Will Hip Hop Be Affected by #MeToo?
I’ve never been so happy that a #TBT on Diddy didn’t age well. (Link has more live news for those that are following his demise in real tie. More on him later but I erroneously said he was likely to get away with it? Looks like he’s finally, seemingly getting his comeuppance. Money will do that when you owe But it begs the question of Will Hip Hop Be Affected by #MeToo? Has the time come for a new world order? This was a question posed by @niaspeaks on Facebook and I’m going to try to do my best to answer it. But it’s complicated. It’s nuanced. It’s hip hop! (cue Dana dancing to hip hop video)
Hip hop has always been a genre that thrives on status, pushing boundaries, and giving a voice to those whose lifestyle isn’t mainstream. But in recent years, the #MeToo movement has brought a cultural shift that has challenged many industries to reckon with their treatment of women and power dynamics. Now, the question looms: will hip hop finally be affected by #MeToo? For me it’s unlikely that #MeToo will hit hip hop too badly. No pun.
Historically, the genre has often been criticized for its portrayal of women and in particular Black women. Let’s be real, sometimes you can’t listen to the lyrics AND move to the rhythm. Pick your pleasure. It can hurt your soul. The glorification of objectification, casual misogyny, and the idea of women as accessories to fame and success is marked. But hip hop is also an art form deeply rooted in storytelling, often a raw reflection of the world and the artist’s environment. So it WAS art imitating life as opposed to life imitating art.
R. Kelly and P. Diddy
Let’s talk about the notorious bad boys in the (court) room: R. Kelly and P. Diddy. R. Kelly’s case was one of the most high-profile examples of R&B grappling with the #MeToo movement. His long history of sexual abuse allegations had been an open secret in the industry for decades, with his criminal trial leading to his conviction on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and child pornography. We all remember him dating and marrying a young Aaliyah. We all remember the peeing on a 15 year old video and him getting away with it. Yet, for years, his music continued to top charts, and his concerts were full.
It was only in the wake of the #MeToo movement, with documentaries like Surviving R. Kelly, his embarrassing interview with Gayle King and numerous attempts at indictment that fans and the industry finally took notice and began holding him accountable. Now that he’s behind bars, it begs the question: who’s next?
P Diddy. I won’t say much as I gave you my views on the penis power of P.Diddy (Sean Combs) already. But, he is another powerful figure whose name has been surrounded by allegations. His lavish lifestyle, parties and influence in the music industry have made him almost untouchable, yet accusations of abusive relationships and misconduct have lingered in the background for years. These cases show how deep-rooted misogyny and abuse can be hidden behind the glamour of the music business.
More Bad Boys
Trey Songz has been accused of sexual misconduct multiple times, while T.I. and his wife Tiny have faced similar accusations involving coercion and abuse. Additionally, Nelly, Chris Brown, Kodak Black, and Mystikal have all been accused of sexual assault or harassment, with some facing legal charges. Despite the severity of these allegations, many of these artists continue to thrive, underscoring the challenge of addressing abuse in the hip hop and RnB community.
Side note: I went to an R Kelly concert when I was 17. Guess I was already too old 😛. Plus he preys on Black girls who need resources and don’t have family support. My Dad would have been up that hotel room in a heartbeat with a sjambok talking about, she’s got A level mocks in 3 months. She needs to study. I am truly loved and protected.
The Cultural Blind Spot
For years, many have questioned why the #MeToo movement seemed to barely make a dent in hip hop, despite these allegations against high-profile artists. The reality is, while Hollywood and corporate spaces were being cleaned out, hip hop seemed to exist in a bubble. Perhaps it’s the cultural blind spot that comes with fame, power, and a legacy of unchecked behavior.
Hip hop’s unapologetic nature is part of its charm, but it’s also what has allowed some harmful behaviors to go unchecked. Younger audiences are starting to demand more accountability but some are defending bad behaviour. More on this in Black Women Protecting Hip Hop
Accountability: A Double-Edged Sword
There’s a fine line between artistic freedom and harmful behavior, and the #MeToo movement forces us to examine that line closely. Some argue that holding artists accountable for their actions doesn’t mean censoring their creativity but rather encouraging growth and evolution. Others worry that the movement could become a “witch hunt,” unfairly targeting artists from gold diggers and opportunists without due process.
Accountability doesn’t mean the death of hip hop. It could mean an evolution where artists feel the pressure to check their behavior off-stage, even as they maintain their lyrical edge. After all, if your bars can speak truth to power, why not make sure your actions align with those truths too?
The Lucky of Timing
Most of our beloved hip hop stars are pre mobile phones with cameras and internet so there is very little evidence to support victims / survivors claims on what really went down. We know that He Said, She Said tends to agree with what He Said! So a lot of the worst perpetrators have gotten lucky merely by the timing of the their success.
The Future of Hip Hop and #MeToo
There’s a new wave of artists who are breaking through the old stereotypes, challenging the status quo, and bringing fresh perspectives to the table. Rappers like Cardi B, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion are reclaiming their space, queer voices are finally being amplified, and the culture is shifting—albeit slowly. While hip hop may not have experienced a #MeToo reckoning on the same scale as other industries, the cracks are beginning to show.
Artists like Russell Simmons have faced their own #MeToo moments, with allegations that led him to step down from his companies. Yet, his impact and reputation still echo in the industry. This shows how difficult it is for #MeToo to fully uproot entrenched figures.
The truth is, hip hop is too big to ignore the movement forever. As fans, we hold a lot of power in demanding better from the artists we love. It’s time for the genre to evolve in a way that maintains authenticity whilst addressing the issues that #MeToo raises.
Let’s see if hip hop, much like its artists, can rise above and grow. Hip hop’s #MeToo moment may never TRULY happen but it’s getting harder to ignore.
© Chelsea Black ® 2024
