A great post by LaToya Peterson at Racialicious on how and why one enjoys objectionable rap music as a feminist. Well,there are the dope beats, but it is also strangely empowering! It’s something I’ve felt too listening to rap music, cringing at individual terms and phrases, but at the same time basking in its aura.
Hip-Hop provides a kind of refuge for us curvy women. Our forms are often lauded and celebrated, by both our selves and by others. One of the major albums for me in my high school years was Trina’s Diamond Princess. Trina’s cocky flow and obvious pride in her body served as a series of anthems for me, particularly when confronted with the drastically different beauty standards my white classmates accepted as ideals. While her lyrics were still problematic, I was able to lose myself in the overall spirit of the song.
It’s worth reading the whole thing here. There are many yummy linked articles to enjoy as well. Racialicious is so robust–one could spend an entire day on a single post.
