to her album to help boost
sales.
Also, if the females are able to take more responsibility with their music
perhaps they can exercise greater power in the way their image is portrayed
to the public as well. Many times the focus of the hip hop audience is on
the female’s appearance and style instead of the music she brings to
the table. It has been widely noted in many media outlets, that most hip hop
fans that purchase cds are females. However, most the images and pictures
that these rappers portray are geared toward the male audience. Rappers such
as Trina in a thong on the cover of a magazine, or Foxy Brown strutting’
in stilettos in her latest video are images sure to grab attention from males
when looking down the cd aisle and in magazine ads.
Of course, there have been a few exceptions of women who have kept it relatively
conservative in their appearance and tasted success. If the pressure to look
a certain way and put out certain kinds of music stems from the labels, the
responsibility also lies in the artists themselves. Perhaps they succumb to
the pressure to look “extra-sexy” or come off a certain way on a
record, because they are insecure about standing up for themselves and choosing
to follow their own direction. Growing up in the streets as many rappers do,
or leading a hard life without many role models might contribute to the misdirection
that many of these females face, which can result with being treated as “puppets”
for their record labels.
In today’s job market, the sports world, romantic relationships, etc.
men and women always seem to be on unequal terms. Hip-hop music is an unique
avenue where practically anyone can excel when blessed with the right talent
and given ample support. Perhaps the public subconsciously holds female rappers
to a different standard altogether, and this is why they are rarely seen in
the same spotlight as males. Artists and critics alike are always complaining
about redundancy in the music, and how we need a breath of fresh air and the
opportunities are definetly available. It would be ridiculous for the femmes
in the game to spark beef for no reason, but how interesting would the rap
game be if we could get battles among artists such as Rah Digga vs. Jadakiss
or Eve vs. The Game, or Jean Grae vs. Common? 50 Cent is a master at creating
drama and his sales are usually propelled by his “beefs“ with other
rappers. Maybe if there were groups with more then one female, or posse cuts
that featured more females with males (and all female songs too) it would
show the public that females can hang too. Another female movement like we
had in the mid- nineties when rappers like Lil Kim, Missy, Da Brat, Foxy Brown,
came in the game would also spark morale among the ladies, and offer hope
for unsigned females. Of course, pulling off all these scenarios is easier
said then done, and would take some major label backing and perhaps some cooperation
among the ladies themselves to be successful.
Perhaps Lauryn Hill was the last perfect template for a female rapper that
we had, and that is why the world was so in love with her. In the mid to late
nineties, Ms. Hill showed us that she was an ill lyricist, witty, feminine,
genuine, and sexy (without coming off vulgar or offensive) and she sold records.
There are a few who have possessed different slices of the pie , (Eve and
Missy) but none have seemed to encompass them all like the way she did. We
need a woman to change the game now, and the high heeled shoes that Lauryn
left empty are waiting to be filled. Oh and did I forget, she is a helluva
singer too.
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