….and having now seen this piece of unmitigated misogynist shite – Fake Bitch Anthem – one of my biggest regrets is for ever endorsing the wanker concerned on Comment is free: The Andrew Lansley Rap perfectly skewers its target.
Truth be told I regretted that piece within days. Not because I didn’t agree with the message in the rap, but because I didn’t know at the time of writing that UNISON was behind the video. And even after my CiF piece had been published, no one from UNISON had the decency to tell me they’d funded the whole thing, which considering I’m a UNISON activist as well as a writer, left me (I felt) looking like a bit of a UNISON stooge. And that’s not a position I’m very comfortable with. At all.
So there you go: I’ve (finally) said my piece. All that’s left is to hope that someone from UNISON will now issue a statement disassociating the union from MC NxtGen and his vile misogyny…..
Too Much To Say For Myself 
OK, three things here.
One, this is not a one-size fits all misogyny; rather it targets the kind of women who aspire to trade on the kind of currency that many would say set feminism back. That is, vanity, superficiality, vapid publicity seeking and questing for the footballer husband. All worthy targets for a diss in my opinion.
Two, the “wouldn’t touch you if I was a rapist” is a flippant jibe intended to be funny (hip hop crowd AWWW, brap brap etc) – and probably falls for you into the “should NEVER be joked about” category. Trust me, hip hop has no such boundaries, particularly in a diss track. And it’s ridiculous to hold such art forms (not that this is even a good example of the genre) up for inspection alongside the views of the middle class commentariat – this is street expression and obscenity is as natural to it as semicolons to op-ed.
Three, In any case, he isn’t even implying he’s a rapist, or that some women are worthy of raping, or that anyone would if the eponymous “fake bitch” were slightly less disgusting -just that she is sooo foul that even the most reprehensible sexual deviant would struggle to find her attractive. For some enlightening and more eloquent discussion of the hate speech in comedy action, check out Reginald D Hunter’s new christmas stand-up DVD, which touches on rape and racism in an insightful and humorous way.
Question 1: would you have similar beef if it were “fake bitch and douche”, or synonymous as a love ballad”? If not, I’m quite sure there’s a million male equivalent songs out there (“It takes more”|Ms Dynamite just comes off the top of the head). Hell, you could probably write one yourself. Question 2: what if it were penned by a woman? (“F*** me pumps”|Amy Winehouse).
I realise you’ve drafted this as a mea culpa (sorry I endorsed this man) dissociative (I hate him now) diss of your own but you’ve overblown it (unmitigated misogyny!). From the Lansley thing, you should have known where NxtGen is at. And please, any artist anywhere ever will at some point create a “f*** the partner gender” piece – it’s a quintessential muse for art through the ages.
NxtGen’s a satirist, not a philanthropist, Cath, with a characteristically waggish male sense of humour. Unison no doubt knew that when they employed him. I guess you took him a shade too seriously – an innate feminist characteristic, perhaps?
Wait. Did I just see two dudes (?) telling a woman to lighten up about the rape jokes and “street” misogyny?
Fresh, yo.
No. No, you didn’t. Straw doll, yo.
Anil, I don’t have a problem with obscenities, as I think is clear from my tendency to throw them around myself. And yes, I agree that this kind of ‘bitch’ narrative is common to the genre. However, in the Andrew Lansley Rap NxtGen tried to paint himself as some kind of politically aware politically conscious artist. But this most recent ‘work’ of his shows that he’s quite categorically not.
I also think it’s lazy thinking to give him a free pass by saying “yes but misogyny is a common trope in hip hop and rap”. It might be, but there are artists, successful artists, who have managed to avoid this kind of crap. Just because other artists do something is not an excuse.
Only thing I would say here is artists rarely “paint themselves” as anything. More often, it’s an assumption of agenda on the part of the audience based on perceived implications of a piece of work. I might be politically conscious, but that may manifest itself as hippy or jihadi in the eyes of my audience. I might be socially critical, but it might come off as class war or elitism, depending on the listener. Likewise, there’s no legitimate reason to expect consistency in outlook, demeanour, content or undertone. You brought your expectation of NxtGen’s positioning from one piece to another, and he isn’t responsible for that.
Just for a laugh (NOT saying “lighten up”!), see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liPBdhtYrJc
I don’t think I’m really hip enough to post here (Fresh,yo means nothing to me) but as NxtGen seems to have blown it, can I suggest my own song on the NHS.
(just for clarification: I said “Fresh, yo.” sarcastically. “fresh” is stale.)
Dear Anil,
Rape has nothing to do with attractiveness.
[Edited to remove personal abuse. Cath]
G
Dear me, I wonder if this chap dyes his hair himself?
“fuck me pumps” is about women who want to be a footballers wife . lyrics as follows (apologies if anyone is offended)
When you walk in the bar,
And you dressed like a star,
Rockin’ your F me pumps.
And the men notice you,
With your Gucci bag crew,
Can’t tell who he’s lookin’ to.
Cause you all look the same,
Everyone knows your name,
And that’s you whole claim to fame.
Never miss a night,
Cause your dream in life,
Is to be a footballers wife.
You don’t like players,
That’s what you say-a,
But you really wouldn’t mind a millionaire.
You don’t like ballers,
They don’t do nothing for ya,
But you’d love a rich man six foot two or taller.
You’re more than a fan,
Lookin’ for a man,
But you end up with one-nights-stands.
He could be your whole life,
If you got past one night,
But that part never goes right.
In the morning you’re vexed,
He’s onto the next,
And you didn’t even get no taste.
Don’t be too upset,
If they call you a skank,
Cause like the news everyday you get pressed.
You don’t like players,
That’s what you say-a,
But you really wouldn’t mind a millionaire.
Or them big ballers,
Don’t do nothing for ya.
But you’d love a rich man six foot two or taller,
You can’t sit down right,
Cause you jeans are too tight,
And your lucky it’s ladies night.
With your big empty purse,
Every week it gets worse,
At least your breasts cost more than hers.
So you did Miami,
Cause you got there for free,
But somehow you missed the plane.
You did too much E,
Met somebody,
And spent the night getting caned.
Without girls like you,
There’d be no fun,
We’d go to the club and not see anyone.
Without girls like you,
There’s no nightlife,
All those men just go home to their wives.
Don’t be mad at me,
Cause you’re pushing thirty,
And your old tricks no longer work.
You should have known from the job,
That you always get dumped,
So dust off your fuck me pumps
Not really comparable if you ask me, for one thing there is some sympathy for the subject of the song. It’s also got a nice tune, which is more than you can say for this piece
This bloke strikes me as wanting to be a very poor version of eminem, however he should note that eminem (love him or hate him) also has a degree of lyrical subtlety and humour (and some good tunes as well). This is as funny as third degree burns and makes Agadoo sound like shakespeare. And yes, rape is nothing to do with being attractive.
I bet Andrew Lansley’s having a good laugh though.
There’s a couple of dodgy ethical points here, Polly. One, that “offensive speech” of the kind that provoked Cath’s article is in some way permissible only if a modicum of sympathetic tone is perceived. It might potentially lessen the apparent vindictiveness through a lower “us and them” content, but I don’t think it’s less brutal because of it. Two, that the same expression is less offensive by virtue of subjective perceptions of artistic merit. If it’s horrific hate speech, it could be the Great Song of Ages itself and should still attract condemnation.
As will be clear from my earlier comments, I think that neither is worthy of censure – just critique.
On the “rape isn’t about attractiveness” issue, I must admit I get get a bit frustrated by the continual circlejerk on this. Rape is probably more about dominance and subjugation psychologically – for rapists, and consequently for their victims. For non-rapists, the idea of raping someone to whom you are not attracted is (adlready repugnant as a moral violation) absolutely baffling. Furthermore, the idea of rape (generically) being “about” anything is bizarre – any criminologist worth their salt will make reference to the specificity of situation and background, opportunity and stimulus in order to piece together motivations.
Finally, Cath: if the previously adsf post contained personal abuse. I think you should have removed the whole post. It upsets me to think what that abuse may have been, and it may discourage people from being abusive in future if they know their views will get no airing if they are abusive alongside it.
Well you’re the one claiming it’s ‘art’ Anil, and the quality of art is generally seen as relevant to its worth.
And sympathy for the subject is entirely relevant to whether something is hate speech or not. While Winehouse clearly doesn’t admire the lifestyle/personal ambitions of the subject of her song, she isn’t expressing overt hatred, therefore I say your attempt to equate the two pieces is invalid.
@ anil mc (re “wouldn’t touch you if I was a rapist”)
” In any case, he isn’t even implying he’s a rapist, or that some women are worthy of raping”
he is actually. she is worthy of rape according to him, just not that he would do it if HE were the rapist.
men-as-a-class have often found plenty to trivialize and joke about the abuse women-as-a-class suffer at the hands of men-as-a-class in order to keep oppression alive and kicking – and there is a LOOOONG history of this happening. and the fact that you reiterate this point, that “it’s intended to be funny”, as though that excuses it, just proves that you’re right down there in the ditch-of-assholes with this spermbag.
and therefore this:
“this is not a one-size fits all misogyny”
is patently stupid. there are women, according to nxtgen, that are rapeable and women that are not – and this is a judgement that he is making on ALL women. so if a woman doesn’t measure up, ‘bitch had it comin bro’.
like sargasso sea said upthread, fresh yo.
further, “it’s ridiculous to hold such art forms (not that this is even a good example of the genre) up for inspection alongside the views of the middle class commentariat – this is street expression and obscenity is as natural to it as semicolons to op-ed.”
why, if it such an “art form”, is it ridiculous to critique it? why does it being “street expression” excuse the misogyny? are you saying that “street” artists are too stupid or ignorant (or ‘cool’ perhaps?) to understand the dynamics of sexual oppression?
when cath says: “However, in the Andrew Lansley Rap NxtGen tried to paint himself as some kind of politically aware politically conscious artist” i sympathize. sometimes, when people present a really progressive set of world views, you just assume that they share those progressive views when it comes to half the population. and you’re a bit stunned/frustrated/annoyed/whatever when that turns out to be untrue. and then, sometimes, it becomes a regret (for ever having “endorsed this wanker”, for example).
you sure have a lot invested in blathering-defending this guy and his misogyny by the way. or is it just misogyny in general that you’re in favour of?
“Two, the “wouldn’t touch you if I was a rapist” is a flippant jibe intended to be funny”
AHAAHAHAHAHAHA. AHAHA. HA.
Oh Anil, your opinions are dreadful.
Incidentally, Anil, have you ever been told by a threatening and aggressive man who was sexually harassing you that he wouldn’t bother raping you? Even if he is pretty flippant about it, it’s not funny for you. Do you see how sometimes something that is funny for someone is not funny for someone else? Sometimes that happens.
ahhhh emilybites – thank you for helping me see the lighter side of troll-like creatures (“but rape-jokes are funnnyyyyy! waahhhh!” *drums heels on the floor*)
Holy bejeezus. If “down there in the ditch-of-arseholes with this spermbag” doesn’t qualify as personal abuse, what does?
Now, Deepika; let’s get sensible.
“Wouldn’t”: negative
“Touch you”: not rape, just touch
“Even”: in the hypotheticak event of
“If”: condition required
“I were a rapist”: the condition itself, implicitly untrue
So. There is zero suggestion some women deserve rape. There is zero suggestion the author is himself a rapist. There IS the possibility that a rapist might (shockingly) rape, but not this woman. Everything else, you brought to the reading yourself, through your lens, and your experience – which is valid of course, but it’s important to recognise the different between explicit and inferred import.
You can give it men-as-a-class, women-as-a-class, but it’s stereotyping, tar-brush rhetoric that serves only to divide and legitimate sexist discriminatory behaviour on both sides. That’s not to deny structures of patriarchy and violence against women – but surely you can see it ain’t constructive to let such clumsy diatribe dominate your discourse.
Critique is fine, as I said before. For anything, including the song, the video, the article by Cath, my responses, yours, anything. Censure is not – which is why I’m making such an impassioned defence of the rights of MCs to be rude as fuck. Nobody thinks the opponent’s mum is “a crack whore with a slack back door and a backless jaw”, but the aim is to slate, and slate hard. It’s lyrical gymnastics, and nasty, but not heartfelt hatred – just playin’, as we say repeatedly.
Cath ain’t alone in misreading someone’s agenda and motivations, we’ve all done it a lot. What I said was she had no reason to assume consistency, and I stand by that. It’s not the artist’s fault, whether they alienate their hardcore fans with a new direction musically, or drop a cruel track when everyone thought they were straight angels. There’s no Clockwork Orange eyehooks to force the audience to bear witness, just turn that shit off if it offends you.
The song is wack. The video is infantile. The lyrics are ill-designed and the delivery is unoriginal. I disagree with the sentiment (for the same reason your “spermbag” retort iirritates me; it’s puerile). But he’s got a basic right to make and publish the soddin’ tune.
wait wait, this is hilarious – censure (def: strong disapproval, criticize, reproach) is not okay but critique is?
so nobody should strongly disapprove of misogyny…
or did you mean censor (to delete/suppress) – in which case, what the everlovin’….?
as to the rest – i’ll get back to it later, getting late in my timezone.
I literally don’t know why Anil comes here, folks. I literally don’t. Come on, I know LOADS of people who love to defend sexism and adore the status quo – Anil could totally find some real-world friends who feel the same.
Cath: So here’s some cultural misogyny I’ve observed.
Anil: It’s nooooot!!! You’re so unreeeasonable, stop talking about things I don’t think are important!! (Except obviously I do, because I’m still here). Turn it off if you don’t like it!!!
And do/watch/buy/wear what, exactly? Misogyny is like rain, and we’re all standing in a field. You can’t dodge raindrops.
Ok, so my sarcasm is in overdrive – but people, why do sexists who don’t care about sexism come to feminist blogs to complain we’re upset about nothing? What is the everloving point?
Anil, a few weeks back I was walking home from work and a lad who looked about 12 said to me apropos of absolutely nothing “I wouldn’t shag you”. I couldn’t really be arsed to tell the mini misgoynist that I was a) a lesbian and b)probably old enough to be his grandma, since he only wanted attention.
However the deluded male belief that every woman in existence is desperate to have sex with them most certainly is misogynist, and it is that exact same belief that this eejit is expressing and encouraging. He is not criticising ‘wannabe’ culture (which has been done effectively by both Winehouse and eminem). He is saying he doesn’t want to shag a woman because he thinks she’s ugly and expressing a sense of entitlement that is as repellent as it is ridiculous.
Oh i just had a look at this chaps channel and he is indeed an admirer of Eminem. He also says it’s just a joke! So that’s ok then….
okay, back into the fray. about the “i wouldn’t rape you” statement.
to a target of contempt
“i wouldn’t shoot you even if i had a gun!” (implied: but you deserve it, and someone ‘lesser than me would)
“i wouldn’t touch you if i were rapist” (implied: but you deserve it, and someone ‘lesser’ than me would)
a statement like this opens the space for this kind of action to happen in a supposedly justifiable way without the speaker necessarily having to be the agent.
so yes, let’s be sensible. you’re coming in on a post that is ostensibly about a regret cath elliott had about her own actions, and a desire to not see misogynists promoted – and you’re whining about how misogyny shouldn’t be censured/censored (not sure which really) and how could you do this to the poor guy oh the shame he has a right to make misogynistic “art” (even though no one said otherwise) how dare you not like it/want to ban it (we’re still not sure which) and how could you have been fooled by his earlier, seemingly progressive stance? don’t you know he’s a “street” inspired artist and therefore too _________ to know “better”?!
whatever anil mc. misogyny is misogyny, whether you think it’s funny or not.
I come here cos I learn stuff. And I’m well up for freedom from discrimination, challenging set roles and finding the way through getting over the fear of the other. Us and them thinking leads to suboptimal outcomes all the way down the garden path. But I think you’re all really intelligent, interesting people. Some are angrier than others, but probably not more than is replicated in genpop. And I’m pro-feminist myself (someone will laugh derisively), but I’m still learning as I go.
I got censure wrong. In my head it speaks to imposition of sanction, to punishment – maybe light censorship by denying access to an audience.
I think the song’s misogyny but only to a certain set of women. And it only affects all women in that in order to be a fake bitch you have to be a woman. Like a disease that’s only present in a carrier with one matching gene on each X chromosome e.g. Turner syndrome (had to look that up). Haemophilia’s only on the Y chromosome, . In actuality, the misogyny ascribed to men-as-a-class by Derpika and the aggro demeanour of the song (“waggish” by gulfstream way up at the top) are similar conditions held nigh on exclusively by men.
Don’t be haters, yo
Look Anil mc. You are missing the point, mate. Unisons memebers are largely, Female.
That means, the money Unison paid him was for the Andrew Lansley rap, and that ALONE, they had no idea that this ”Fake bitch” track was even out there.
They helped this artist in getting a song,video and himself out into the general publics line of sight, as such, you do not, unless you are a mindless cretin, bite the hand that feeds. If I need to draw you a bigger picture, then you too should count yourself in that cretin catagory, no amount of hycoing; even in an intelligent way can change the fact the guys a idiot for releasing something like that so soon after being helped by a mainly female organisation.
You are new to polotics you say, I am not. I am a man, a rough man, a 6ft2 20 stone rough man, but, I DO NOT REFFER TO WOMEN AS BITCHES, nor would anyone in my pressence and talking about rape, is neither clever nor funny, in fact, stick that cretin in a room with me for 5 minutes and he would wish he was a women…I dont hit women!
I have a mother, a sister and a partner that works for unison, they knew NOTHING about this,they only sponsered him for the Andrew Lansley thing.
Pick your battles better MC Anil, and do not defend a ‘wannabe’, for T-pac, this guy isn’t!