Unpopular opinion.
WAP (Wet, Ass, Pussy) by Cardi B Megan Thee Stallion is a song that makes me sad. Yeah the beat is hot, (classic Chicago House track is sampled) but at what cost?
Black women are constantly oversexualized in print media, tv, film, music, movies, and videos by men and as a result so many men expect us to be little more than walking vaginas. I don’t find it empowering, it’s a cosign on bad treatment. The reason young Black girls that are raped are dismissed. Why Black women are sex trafficked and unprotected. Why as a Black woman overseas, I have been mistaken for a prostitute. I find it curious that no other race consistently disrespects their own women and it is not only accepted but glorified within the race. Can you imagine a Jewish or even a Reggaeton female artist talking about Israeli or Latina women like this? Any other group with comparable lyrics?
Globally, people that have never met a Black American woman, will hear WAP. In Italy, they play pop on the subway and radio without censorship. People that understand English will see ALL Black women as this. Cardi and Megan will make their coins and move on but the impact will be felt for years everywhere.
I think as Black women we defend it because we see it as controlling the narrative. That if we are seen as sexual objects, we will define it on our terms. We will use our pussy collective to control men and extort money. That’s the fantasy because women are much more likely to be a victim than the protagonist.
Cardi B and Megan TS have a powerful platform and they have a right to use that platform however they see fit. But it would have been so cool if they used it to make music that actually empowers Black women. Little girls are going to emulate them and I cringe at the thought of 6 year old girls using these words to describe themselves.
I support the right of artists to make whatever music they want, but we don’t have to support it. If you listened to WAP, maybe listen to Rapsody or Teyana Taylor a bit too? Consider supporting Black female artists that actually seek to empower Black women and perform beyond the strip club.
