How #WAP Exposes the double standards in Hip-Hop and Black culture by Addam Francisco

Hip-hop as we know it has been controversial since it's inception into mainstream society in the late 1980s. Over the last 30 years, society has gotten more vulgar, more revealing, and less conservative when it comes to language, sexuality, and everyday behavior. Hip-hop music that I couldn't listen to when I was growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s will probably be some of the only hip-hop I'll let my children listen to a decade from now. 

The art form is not all bad. It's not all controversial. There are plenty of artists that release quality content that promotes the advancement of the African-American community. Many artists shine a light on current situations in the world and our country, both negative and positive. Think of Wale's latest EP titled The Imperfect Storm for reference. Most of those projects tend to fly under the radar, and the projects that promote drugs, violence, sex, and all the superficial things in life are what's heard by the masses. It's something I don't like about the industry, but I'll be the first to say that 'WAP' by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion deserves no more criticism than the hip-hop that we hear every single day.

You don't have to search very far for a full catalog of songs that talk about criminal activity, violence, drugs, or exploiting women. A large percentage of artists base their entire identity on one of the topics I just mentioned, and the vast majority of them are male. Do we publicly shame NLE Choppa for his new song 'Murda Talk'? No. Lil Boosie has three songs on one album from 10 years ago that promotes both violence and sex. It's just the norm in hip-hop and has been for a while.

"That song just came across my feed, I listened to it, and I'm just like...that's a prime example of what's wrong with a lot of these women and their mindset," said Kollege Kid on Twitter. "Sitting there praising that bulls**t. The entire song was about p***y, man. The entire song."

Why isn't he just as outraged with the numerous songs that male artists release that promote the same thing? Is he just as concerned about our young black boys looking up to a lot of these rappers like he says he is with young black girls? If so, why was 'WAP' in 2020 the straw that broke the camels back when detrimental messages in hip-hop have been flowing freely for two or three decades?

It's because there has always been a double standard when it comes to women expressing their sexuality. When men do the same, it's understood because, you know, 'men will be men.' When a man verbally exploits a woman, it's understood because 'it's just locker room talk. It's just me and my fellas.' Trust me, I know. I've made the same excuses when I'm casually talking with my boys.

I'm a fan of hip-hop. I love the way it sounds. I've often been critical of the topics that artists rap about, but I still listen to it every day. While society must do a better job of separating art from real life, it's also essential that these artists recognize their platform and how important their words are. At some point, they are going to have to be held responsible for validating negative stereotypes used against our community. We can't have it both ways. We can't complain about being unfairly treated or negatively stereotyped, then turn around and continue to glorify the exact things we're negatively stereotyped for. That's not how we initiate change.

We have to lead by example on all fronts, even if that means sacrificing the glorification of artists that we've grown to adore. I'm not the mean man telling everyone, including myself, to stop listening to hip-hop music that promotes violence, drug use, sex, and other taboo topics. I'm the liberal voice that's telling you to choose a side and stick to it. Listen to what you want to listen to, watch what you want to watch, but helping promote it to the masses is a different story. We also can't control what artists do, but maybe if we stop glorifying their messages, they'll get it.

One thing is for sure, and one thing is for certain, though. Gender has absolutely nothing to do with any of this. If Megan and Cardi are disrespecting themselves and setting a poor example for young girls, then male artists are more of a detriment to young men.

Story by Addam Francisco. For my from Addam and Grand Gents, follow @SuaveFrancisco_, @TheSuaveReport, @GrandGentlemen