Missy and Nicki
In ways different and similar, two artists have made their mark in 21st-century commercial rap music. Both Missy Elliott and Nicki Manaj have mobilized fashion as a key tool and weapon in their efforts to succeed in – and to change – the music industry.
According to Theresa Renee White, both artists have
in some ways succumbed to, but also managed to challenge the stereotypical sexual image of Black women in hip-hop through their unique fashion aesthetic….[T]hese African American women have redefined their own sexuality, taken agency and written their own script.
Objectives
- Summarize White’s argument about the ways that Elliott and Minaj have “succumbed to” the gender stereotypes common in commercial hip hop (621)
- Summarize White’s argument about the ways that both Elliott and Minaj have “written their own script” through a “unique fashion aesthetic” (621)
- More to come
Reading
- Theresa Renee White, “Missy ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliott and Nicki Minaj: Fashionistin’ Black Female Sexuality in Hip-Hop Culture—Girl Power or Overpowered?”
[PDF available in Georgia View “Content”]
Viewing
- Missy Elliott, “WTF” (dir. Dave Meyers and Missy Elliott, 2015)
- Missy Elliott, “Lose Control” (dir. Dave Meyers and Missy Elliott, 2005)
- Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass” (dir. Sanaa Hamri, 2010)
- Nicki Minaj, “Fly” (dir. Sanaa Hamri, 2010)
Quiz
- No quiz during Spring 2018 semester
