Untitled Essay

JaKendra Hardmon Professor Harris ENGL 2017 April 19, 2026 When women first started rapping, they weren't accepted so easily. They faced backlash and faced some barriers that were kind of hard to break.Based on a reading that I was reading by Adeerya Johnson titled “ Dirty South Feminism: The Girlies Got Somethin’ to Say Too! Southern Hip-Hop Women Fighting Respectability, Talking Mess and Twerking Up the Dirty South” she talked how women in the South made a way for themselves and how some were questioned on what he ladylike, but instead of listening to others they embraced their style of performing. This goes on for years and today it still is a main topic and issue.Even though the reading is mostly about women from the south, women all over inspired women in the south. In 1976 a woman named Sha Rock started her career and by 1979 she was considered the first female MC in hip-hop on vinyl. Before her there was the first female group called Mercedes Ladies. They watched male rappers like Grandmaster Flash perform and wanted to make change. They created their own records and made themselves noticed all by themselves. They paved the way for all the female rappers today. As usual the men wanted them to not make it, but once they heard them it was a different thought. The songs that I will play will mostly be women taking over their identity and fighting for their respect. Track 1 Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, TLC, MC Lyte, Nefertiti, Salt-N-Pepa, Patra, Meshell Ndegeocello - Freedom. This song shows black women rejecting stereotypes and uses different sounds. Track 2 Queen Latifah- U.N.I.T.Y. This song addresses feminism, respect, and identity. While Mia X says b**** in her song, Queen Latifah thought it was disrespectful to call a woman a “Bitch”. Track 3 Mia X- Tru B*****. This song serves as a text in Southern hip-hop by showing the typical expectation of women in the south and showing that aggressive tone. Track 4 Gangsta Boo- Mask 2 My face. This song contributed to feminism and identity by making the way for women in the south that kept it real and wanted respect without being too soft. Track 5 Missy Elliott- Work It. This song shows that women don't have to be modest and express themselves. Track 6 Crime Mob- Stilettos(Pumps). This song shows that women can act jazzy and nasty at the same time. Track 7 Trina- Da Baddest B****. This song fully embraced sexual and financial independence. She used language that often was used to degrade women. Track 8 Megan Thee Stallion/ Beyonce- Savage(remix). This song reclaimed terms used to insult black women. They showed that they can control their identity. Track 9 GloRilla- Yeah Glo!. For Black women in the South, particularly those from the hood, this song is a strong anthem of self-affirmation and wealth. Track 10 Latto- B**** from Da Souf. This song centers on being from the South and being proud about it. She denies the common misconception that Southern women are not as powerful in hip-hop. Track 11 Monaleo and Flo Milli- We Not Humping. This song challenges sexual norms by encouraging choice and consent. Control over your own body and choices is the answer. Track 12 Flippa T- Affirmations. This song centers on self-definition. Track 13 Omeretta the Great- Mr.Right. This song flips the dynamic and helps women set standards with men. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLvcGkTg6dXGxkW1tglQZiYuPtmTeD8NJ&si=Kyg1gaIGTaYLPo55

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