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HYPOTHESIS:
Has the exploitation of women and materialistic values in the genre of rap music videos become a requirement for black hip hop artists in order to gain a sense of identity, image and power?


The criticism of the way rap music portrays women is nothing new. Ever since its formation in the 1970's, and even more so to this day there has been criticism for its negative portrayal of women. Despite peoples beliefs that women are supposedly rising in status throughout the media, this does not seem to be true within the rap and hip-hop industry. Shocking and explicit lyrics have resulted in rap artists being charged for indecent language. The young audience of mainly black teenage boys said to be influenced by such negative representations, has created controversy around the question of exactly where and who the blame now lies with. Perhaps the rap music industry is to blame for tapping into the male minds desire for authority, image and supremecy, as a result of poverty, racism and discrimination. This has not only made it fashionable for young men, but also empowering for them to degrade women in this way. Through this study I aim to uncover the reasons why men in rap find it necessary to gain a sense of power through indulging in the very acts that earn women in hip-hop their derogatory labels.