SEXISM in the Music Industry

Sexism is defined as a “system of beliefs that asserts the inferiority of one sex and that justifies gender-based inequality.” Objectification, on the other hand, is the habit of substituting objects or animals instead of people. Throughout history, sexism in the music industry is prevalent especially when it comes to the exploitation of women. Even though the objectification of women may be seen today in most rap songs, this practice have been around since 1970s or 1980s through heavy metal songs. Therefore, this may be considered as an institutional sexism.
In “Can’t Hold Us Down,” Christina Aguilera implies that our society is a patriarchy, "male-dominated society in which cultural beliefs and values give higher prestige and values to men than to women (Newman 461).” This is shown in “If you look back in history, it’s a common double standard of society. The guy gets all the glory ; the more he can score, while the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore.” In addition, women are stereotyped as someone who is meek or humble and who doesn’t question men (higher authority) –“Am I not supposed to have an opinion? Should I be quiet just because I’m a woman? ” Although if women speak out or do what men do, they are reproached or seen as someone who did a horrid crime –“call me bitch ‘cos I speak what’s on my mind… If the girl do the same, then she’s a whore.” Objectification can be seen when Lil Kim referenced women as “Cats.” Also, women are seen as something that can be bought as if a toy from which, when bought, the buyer can do whatever he pleases to it –“He can either give us some head, sex her off.” Thus, women are just sexual objects to men. If not, they are just a “game” to men. Finally, this song can also be sexist to men because the song implies that, if a man rebuts whatever a woman is saying, he “is not a man.” Christina Aguilera implies that all men think that “women should be seen not heard.” If a woman says something about a man, he for sure will do “what any little boy will do making up few rumors or two.” Men are illustrated as disrespectful and a coward –“Guess it’s easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled . When a female fires back, suddenly the target don’t know how to act.”
In "Kiwi," Maroon 5 objectifies women as a fruit -"kiwi." Also, women are seen as sexual objects for men -"Wonder what it wuold be like to make you moan. " The song also implies that women are easy and that men are doing women a favor by having sexual intercourse with them...
In "Pimp Juice," Nelly not only call women as "bitches" or "hoes;" but also, he states that women are materialistic and do anything to attract men -"She only want me for my pimp juice...Women got the pimp juice too. Come to think about it - dirty, they got more than we do. "