Misogyny in rap music

Misogyny in rap music is defined as lyrics, videos, or other components of rap music that endorse or legitimizes the objectification, exploitation, or victimization of women. It include innuendos, stereotyping, and defamatory portrayals of women.

Content analyses have found that approximately 22% to 37% of rap lyrics contain content classified by researches as misogynistic, varying by subgenre. Adams and Fuller state that there are six themes that are considered to be misogynistic rap: derogatory statements about women related to sex; comments linking malicious actions against women in relation to sex; portrayals of women as the sources for men's problems; depictions of women as exploitative of men; statements suggesting women are inferior to men; and statements suggesting women are disposable to men. A study of Detroit-based rapper Eminem's third studio album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) found instances of misogyny in eleven of the fourteen songs on his record. Other analyses note recurring elements such as the use of derogatory terms ("bitch" and "ho(e)"), sexual objectification of women, normalizing violence against women, distrust of women, disparagement of sex workers, and the glorification of pimping.

Scholars have offered various explanations for the presence of misogyny in rap music. Some have argued that rap artists use misogynistic lyrics and portrayals of women as a way to assert their masculinity and authenticity within the genre Others argue that it reflects broader societal attitudes toward women, and that rap artists have internalized negative stereotypes about women. Economic perspectives suggest that rappers use misogynic content can be commercially advantageous.

Responses to misogyny in hip hop music have ranged from criticism by women's rights activists, student protests, organized campaigns, and a 2007 congressional hearing. Some women rap artists have opposed misogyny through their music or advocacy efforts. In one study, women rappers accounted for only five of ninety misogynistic songs, as well as an additional 8 songs (out of the remaining 313) that did not have misogynistic lyrics. "The scarcity of women artists shows just how male- dominated rap was during this time, especially at the platinum level".