The big fail of Hip Hop music, atleast as it's perceived in American culture, is in its fundamentals. It lacks balance.
Critics may say not enough "positivity" is in the lyrics, but what do they mean? Quite possibly it is a"new" perspective altogether that we crave. Perhaps it lacks a certain wisdom, the kind that can only come from women.
I don't mean to suggest that either a total matriarchy of Hip Hop is correct, or even that feminised males leading the way (a current trend) is desirable. Yet one wonders, how can you expect a male-dominated industry to represent the woman's perspective? Without it, there is no balance in thought, ideas, sound, etc.
Think, how many of us include female rappers in our Top 5? Is this because they aren't enough that are up to par? I doubt it. Is it that they simply don't have enough material to judge from, didn't have the same oppurtunities as their male counterpart to work with the right producers, labels, etc? Probally. Are we only considering those artists placed before us by said industry and need to look around a bit? This is likely closer to the point.
Since most of us are not the "industry", I say we, as fans/consumers, start from the ground up: Support up and coming female artists (some may disagree with use of the term "female" but I didn't want to say "woman", as to include the "girl" as well). Buy their music. Go to their shows. Create awareness. Male deejays, make a point to include their voices, not just when it's trendy.
I encourage female emcees, producers, and deejays to come out on their own, with or without male support. It has been you, all along, beside us in the world, in your activism, in your support of us, often guiding us, towards the light. We need you now, more than ever.
