Women in Hip Hop
Who is considered the "First Lady of Rap," known for her bold lyrics and fashion in the 1980s?
Roxanne Shanté
What is one sign of hip hop’s commercialization in the 1990s?
Mainstream record deals for artists like Tupac and Biggie.
Name one non-African American hip hop artist who gained prominence in the 2000s.
Eminem.
What literary device is common in hip hop lyrics?
Metaphor or rhyme.
Name one social issue addressed in hip hop lyrics.
Poverty, racism, or police brutality.
Name one way women in hip hop challenged gender stereotypes in the 1990s.
Artists like Queen Latifah promoted empowerment and self-respect (e.g., “U.N.I.T.Y.”).
Name a brand that heavily used hip hop in advertising during the early 2000s.
Sprite or Nike.
How did Latinx artists contribute to hip hop’s diversity in the late 20th century?
introduced unique musical styles, cultural elements, and narratives into the genre. They shaped hip hop's sound, from introducing Latin-infused beats and bilingual lyrics to influencing its social and political consciousness.
Name a hip hop song that uses storytelling like a novel.
“Stan” by Eminem.
How did Public Enemy’s music address social issues in the 1980s?
Songs like “Fight the Power” criticized systemic racism and inequality.
How did Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) influence perceptions of women in hip hop?
It blended hip hop, soul, and reggae, showcasing intellectual depth and challenging hyper-sexualized stereotypes.
How did the rise of music videos on MTV impact hip hop’s commercialization?
It increased visibility but often emphasized materialism and stereotypes to appeal to broader audiences.
Describe one effect of diversity on hip hop’s global reach in the 21st century.
the rise of hybrid and localized expressions of hip hop culture. This means that hip hop music and style are not simply adopted wholesale but are creatively adapted to fit the specific cultural contexts of different regions.
How does hip hop relate to the oral tradition in literature?
It uses rhythm and rhyme to pass down stories, similar to ancient griots.
Describe a changing view on crime in hip hop from the 1990s to the 2010s.
1990s gangsta rap often glorified crime; 2010s artists like J. Cole critiqued its root causes.
Describe a socio-cultural barrier women faced in hip hop during the late 20th century.
Women faced misogyny and limited media exposure, often being pressured to conform to sexualized images.
Explain one economic concern tied to hip hop’s commercialization in the 21st century.
Independent artists struggled to compete with major labels, leading to less creative control.
How did diversity in hip hop challenge stereotypes about the genre?
Diverse artists broke the perception that hip hop was only for African American communities, broadening its cultural narratives.
Connect a 1990s hip hop album to a literary theme studied in class.
Illmatic by Nas explores coming-of-age themes, like The Catcher in the Rye.
How did hip hop address discrimination in the 21st century?
Artists like Beyoncé (“Formation”) highlighted racial and gender discrimination, promoting activism.
Analyze how Nicki Minaj’s work in the 21st century reflects changing views on gender in hip hop.
she altered hip-hop's perception of gender, challenging traditional norms and paving the way for new female voices. She did this by embracing a "Barbie" persona, showcasing diverse talents, and leveraging her sexuality while simultaneously pushing for greater equality and respect in the industry.
Analyze how commercialization affected the authenticity of hip hop culture by the 2010s.
Commercialization brought wealth but diluted cultural roots, with some artists prioritizing trends over social commentary.
Analyze how Kendrick Lamar’s work reflects diversity in hip hop’s storytelling.
Lamar’s albums like To Pimp a Butterfly blend jazz, funk, and Compton narratives, showcasing cultural and musical diversity.
Analyze how hip hop lyrics from the 2000s reflect the socio-cultural role of literature.
Hip hop lyrics from the 2000s served as a powerful form of socio-cultural literature, reflecting and shaping societal narratives through their lyrical content. Rappers used their music to expose injustices, challenge dominant ideologies, and create a space for marginalized voices, solidifying hip hop's role as a mirror and a lens through which society could examine itself.
Analyze how hip hop’s portrayal of poverty has evolved since the 1980s
Early hip hop (e.g., Grandmaster Flash) depicted poverty’s struggles; modern artists like Chance the Rapper focus on solutions like community investment.