'Tis the season for year end music lists. Every journalist, critic and influencer you know has been working harder than Santa's elves to get out their annual round up of the best artists, albums and songs of 2021. NPR has one. Pitchfork has one. Ditto Rolling Stone. Even former President Barack Obama released his yearly list of music. And by the way, can we discuss him putting M03 and Morray's "In My Blood" on here? 🤯
Credit: Twitter
Some of these aforementioned lists are balanced—especially Barack—and in the era of "DEI" or "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion", it behooves both critics and gatekeepers to strive for representation.
Well...until we get to hip-hop. The "best of" rap lists by hip-hop have historically been a FAILURE when it comes to representing an array of voices. Female rappers largely still have to "prove" to many men (and some women) behind-the-scenes in the industry that they're more than just a pretty face and ample assets.
Forget the fact that Cardi B was certified for three diamond records (that's 10x platinum if you're keeping track at home) or that newcomer Doja Cat has outperformed every male rapper this year on stage. Or, how about the insane influx of fresh female artists that dropped in 2021 from BKTHERULA and Coi Leray to Lakeyah Danae and Monaleo?
A few months ago, I was talking to a rap legend (who also has his hands in behind-the-scenes decision making) and he seriously couldn't name any new female rappers. Cringe. First: I'm embarrassed for him. Second: It's sadly indicative of how many dinosaurs men still feel in the rap industry. Sure, women are fun to look at but they really don't care about their music. Unless they get a male cosign, they're invisible.
So, I challenge everyone doing a "Best of 2021" list to make sure that your list actually reflects the hip-hop milieu. That means, go beyond what you're listening to in your '94 Honda or talking about in your dude fest group chat and push yourself. Hip-hop didn't end when you graduated high school. Shocker. There's new music that's worth amplifying. And, throwing a few women on your list because you liked their Instagram selfies isn't doing anyone any favors.
Like St. Nick checking his list twice, I'll be watching.
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