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Will Hip-Hop Ever Accept A White Female Rapper?

Posted on February 6th, 2015
by
Staff Editor


Over the last half decade or so, the “white girl rapper” role hasn’t been properly filled in hip-hop, with many wondering why the culture hasn’t accepted one. White male rappers have come to fit in the genre with ease, but the females have come up short of acceptance. The answer is actually pretty simple: majority don’t understand the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation. With all that is going on in America these days, certain issues are definitely increasing racial tensions more and more. As hip-hop music is meant to be an outlet, or even an escape, for those to address the subjects at hand, it has been doing the job beautifully. The culture that has brought so much unity to the world, in many areas, is now the factor that is completely separating ignorant white people from educated black artists, as it should be. Unfortunately for white artists, or even fans, who can be considered educated, it’s very easy for them to be categorized amongst the ignorance at just first glance. Personally, I can’t say that I blame the hip-hop community for feeling this way.

Iggy Azalea has certainly started digging an ignorant grave for herself in the past few months, and she’s helped drag along majority of the white female community with her. Although she doesn’t classify herself as a music maker in the hip-hop category directly, she has recognized herself as part of the genre by winning an American Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop album. As a white female, myself, I can relate to Iggy as far as the hip-hop fandom that she expresses, but that’s about it. Of course it would be incredible to just be thrown into discussions with some of the names I grew up listening to, but if the means behind why I’m discussed are not justified, I simply can’t let that happen as a genuine hip-hop fan.

White females in hip-hop have never seemed to represent themselves properly in this genre, and it’s time for that to change. Not saying that every white female rapper has to come from the same stereotypical place, and act the same stereotypical way, but being part of a genre influenced by black culture comes with certain respectful guidelines. V-Nasty, for instance, was a perfect example of going against the grain, and not in a good way. Granted, she grew up in some rougher areas of Oakland, but that does not give any white female a pass to publicly declare their use of the n-word, as she did. Her career has come and gone quite quickly since her and Kreayshawn were coming up in 2012, which may be mostly due to their crossing of boundaries.

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4 responses to “Will Hip-Hop Ever Accept A White Female Rapper?”

  1. velvet rope" says:

    “Don’t try to become the culture, just be part of it. Appreciate it, show love all you want, but don’t inherit it like it was yours to begin with”

    BUT NOBODY “ONWS” A CULTURE.NOBODY CAn “owns” a culture NOBODY “OWNS” HIP HOP

  2. AllRight says:

    Kesha’s not a rapper but she has been lauded by many in the hip hop community for the little rapping she’s done. Her song Sleazy was very well received by many in hip hop and Kesha became the first white woman to appear solo on the cover of Vibe magazine. So yes, white women are accepted when they’re respectful, thought to be talented and not racist. Iggy’s not accepted due to her arrogance, racist tweets and lack of talent.

  3. Jadde Turk says:

    Acceptance is one of the problems yes. But for me the bigger question is why exactly can’t a white female hip hop artist ever be relevant for longer than a few seconds? Iggy, Kesha, Krayshawn (or however you spell her damn name lol). Personally none of the previously mentioned artists are outstanding to me. Not saying they’re not good, just not iconic.

    I do think there’s room for a white girl to “kill the game” (in a good way of course). Whoever and wherever she is, she will be 100% comfortable with herself. She’ll have to be cause let’s face it, she’s gonna be judged. She’s gotta convince the genre that she’s not “just some white girl” and she obviously needs to have enough common sense to know that she can’t blurp out the N-word. But if she can stand her ground without being racist even though she’s a target of prejudice herself as a white female rapper I think she’d gain some respect. If she has some real shit to say about whatever her background is, she’ll be able to connect. There’s only one requirement: realness. If hip hop fans feel she’s a fraud or poser it’s a wrap.

    This can’t help but to make me wonder why exactly the hip hop realm accepts white male rappers and hip hop artists. Is it cause of past rappers like Eminem? Is it cause their dudes? Double standards perhaps? idk

    You may not be able to literally own hip hop or culture but all cultures influence one another in some way shape or form contributing to culture, hip hop, and other aspects of life. Only time will tell if the world is ready for a female Eminem.

  4. luccy suave says:

    im glad it wasnt someone black who wrote this dumbass article. we as black people dont have problem with a white rapper period. that was never the issue..be gone with that stupid ass title