Words by Marisol “Pinqy Ring” Vélez (@PinqyRing)
Windy City Women is a weekly series by FSD correspondent Marisol “Pinqy Ring” Vélez
Male rappers: How tired are you of not being recognized for your talent because of your gender? Of constantly being compared to the only other male rapper in the industry? Of not being able to make the hit record you know you’re capable of on a producer’s bangin’ beat, or not being able to get that famous rapper’s feature on a track, all because you’re not willing to lay on your back for it? Of having to prove yourself more than women when it comes to rap prowess? Of getting hit on by numerous people who claim they have the key to your success in the industry? Or, of having to overtly sexualize yourself for the sake of “saving” your music?
…Oh. This doesn’t happen to you?
(Though, if it did, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind the “sleeping with” or “getting hit on” part.)
Being a woman in rap isn’t as easy as it looks. Hell, being a woman in anything isn’t easy. But, once in a while you find some fierce femcees brave enough to pick up a mic and fly through those pre-established (and sexist) Hip-Hop hurdles. (I apologize, in advance, to Psalm One for using the term “femcee.” It fit for alliteration purposes.)
Too often, though, some of those same women rappers who hurdle through are still ushered into the game by a male rapper. We all know the formula: Remy Martin, Big Pun. Lil’ Kim, Biggie. Foxy Brown, Nas. (And Jay Z.) DMX, Eve. Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj. The list goes on. After making it because they fell in a male rapper’s good graces, they then have to fit into one of two ends of the woman rapper spectrum: rap sex kitten, or thugged out misses. Either they are the symbol of sex for men, or that ride or die chick pulling pistols with him — or sometimes both. It seems that woman rappers have to jump through so many hurdles that in the end there is barely any breath left for that hot 16. The formula is pre-set, and often it seems to fit, but are we women rappers strictly determined by it?
The “Windy City Women” series means to answer the question: How do Chicago rappers of the female variety function within several contexts of oppression? Each week, a new woman rapper will be interviewed, celebrated, and asked critical questions to unpack and lay out the problem of marginalization and the lack of a defined presence. It’s clear that sexism, misogyny, patriarchy and male privilege are present, but do men (and, hell, even women) understand the woman MCs agenda? And how, then, do we work together to champion that agenda and celebrate the wonder women of Chicago for a more unified and unquestionable Midwest voice?
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This was a great article, it is very hard for woman in the industry oppossed to males. And as she said theirs only on top spot and when you collabe you want to go harder then the others striving for the best is all you can do. And good luck to all woman rappers out there keep doing what you do and we gotta keep Chicago on top 🙂
I think there’s more than one spot. How are the more spots for the fellas? We gotta make this status quo equal, and the only way to do is is what you said – Striving for the best and putting out good material! Thanks for reading. 🙂
You know…now that I think of it, Missy is the only female rapper I can think of that doesn’t look like she’s about to strip while she’s performing. Just like women have had to fight to be taken seriously in every other industry, we’re gona have to fight for this one too mamas…
Yeah, it’s about respectability. The problem is sex sells, and sometimes people have to do what they can to get that spot and then (hopefully) champion equality in music. Functioning within double oppressions is hella hard to do!
Yo this article was a nie read for my lunch today!! Meek is if not my favorite, one of my favorite rappers from Chicago. A
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed your lunch. Meek is dope and these articles will ONLY champion the DOPEST! 🙂
On the 2nd page ( I think), it says shes from Harvey, Indiana…… I don’t know if it was a mistake or on purpose, but FIX THAT SHIT!!! Im offended…… HARVEY WORLD USA – the illest side of town…
That was an editing mistake. Hope you liked the rest of the article, tho. 😉
iONLY read the 1st page of this article AND yes i’ll read the rest eventually BUT here’s what iWantD to add iALWAYS HAVE AND will support woman in HipHop/The Rap Game for these 1 FACT ALONE ☞ They (Women) Be Killing MOST these ni〷as NBS!!!!!…… & if you dont KNOW her TINK G Pinqy YOU BULLSHITN #Str8LikeDat !!!! #MYFAVORITE ijs……iTsᗷᗺᗷiTCHGiTUSETOiT ✌ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ @BUSHBIGBIZNESS
meek is bad, her mixtape was dope, this article is nice too, its a good day at fakeshoredrive