Join hip-hop scholar Jason England, who teaches at Carnegie Mellon, and journalist Kiana Fitzgerald, the author of "Ode to Hip Hop," as they dive into hip-hop's 50th anniversary. They discuss how the genre grapples with its legacy of misogyny and anti-LGBTQ sentiment while highlighting the important role women play in its evolution. England points out the crisis of authenticity hip-hop faces today, and Fitzgerald shares insights on the changing dynamics and challenges female artists encounter. Together, they inspire a call for inclusivity and meaningful change in the industry.
Hip-hop's midlife crisis has left it as an empty shell of its radical roots.
The rise of female artists in hip-hop is challenging traditional norms but there is still a long way to go in terms of inclusivity and confronting the genre's historical misogyny and homophobia.
Deep dives
Hip Hop at 50: A Critical Look at its Current State
In this podcast episode, Hip Hop's 50th anniversary is explored, with a critical examination of its current state. The celebration and coverage of Hip Hop's anniversary has been largely positive and nostalgic, but the host questions whether the genre is actually in a bad place. The episode delves into the corporatization of Hip Hop, the decline in chart-topping rap, and the genre's failure to reckon with its history of misogyny and homophobia. Critics and academics discuss Hip Hop's midlife crisis, its deviation from its radical roots, and the need for the genre to confront its flaws.
Hip Hop's Midlife Crisis: A Critical Analysis
This podcast episode discusses Hip Hop's midlife crisis and its departure from its radical origins. The episode examines how the genre has become more corporate and less focused on its political and cultural impact. It highlights examples such as Lil Wayne rapping for a Hip Hop anniversary event at the Vice President's residence and KRS-One's freestyle for a former cop turned mayor. The episode also critiques top male rappers who continue to perpetuate misogyny and homophobia. Ultimately, the episode questions whether Hip Hop's current state is sustainable.
Women and Queer People in Hip Hop: Progress and Challenges
This podcast episode addresses the progress and challenges faced by women and queer people in Hip Hop. It highlights the rise of female artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doja Cat, who are dominating the charts and challenging traditional norms. However, it also acknowledges the immense pressure placed on women in the industry to conform to specific standards of appearance and behavior. The episode explores how the genre still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity and addressing its historical misogyny and homophobia.
The Need for Change in Hip Hop's Treatment of Women and Queer People
This podcast episode emphasizes the need for change in how Hip Hop treats women and queer people. It criticizes prominent male rappers like Drake for their offensive lyrics and behavior towards women. The episode examines hip hop's historic mistreatment of women and queer individuals, acknowledging that progress has been made but much work is still needed. It calls for artists to take responsibility for their past and present actions and for the industry to become more inclusive and diverse in order to truly move forward.
So much of the coverage of hip-hop’s 50th birthday has been congratulatory, in spite of its record of misogyny and anti-LGBTQ sentiment. In this episode of Into It, host Sam Sanders talks to journalist Kiana Fitzgerald about how the women of hip-hop are leading the way today, and he catches up with hip-hop scholar Jason England, who argues hip-hop's midlife crisis has left an empty shell of what the genre once was.