Alternative Representation Of Women In Hip-Hop

The above music video illustrates an alternative representation of women as the women of this music video are not shown to be decoration as they are positioned in the centre of the frame with the use of high key lighting which glamorous them and emphasise that they are protagonist of the music video. In addition the women of the music video are not shown to be sex object which are there use to appeal to the male gaze they are shown to be in control with their commanding body language and facial expressions which suggest that they are in powering themselves and the use of costume is not so revealing and not showing too much which could connotes that they are dressing up to look good for themselves and not to satisfy the male gaze. Furthermore there is not clear sign of fetishization as there doesn’t seem to be any phallic symbols illustrated in the mes-en-scene.  

The use of close up shots when the three women are raping shows them to be in have power over others as this is illustrated with the low angle shots which shows them looking down at us as they also directly look into the camera which connotes a first mode of address as this could outline that women have equal rights and are also allowed to express themselves in the same way men do.  In addition the lack of men in the mes-en-scene is very significant as stereotypically in hip-hop or rap music videos women are shown to outnumber the main artist whereas in this music video there is hardly any other female models then the ones that are performing as this also shows that the whole music video is not primary targeted at men and men are not there to subordinate or make the females in the music video look inferior by disrespecting them also suggesting that the music video doesn’t aim to appeal to the male gaze. 

The females in the music video are shown to be dominate with the use of black costume instead of red which would connotes danger and love they are wearing black which may connote mystery and as they are protagonist of the music video their names “Trina, Eve and Diamond” which suggest that they are not faceless women in the music video. It also suggest that they are not being highlighted as a commodity and not being sold for their sex appeal there is a bit more behind it the females in this music video are given a voice and positively representing other women and giving them a voice

Some would argue that the females in the music video are trying to take up a males role by coming across as forceful and aggressive but I feel that they are just taking up an alternative representation in the hip-hop/rap industry and they are choosing not to be subordinated and treated like sex objects as they subverts the stereotype attached to females in the hip-hop/ rap industry as being just decoration that stand in the background looking pretty dancing away. They have chosen to not show too much flesh and use close up shots to emphasise their legs or chest and be objectified.

Some would also argue that the hip-hop/rap industry is a male dominated genre this has been the case for many years and also historically speaking so this alternative representation of females in this music video is positive because if you look at the stereotypical lyrics of the hip-hop/ rap genre you will see that the lyrical language is derogatory and sexually exploiting women and portraying them as sex objects which the females in this music video seem to be challenging.