"Hut one, hut two, big bitties, big butt too!"

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The lyrics in “Only” by Nicki Minaj, the #8 song on the billboard charts, reflects how prevailing stereotypes continue to restrain the agency of Black women. Rap music is permeated with rhetoric that suggests that black women still aim to solidify enduring stereotypes of the Jezebel. The Jezebel has traded places with the Mammy as the prevailing perception of black women in pop culture. Rappers portray poorly dressed black women who “twerk” to lyrics which often depict them as “hoes” and “bitches.” Unfortunately, it gradually gets easier to find black women, especially in the millennial generation, depicted as Jezebels whose only value is as sexual possessions. 

     The term Jezebel originated during slavery. It trademarked Black women as promiscuous and sexually immoral. This allegation served as reasons for them to be raped. Contemporary jezebels are most prevalent in pop culture through music and videos. In rap music, women are being “lyrically raped.” Although the industry is dominated by men, there are also female rappers who play into the stereotype as shown above. When will black women, especially those within the industry, stop conforming, accepting and producing these roles that continuously degrade the image of black women?