darkest.hue: Trigger warning: mentions of extreme violence against women and girls
Part 1/3 (more content to come on this matter)
Note: Although it should go without saying, here are some obvious truths: hip-hop the genre is not innately violent and misogynistic and neither are Black man. Also, hip-hop is not the only genre with abusive men, and the music industry is not the only industry in entertainment with abusive men.
For years now, Black women have been calling for hip- hop to have its "Me Too" reckoning (see recommended readings). Calls have recently reignited following singer Cassie's civil lawsuit against ex-boyfriend Diddy, where she alleges years of r*pe, domestic violence, and sex tr*fficking.
Many were rightfully stunned, horrified, and heartbroken by Cassie's vulnerable account, with many demanding the entire industry be finally held accountable for its pattern of violence against women. But is any of this really that surprising when we consider the way mainstream hip-hop talks about women, particularly Black women? Is it all that surprising when we consider the toxic loyalty and blind allegiance male rappers have to each other? Or the wealth of resources these men have at their disposal to control and harm women all the while flying under the radar? Or the world's disregard for the safety and protection of their Black women/girl victims?
Let's discuss.
Recommended readings for further investigation:
Ms.Magazine: "Black Women, Hip-Hop and #MeToo: 'On the Record' Spotlights Music Industry" by Janell Hobson
Buzzfeed News: "Will Time Ever Be Up For Abusive Men In Hip-Hop?" by Sylvia Obell "Confessions of Video Vixen" by Karrine Steffans
Vox: "Megan Thee Stallion, Me Too, and hip-hop's cycle of misogynoir" by Fabiola Cineas
Timeline knows what's up because Samantha was specifically talkin about Chris Brown, likely because of this announcement. Srsly, fuck this guy. Cancel culture never existed. This man has never even had a bad day.
It's always fuck Chris Brown around here. I don't know what these industry women don't see or ignore for the sake of a potential hit (or possibly under pressure from their label) but no woman who collaborates with him or coddles him or defends him will make me change my mind. This man is a serial abuser. Never suffered a single consequence where his career is concerned. He's only gotten more successful over the years, and women - the majority of his fanbase and his many woman collaborators - are largely responsible for his success. Now, that's some true internalized misogyny.