WAP: Women are Powerful or Wet uh...
BY REBECCA ZHANG '22
The first time I watched “WAP” was for this article. So, yes, I’m blaming YOU for the permanent scarring this music video has caused. Before my own enlightenment, of course, Cardi B’s “WAP” stormed in and demanded attention from anyone who would listen. My friends sang it, my dance teacher played it in class, and even the media took a break from COVID-19 and politics to discuss this risqué wonder.While many praise Cardi B for (loudly) promoting body ownership and female power, 'WAP' sparked its fair share of controversies among conservatives and parents alike. Among all the animal print, the dancing in splits, and the skin-tight clothing, the question remains: is “WAP” oversexualizing or empowering women?
If you somehow have not heard about “WAP,” let me bless you with some very PG-13 details. In early August 2020, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion released this single and absolutely shattered the internet. As of today, “WAP” has garnered more than 121 million views on Youtube and was featured in at least 6.1 million original videos on TikTok. In the music video, the two women dance around a mansion whilst rapping about several sexual demands. Unfortunately, I cannot go into any more detail or quote anything because I am quite afraid that even the seemingly clean lines have some underlying not-safe-for-school meaning. But if you’re anywhere on social media, I’m sure you already know all about “WAP.”
Historically, music has played a prominent role in pop culture and influenced all age groups. From promoting patriotism during WWII to calling for equal rights, artists have always used music as a tool for showcasing their perspectives and initiating change. New forms of social media have only accelerated the scope and speed of Cardi B’s message. "WAP" quickly exploded on TikTok with a booty-licious dance, and given the app's popularity, TikTok exposes this raunchy song to millions of adolescents and young children. Many have expressed concern that “WAP” exposes young teens to overly sexual and possibly sexist content. As Leena Nasir from Moms states, “Cardi B is a role model to many young girls and….to think that young girls would idolize someone who uses her body and their sexuality for material gain is glorifying everything that most parents set out to protect their little girls from.”
Indeed, the lyrics and the music video appear to promote the objectification of women. Many on social media praised Cardi for her seemingly stereotype-busting lines. “I don't cook, I don't clean,” in particular, went viral on TikTok (although these days, what doesn’t go viral on TikTok?) for defying domestic standards. Yet, many overlook the lines that follow: “But let me tell you how I got this ring…” (I cannot quote any further, so look up the lyrics if you would like to follow along, boo). In summary, Cardi asserts her ability to gain any material item through sex and defines herself by the sexual favors she provides. “WAP” seems to only promote the characterization of women as sex objects.
But “WAP” certainly isn’t the first (and definitely won’t be the last) song that features mature themes. In fact, men have been singing about this subject for decades. Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” demands the submissive woman to “get down,” while nearly all of Chris Brown’s songs degrade women to sexual descriptions of their bodies. Men rapping about sex appears rather normal and unsurprising. That’s not to say that women haven’t touched upon this *interesting* topic in the music industry. In Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda,” a scary man's voice idealizes a certain body type and defines what it means to be “sexy.” Conversely, “WAP” takes a different approach: the women are now in control. Songs with dominating men have been popularized and praised over the years, but when a woman takes over, suddenly society sees these themes as entirely unacceptable and disgusting. Yes, “WAP” is a sexual song. Yes, “WAP” may even be sexualizing women. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t powerful.
Female empowerment is an ambiguous term: there is no strict definition of a powerful woman. Many immediately picture female leaders, scientists, or teachers. But a powerful woman is one who overcomes all societal expectations and does whatever the heck (excuse my language) she wants. A woman who chooses to spend time in the kitchen is powerful. A woman who chooses to lead the country is powerful. A woman who chooses to sing about adult themes is powerful. As the mother of a two-year-old, Cardi B constantly receives “mommy-shaming” and stark criticism for the way she dresses and acts, but reinforcing the traditional maternal stereotype is not empowering women. Cardi B releasing the provocative “WAP,” in spite of these criticisms, is empowering women.
I am an awkward person. I don’t really like discussing this stuff. But as much as it makes me uncomfortable, I much prefer “WAP” over some wimpy little innocent song that purposefully follows men’s expectations. And while I don’t necessarily agree with the objectification present in Cardi B’s song, there is no doubt that her risk has defied societal standards. In the wake of Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidency win, it’s doubly important to shatter all societal expectations for women and redefine what it means to be a powerful woman, because after all WAP—Women Are Powerful.
If you somehow have not heard about “WAP,” let me bless you with some very PG-13 details. In early August 2020, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion released this single and absolutely shattered the internet. As of today, “WAP” has garnered more than 121 million views on Youtube and was featured in at least 6.1 million original videos on TikTok. In the music video, the two women dance around a mansion whilst rapping about several sexual demands. Unfortunately, I cannot go into any more detail or quote anything because I am quite afraid that even the seemingly clean lines have some underlying not-safe-for-school meaning. But if you’re anywhere on social media, I’m sure you already know all about “WAP.”
Historically, music has played a prominent role in pop culture and influenced all age groups. From promoting patriotism during WWII to calling for equal rights, artists have always used music as a tool for showcasing their perspectives and initiating change. New forms of social media have only accelerated the scope and speed of Cardi B’s message. "WAP" quickly exploded on TikTok with a booty-licious dance, and given the app's popularity, TikTok exposes this raunchy song to millions of adolescents and young children. Many have expressed concern that “WAP” exposes young teens to overly sexual and possibly sexist content. As Leena Nasir from Moms states, “Cardi B is a role model to many young girls and….to think that young girls would idolize someone who uses her body and their sexuality for material gain is glorifying everything that most parents set out to protect their little girls from.”
Indeed, the lyrics and the music video appear to promote the objectification of women. Many on social media praised Cardi for her seemingly stereotype-busting lines. “I don't cook, I don't clean,” in particular, went viral on TikTok (although these days, what doesn’t go viral on TikTok?) for defying domestic standards. Yet, many overlook the lines that follow: “But let me tell you how I got this ring…” (I cannot quote any further, so look up the lyrics if you would like to follow along, boo). In summary, Cardi asserts her ability to gain any material item through sex and defines herself by the sexual favors she provides. “WAP” seems to only promote the characterization of women as sex objects.
But “WAP” certainly isn’t the first (and definitely won’t be the last) song that features mature themes. In fact, men have been singing about this subject for decades. Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” demands the submissive woman to “get down,” while nearly all of Chris Brown’s songs degrade women to sexual descriptions of their bodies. Men rapping about sex appears rather normal and unsurprising. That’s not to say that women haven’t touched upon this *interesting* topic in the music industry. In Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda,” a scary man's voice idealizes a certain body type and defines what it means to be “sexy.” Conversely, “WAP” takes a different approach: the women are now in control. Songs with dominating men have been popularized and praised over the years, but when a woman takes over, suddenly society sees these themes as entirely unacceptable and disgusting. Yes, “WAP” is a sexual song. Yes, “WAP” may even be sexualizing women. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t powerful.
Female empowerment is an ambiguous term: there is no strict definition of a powerful woman. Many immediately picture female leaders, scientists, or teachers. But a powerful woman is one who overcomes all societal expectations and does whatever the heck (excuse my language) she wants. A woman who chooses to spend time in the kitchen is powerful. A woman who chooses to lead the country is powerful. A woman who chooses to sing about adult themes is powerful. As the mother of a two-year-old, Cardi B constantly receives “mommy-shaming” and stark criticism for the way she dresses and acts, but reinforcing the traditional maternal stereotype is not empowering women. Cardi B releasing the provocative “WAP,” in spite of these criticisms, is empowering women.
I am an awkward person. I don’t really like discussing this stuff. But as much as it makes me uncomfortable, I much prefer “WAP” over some wimpy little innocent song that purposefully follows men’s expectations. And while I don’t necessarily agree with the objectification present in Cardi B’s song, there is no doubt that her risk has defied societal standards. In the wake of Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidency win, it’s doubly important to shatter all societal expectations for women and redefine what it means to be a powerful woman, because after all WAP—Women Are Powerful.
