Feministic Perspective to Drake’s “Hotline Bling”
In 2015, a phenomenon spurred amongst the women of social media, centering the rapper, saying, “Drake wouldn’t treat me this way.” It may be a valid inference given that most of Drake’s most popular songs center around women, absent of the traditional misogyny assigned rap. His career as a singing-rapper also has given him a softer effect than the traditional, hardened, early 2000s view of hip hop rappers. He is a Jewish, Canadian rapper which still thrives in a “hardcore” area of music with is constant appeal to women. He embodies the perfect expression of a woman’s ideal. For example, the lyrics from his earliest hit, ”Best I Ever Had,” demonstrate the artist’s ability to swoon women into …show more content…
He expresses that there was need for him and it is lost. “Love” can also be interpreted as sexual intimacy. Given that definition, that “one thing” is no longer “love” but something he does not approve. Laster interprets the line as evidence of this woman realizing how mesmerizing her body can be which speaks to the negative response to women’s sexuality that can exist when it is not approved by the man. Also, Drake says later in the song, “Wonder if you bendin’ over backwards for someone else/…Doing things I taught you getting nasty for someone else.” This further exhibits the sexist attitudes toward women’s sexuality. He notates that intimacy is done for someone else and not for her own pleasure. Laster interprets, “These days, all I do is wonder if you are in a consensual relationship with someone who is still here in the city where I left you… Doing things with other consenting partners that you and your body enjoy.” She fully shows the difference in the point of views outlining that there is personal responsibility and pleasure that can be taken by women. Laster’s juxtaposition of the lyrics shows the subtle micro-aggressions that come with the attitude of men at times. If applied to society, this helps to combat negative stereotyping …show more content…
He sings, “Ever since I left the city, /You got a reputation for yourself now /Everybody knows and I feel left out/ Girl you got me down, you got me stressed out.” These lyrics give a sense that Drake’s sadness and loneliness is valid because he has lost the attention of his loved one. However, feminists argue that these feelings are not valid because the fault lies with Drake. He indeed left her in the city. Javetta Laster interprets, "Ever since I left the city, you've established an identity of your own while I went out and did things to advance my life. Everybody recognizes you are your own person with your own life goals and I'm no longer a part of what makes you special..." Laster points out that he is just upset that the liberated woman has established herself and own sense of self. While he is upset that she has changed, he seems to be more upset with the fact that he has changed and those changes were outside of him. The point of this reinterpretation is to denounce the chauvinism that he exhibits and to call out sexism wherever it persists. It is traditionally expected for women to wait on men which includes letting go of aspiration or “dumbing down” their own intellect in favor of men’s feelings and egos. The reinterpretation of the song directs men to pay attention to the needs and want of the woman. It more importantly, tells women to advocate for themselves and their own idea. In
In 2015, a phenomenon spurred amongst the women of social media, centering the rapper, saying, “Drake wouldn’t treat me this way.” It may be a valid inference given that most of Drake’s most popular songs center around women, absent of the traditional misogyny assigned rap. His career as a singing-rapper also has given him a softer effect than the traditional, hardened, early 2000s view of hip hop rappers. He is a Jewish, Canadian rapper which still thrives in a “hardcore” area of music with is constant appeal to women. He embodies the perfect expression of a woman’s ideal. For example, the lyrics from his earliest hit, ”Best I Ever Had,” demonstrate the artist’s ability to swoon women into …show more content…
He expresses that there was need for him and it is lost. “Love” can also be interpreted as sexual intimacy. Given that definition, that “one thing” is no longer “love” but something he does not approve. Laster interprets the line as evidence of this woman realizing how mesmerizing her body can be which speaks to the negative response to women’s sexuality that can exist when it is not approved by the man. Also, Drake says later in the song, “Wonder if you bendin’ over backwards for someone else/…Doing things I taught you getting nasty for someone else.” This further exhibits the sexist attitudes toward women’s sexuality. He notates that intimacy is done for someone else and not for her own pleasure. Laster interprets, “These days, all I do is wonder if you are in a consensual relationship with someone who is still here in the city where I left you… Doing things with other consenting partners that you and your body enjoy.” She fully shows the difference in the point of views outlining that there is personal responsibility and pleasure that can be taken by women. Laster’s juxtaposition of the lyrics shows the subtle micro-aggressions that come with the attitude of men at times. If applied to society, this helps to combat negative stereotyping …show more content…
He sings, “Ever since I left the city, /You got a reputation for yourself now /Everybody knows and I feel left out/ Girl you got me down, you got me stressed out.” These lyrics give a sense that Drake’s sadness and loneliness is valid because he has lost the attention of his loved one. However, feminists argue that these feelings are not valid because the fault lies with Drake. He indeed left her in the city. Javetta Laster interprets, "Ever since I left the city, you've established an identity of your own while I went out and did things to advance my life. Everybody recognizes you are your own person with your own life goals and I'm no longer a part of what makes you special..." Laster points out that he is just upset that the liberated woman has established herself and own sense of self. While he is upset that she has changed, he seems to be more upset with the fact that he has changed and those changes were outside of him. The point of this reinterpretation is to denounce the chauvinism that he exhibits and to call out sexism wherever it persists. It is traditionally expected for women to wait on men which includes letting go of aspiration or “dumbing down” their own intellect in favor of men’s feelings and egos. The reinterpretation of the song directs men to pay attention to the needs and want of the woman. It more importantly, tells women to advocate for themselves and their own idea. In