Women in Hip-Hop: From Video Vixen to Rap Star

Written By Ava de Courtivron

“Radio HBIC”

Video Vixen —-> One of the Boys——>Fighting For a Seat——> Hot Girl——-> Pussy Rap——>Experimentation——> maybe Protest music?


While Hip-Hop & Rap music isn’t a one to one comparison or representation of the third wave feminist movement in its entirety, especially as it has only recently attracted attention from white, middle class Americans, the way in which women have been depicted and interacted with the genre over the last 40 years speaks to a multitude of cultural shifts in the way women are being viewed and viewing themselves. Women, namely black women, have been infused in the ‘Rap star’ culture since its inception; if not as a rapper themselves yet, then as the object of desire that is ubiquitous in the industry to this day: the video vixen. While there is a lot that can be said about the general misogynoir in the stereotype of a video vixen, it is undeniable that these women, and their effortless seduction, walked so today’s rap girls like Megan thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Monaleao could run.

References & Further Reading:

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-female-rappers-who-shaped-hip-hop/

Ava de Courtivron

Ava de Courtivron is a French American multidisciplinary artist from Connecticut and has lived in Paris since 2016. She has worked in film and digital photography, oil painting, printmaking, poetry/creative writing, and most recently, analog collage. After taking a break from visual art to pursue her bachelor’s degree at The American University of Paris, she rediscovered her love of creating and self-expression through art after graduating in 2021 and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to working on her own art, she also works as the Head of Online Content & Community Management at Popout Zine, where she helps develop the online blog as well as reach out and maintain meaningful relationships with artists and distributors.

https://www.lacompasseresse.com/
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The Feminist History of Collage (Part 3)