BET’s new documentary, “My Mic Sounds Nice” aired tonight, and let me first say congratulations to BET.  As a network, I feel that BET ‘s shows a lot of time only helps to deepen the negative stereotypes associated with people of color.  Maybe a little harsh, but that’s how I feel—we have shows like “Frankie and Neffie” or “Tiny and Toya” and etc, and despite the little bit of humor they provide they lack a clear substance and direction.  But tonight, with this series which basically intended to highlight women’s role in hip-hop including the differences in how the industry markets female artists and how hip-hop music has influenced them. I think it was very will done.

Featuring commentary from female emcees: Mc Lyte, Salt & Peppa, Missy Elliot, Jean Grae, Eve, Diamond, Lady Rage, Yo-Yo, Ty Phoneix, Roxanne and etc, as well as commentary from male figures in hip-hop ?uestlove, Kevin Liles, Smokey D. Fontaine, Swizz Beatz and Chuck D.   I think the documentary shed light on a lot of things that hip-hop lovers know, but I think the way they were addressed was very dope and beautifully done.

First, I had no idea that Angie Stone was a rapper in a group called The Sequence.   The Sequence was a female hip-hop group that was actually the second rap group signed to the Sugar Hill Record Label and they had a hit single in 1980 “Funk You Up” that was number fifteen in US—so interesting.

The documentary highlighted the tremendous shift and void that is present in hip-hop music today.  Initially, hip-hop in the 80’s, as Smokey Fontaine lays out, was more authentic and natural – less manufactured.  There were key figures like, Queen Latifah, Salt and Peppa and Mc Lyte—who inevitably shaped what hip-hop as a female was supposed to come. This was the time when I feel women ultimately we’re whole girl power, dominating and knew what it was that they wanted.  We had Mc Lyte telling us she wanted a “Ruff Neck,” Queen Latifah claiming, “Ladies First,” and Salt & Pepper telling men to “Push It.”   This voice changed when the 90’s hit.

The documentary highlights the fact that in the 90’s females in hip-hop were on the rise, but masculinity and sexuality came into the equation.  First, they essentially spoke about the fact that a lot of women who made it big in hip-hop, became household names from being apart of a “camp” as the token female.  This was true, and I guess until watching the documentary, I never noticed this fact.  There was Eve as part of Ruff Ryders, Lady Rage as part of Death Row, Charlie Baltimore as part of Murder Inc, Lil Kim as part of Bad Boy and this list and pattern continued.  Some equated this to finding the balance between chivalry and sexism, I think it’s a little of both depending on the way you look at it.

Secondly, they addressed the fact that in the 90’s the representation of women in hip-hop was more sexual.  We saw Lil Kim and Foxy Brown, using sexuality to become the focal points at that time—they did rap well however.  One quote in particular that stood out to me was, when Yo-Yo said, “…I was just feeling like wow, what do I do now when she’s swallowing a coke bottle with her kitty cat.”

I like the fact that they addressed the phenomena that was Missy Elliot.  I still feel and believe that she as a creative genius, whether you liked her music or not.  I think Missy had/has every area of music covered—lyrics, production, and she has this appeal that makes her seem larger to life then life to me, yet planted on the ground.  Also, I think she realizes the fact that being a great artists has more to do than just being appealing to the ear, it has to be visually appealing and she covers that with her music videos.

I also appreciate the fact that they addressed Lauryn Hill, and I loved the emotion that ?uestlove had when speaking about her.  As I mentioned in previous post, I’m a huge Lauryn Hill fan—like to see her perform at least once live was on my Musical Bucket List leading to why I was so disappointed when I saw her at Rock The Bells, and she wasn’t great.  They talked about how she inspired so many female emcees with her music—and how essentially her decade long hiatus is essentially a musical tragedy.  She was delicately able to connect so many different ideas; spirituality, hood, and hip-hop, which made her a classic fixture.  Some quotes that stood out in particular during her segment were:

“One person’s decade break, is one movements drought or tsunami.” – ?uestlove

“She was the gem of the 90’s ad the gem of rap music and hip-hop”- Chuck D

“She gets respect in the world for creating her own Destiny.” – Mc Lyte.

Good documentary, kudos to BET.  I think there is a clear void present right now with females not being present in hip-hop, with clear standouts: Nikki Minaj.  I believe females in hip-hop do still exist, I see great examples in the Bay Area alone, Josie Stingray of The Honor Roll Crew is dope, also 40.Love a duo coming out of San Francisco combining hip-hop and R&B, I wonder if females in hip-hop just aren’t as marketable anymore if they don’t exploit themselves sexually for their fan base.

Make sure you read this article by my friend Niema Jordan (@NiemaJordan) about the timeline of female’s in hip-hop here.