Written by: Prashraya Shrestha - 26014, Grade X
Posted on: 04 August, 2023
Rap music is a form of music which focuses on the lyrics and how they rhyme. Rap music exploded in popularity during the 1970s. When we think of rap music we usually think of black male artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott and Chris Brown. But nowadays, the involvement of female rappers in the mainstream media has increased significantly. Some people may argue that they are getting more attention than male artists today.
The rap industry is regarded as one of the most sexist industries in hollywood. Usually female rappers receive a lot of hate than male artists. Especially in the NYC drill rap industry. NYC drill music is a sub-genre of music based in Brooklyn, NYC. It usually focuses on shooting and the dangerous upbringing and racism the black community has faced. In this industry there is little to no trace of women but how did ‘Ice Spice’, a fairly new upcoming artist rise to the top of this industry?
Ice Spice is a female rap artist who has amassed a huge following through her NYC drill rap music. Even though she attended a private school and had good education she has managed to climb up to the top of the industry which is highly surrounded with guns, crime and murder. Ice Spice’s music is usually based on how her attractiveness can make men buy her anything and that as an attractive woman she does not have to work. This is very uncommon in drill rap but somehow her song ‘Munch’ topped the billboard hot 100s and was the most popular drill rap of 2022.
This caused a big controversy in the industry. Many people disregarded her talent in rap by saying that her popularity was because of her attractiveness as her music videos are very sexual and inappropriate but the argument remains, does this disregard her talent? Male rappers have been using sexual and inappropriate imagery especially of women, for marketing and publicity for years but when a female does it, it’s immoral and questions about her talents are raised. Even though I believe pretty privilege in the music industry is a real thing due to examples like Justin Bieber, Drake, and many more artists. I do not think her appearance is all that she has to offer. They’re just an extra zing.
Her songs have genuine talent and her freestyles have also gained popularity and she has proved that she is not famous just because of her personality with her song ‘Boys a Liar pt 2’ reaching the billboard top 100s again but people are still stuck the stereotype that women cannot rap nor be popular in the industry. In conclusion, I would like to say that female rappers should deserve the same opportunities as male rappers and Ice Spice is a prime example of why we should. Let’s not uphold the double standards be it in the music industry or anywhere else.
