There are Bitches and Hoes

The Hip Hop Wars

There are Bitches and hoes

            On the subject of there are bitches and hoes, Tricia Rose, specifically talks about how most of the rap music consists of women being bitches and hoes. She also feels that when the women are referred to as being bitches and hoes the rappers are specifically pointing the fingers at the females in the black community. Tricia Rose makes many points about rap music referring to black women as bitches and hoes in their music.           

            To begin with, most of today rap music deals with females, drugs and how the society is today. The reason why most rappers speak upon these topics is because they are issues that happening as we speak and are easy to talk about. Tricia Rose specifically talks about how in the rap music the men rap about themselves being “pimps” having so many females. However, when a female has many males they don’t call it a pimp they call it as being a hoe. I agree with Tricia rose when she says that why women can’t have a good representation to be called when doing these actions like men had a good representation as being called a pimp.

In addition, Tricia Rose states, “Are they saying the issues brought up in their music are unimportant, less worthy of discussion?” They are important if they portray women in a certain way. Then, there are some women that don’t really care about how rappers rap about other women, like myself. I say this because I know it don’t pertain to me. The way women are talked about is how they act, dress and the things they do to men which I know things that they say in their songs I cannot see it relating to myself. However, Tricia Rose then made a statement about when people defend themselves this way they make it seem that labeling doesn’t heart all women, which I know it probably do. However, I never looked at it in the context that Tricia Rose was seeing it. Now, that I do I understand where she get her insights from. She then ties it down to that we shouldn’t only worry about defending ourselves but we should also worrying about defending others and helping them too, and she has a point.

Imitation 7 (2010): Drake Ft. T.I and Swiss Beats, Fancy

Assignment #9
Rap and Spoken Word

The song “Fancy” by Drake featuring T.I and Swiss Beats is about what they think is the typical female. They talk about how women think they are all that when they are looking their best. They use the word “fancy.” Basically when women get all dressed up, they think, they are on top of the world.

You getting ready so I know we gon be here awhile
in the bathroom flat irons and nail files
spending hours in salons on your hairstyle
in the mall steady racking up the air miles
hit the gym step on the scales stare at the number
you say you dropping 10 pounds preparing for summer
and you don't do it for the man, men never notice
you just do it for yourself you're the fucking coldest

I think this song is a boast, because Drake, T.I and Swiss beats all brag about how females brag when they pampered themselves. For example, Swiss Beats talks about how women think they are fancy when they have they “hair done, nails done, everything did.” I noticed that they talk as if they were the females considering themselves fancy.

The context of this song is basically a typical female lifestyle. The reason for Drake writing this song is to prove a point; that most females have similar things in common. For example, making sure everything is done nice from face down. He also probably wrote this so when his fans listen to it they can somehow relate to it. Most rappers rap about things others can relate to, I’ve noticed.

In this song the lyrics consist of many literary elements. For example, it has different rhyme schemes. In the eight bars above there is mainly end rhyme. However, Drake uses near rhyme also. For example, he rhymes “awhile,” “flies,” “hairstyle,” and “miles.” Even though miles and files rhyme together creating an end rhyme, but “awhile,” “flies,” “hairstyle,” and “miles” rhymes together creating a near rhyme, which I find clever. Also, in one of the verses T.I use assonance when rhymes champagne range in the same line. Another literary element I’ve noticed in this song is tone. The way the song is preform is using a lot of attitude. They sound like they are yelling trying to prove a point that no one seems to understand. In the end, they want everyone to realize and understand it.

Imitation 6 (2000s): Jay-Z Ft. Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind

Assignment #8
Rap and Spoken Word

The song “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys is about growing up in New York and some of the things you are likely to experience. He specifically talks about the things he likes, enjoys and some things he came across while living in New York City.

Yea I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in TriBeCa
right next to Deniro, but I'll be hood forever
I'm the new Sinatra, and... since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yea, they love me everywhere
I used to cop in Harlem, all of my Dominicano's
right there up on Broadway, pull me back to that McDonald's
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State St.
catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons with them Pastry's

I think this song is a boast, because in this song brags about how great New York City is and what living here in the city would be like. For example, Alicia Keys said that the streets will make you feel brand new and the big lights will inspire you.  She talks about how beautiful New York City is by the streets and big lights. Jay-Z also talks about New York City as being the best place to live.

The context of this song is basically where Jay-Z was growing up. The reason for him probably writing this is because he wants others to see where he came from and where he grew up at. Some people that maybe influenced him was Biggie, since he mentioned him during this song. They both grew up in the same area and made something out of themselves. He also probably wrote this song to give people the inside scoop of New York City; the pros and cons from his point of view.  

In this song Jay-Z uses a lot of literary elements. For example, he uses a rhyme scheme. In the eight bars above he uses cross rhyme, internal rhyme and end rhyme all at the same time. His cross rhyme is when he rhymes “here” with “anywhere.” Then his internal rhyme is when he rhymes “anywhere“ with “everywhere” and lastly his end rhyme is when he rhymes “here” with “everywhere.” As I read the lyrics along with the song I noticed that he does this pattern many times. Another literary element that is used in this song is narrative story. He talks about where her grew up at and where he live now and this things he do in New York City Lastly, he has rhythm in the song ; referring back to the eight bars above he stressed the syllables of “Dominicano’s” so when you read it you’ll be able to see that it rhymes with “McDonalds.”