Counting Headz is the film to watch for those interested in hip hop, the growing number of female artists tackling this genre and for those of us intrigued with the spirit of South Africa.
Until recently, the South African hip hop music scene was exclusively a male domain. This has changed and along with it the content of the music. Women are addressing crime and the hard life in inner cities unlike their male counterparts who dwell on fashion, fancy homes and cars. Featuring three major women performers, the film captures the evolution in overall content from a copy of American rap into a vehicle for addressing socio-political issues. MC Chi asks if there’s a contradiction of values between African and hip-hop cultures, and if it’s possible to reconcile the two. Her questions reflect the obstacles encountered by her fellow sistaz. DJ Sistamatic, challenged by a distorted media portrayal of her persona, addresses the influence of male-formed images of women.
World-renowned graffiti artist Smirk finds a way beyond her family’s initial misgivings about her art to merge a life with hip hop and motherhood. These talented and formidable women tell us of their struggles, their passion, their successes and their hopes and in the process, the music is phat! (http://www.docnz.org.nz/2007/ak/film/counting-headz-south-afrikas-sistaz)
Resources: http://www.myspace.com/countingheadz
This film was the topic of our freewrite this morning. Post your reflections here. Students were asked to look at the connections between the women MCs and hip hop artists and that of the women profiled on Say My Name. If students missed the film last week, then look at an artist you know.
Cyber-Assignment due Sept. 3, 2009
Read the Introduction and the preface to Part One (3-4),Part Three (161-163) and Part Four (247-8), in Jeff Chang's Total Chaos. Because our focus is women in hip hop presently, read the article in Part Three: The Real: Identity in Flux, chapter 22, "A Brand-New Feminism..." p. 233. Also read from Part Four, Chapter 26, "Cape Flats Alchemy: Hip Hop Arts in South Africa, p. 262.
Feel free to augment this reading with any other sources (some mentioned in the articles themselves) which will help you respond to the questions and to better grasp the intricacies of the topic discussed. For each essay respond in 250 words minimum. Use the Total Chaos article as one source. The second source can be your choice.
1. The authors in Cape Flats Alchemy "embrace the transgressive nature of hip hop, and ...look to push and jar conventional boundaries or what is acceptable or accepted" (269). How is art the perfect vehicle for this journey? How does the development of hip hop culture in South Africa mirror this idea that art is a critique of what is what, as it soars towards what is possible? How does this alchemy process work? Use one of the women artists from Counting Headz to illustrate this.
What does it mean to be a woman immersed in hip hop culture in South Africa? The article seemed to stay within the boundaries of its authors' geography. I felt it didn't address certain aspects of the genre the women profiled in the film, spoke of, even though one of the authors is a woman. I also wish they'd spoken more about other African artists from the Bantu or black South African society, men and women whose experiences were vastly different from that of the coloured SA.
How does the history of racial segregation, Apartheid and the rich cultural legacy of South Africa's indigenous people shape the SA hip hop artists' response to their cultural landscape? Is there something tangible the women bring which is unique? How is the imposition of patriarchy echoed cross-culturally among the women profiled in Counting Headz and Say My Name? Be specific, use examples from the films, from the reading and from your personal experience.
How does the presence of these artists offer their communities hope? Look at one of the artists profiled, find a sample of her work and use this artist to illustrate your point here--the hope.
You might not be able to answer all these questions. That's okay. These are talking points.
2. Black feminist? Mark Anthony Neal sees himself as a black feminist. What does this mean? His friend journalist Joan Morgan grew up with Mark and her brothers and thus says that this comfort in male dominated spaces allows her a certain facility, fearlessness and movement. Reflect on these two hip hop scholars. Do you remember the Mike Tyson verdict? Is the incident with the black woman raped by the Lacrosse team an event which left a mark on you dashboard as it faded into the collective oblivion associated with much media today?
How perfect a setting speak about black women and their bodies, their sexuality and sensuality or its absence. Why is the title of the transcribed conversation or panel discussion -- A Brand-New Feminism, perfect? Do you think the addition of the term "womanism" would have expanded the discussion? See
Talk about some of the ideas explored in the conversation between Mark and Joan and what new insights you've gained from its exploration.
The only answer which is unacceptable is the one uttered without thought. Translate: Success is already yours. Think about it.
I loved the examples Joan gives from the music: Mos Def's "Ms. Fatbooty" and Dr. Dre's Chronic. Do you know Ice Cube's first album,"Amerikkka's Most Wanted"? If anyone wants to bring music in to share Tuesday, Sept. 7, please do. We can add Joan's book "When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost" to the list of recommended books for this class. If students want to post the URLs for the articles mentioned by Kevin Powell ("The Sexist in Me" Essence), or Greg Tate's obits for Miles Davis, Joan Morgan's stories on Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Mike Tyson, and Ice Cube...this will count as extra credit.
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20 comments:
Free-write on Counting Headz
In the film "Counting Headz" we got a glimpse of what life is like for the woman of hip-hop in South Africa. When comparing this film to the film "Say My Name" there are a lot of evident struggles that plague both woman in the U.S as well as in South Africa. To be heard in this industry you need to brave, strong, and tough. These woman not only portrayed that in these films, but they took it above and beyond to show that if you have a voice and purpose, than it should be heard. Don't let the male dominance of it get to you, it is feasible if you are willing to work hard at it than you can accomplish it.
One thing I did find that was different in both films is that the woman in South Africa seemed to be more cautious about their rhymes and how their family and children interpreted it. I feel like the majority of the girls in "Counting Headz" say that they worry what their families are going to think, or how their children would react if they saw them shaking their butts. This was not a re-accruing issue in "Say My Name", I feel that they did mention their children but not the aftermath. For the most part the struggles and the lack of support for woman in hip-hop was evident in both pieces.
Amy Quiton
Response to readings/films
I noticed the similarities that these women have in common were that they expressed their feelings in the songs they written. Their tone is the same also. People all have their own opinion on things but these rappers all have the same tone and same style of raping. In the film counting Headz they talk more about sexuality, racism, and things like that. In the previous times the rappers in the songs you have posted online have direct contact with the event in life, Hurricane Katrina. All of them have different inspiration. They all live and sing off of other different things.
Itzel Diaz
English 1B
free-write on Couting Headz
The film Counting Headz: South African Sistaz in Hip-Hop, expresses the reality of hip-hop female artist in South Africa, along with the hip-hop female artist from the film Say My Name these woman have difficulties when it comes to being taken seriously in the hip-hop industry. African culture has strict standards set for woman; African woman are expected to get married and have kids, like “all woman do”. But hip-hop female artist refuse to let their motherhood stop them from being who they want to be and expressing themselves through out hip-hop. Both African and American female artist had trouble adapting to the stereotypes that the hip-hop industry and the media wanted to give them; they wanted to be recognized by their talent not their looks.
Itzel Diaz
Professor Sabir
English 1B
September 3, 2009
Women Do Have Control Over Their Sexuality:
A Response to “A Brand-New Feminism”
A Brand-New Feminism is an interesting conversation between Joan Morgan and Mark Anthony Neal. Joan and Mark talk about the different ways hip-hop denigrates women through out music videos and song’s lyrics. They also talked about hip-hop from a different perspective; a perspective in which women can stop the way hip-hop portrays them and instead of satisfying male, woman happened to be confident expressing their sexuality. Hip-hop music does not sexualize women; women are the only ones who have the power of sexualizing their image.
Women have the power of choosing the king of image they want to have in hip-hop. During the conference Joan Morgan explains, “you took the stance of a victim, and the male was the oppressor, and you never acknowledge your own complicity.” (236) Morgan is talking about how we as women cannot put ourselves in a victim mode when in reality all the women that are on hip-hop videos, are there because they want to be there. Women can complain about male generalizing all women that look like the hip-hop video girls as being the same way as them; women in the contrary cannot act like if men is the only guilty one in making these women look like sex toys, because these video girls have agreed with men to give women the wrong image.
Women can control their sexuality, but they cannot control what men think about their sexuality. During Joan and Mark conversation the Mike Tyson rape trial was a topic that gave both sides a lot to argue about, (Mike Tyson was a white man who was a Lacrosse team member and raped a black woman called, Desiree Washington) Joan and Mark talked about whether or not Hip-hop culture offers black women the opportunity “to have desire directed towards them” (240). Mark’s definition of “desire” might have been one of the causes why Mike Tyson decided to sexually attack Washington. Desiree Washington might have been confident woman who was not scared of expressing her sexuality, and due to the scenes and stereotypes that Hip-hop videos portray about black women Tyson’s perception of Washington was the one of a woman who was meant to satisfy his needs.
In conclusion, whether or not Hip-hop music gives women a very sexual image, women have the power and responsibility of expressing their sexuality in a way that is not meant for men to get pleasure, but to show women’s love and respect for their bodies.
Citations:
Neal, Mark Anthony, Morgan, Joan. “A Brand-New Feminism.” Total Chaos: The Art and Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. Ed. Jeff Chang. BasicCivitas, 2006. 233-44
Itzel Diaz
Professor Sabir
English 1B
September 3, 2009
Movement of Expression:
A response to Cape Flats Alchemy: Hip-Hip artist in South Africa
Cape Flats Alchemy: Hip-Hip artist in South Africa explains the development of Hip-Hop in the South African culture through out the eyes of Shaheen Ariefdien and Nazli Abrhams. In South Africa Hip-hop is seen as “the process of transforming yourself and your environment.” (262); hip-hop was started primarily “to provide young people with a meaningful platform for expression.”(267). In South Africa hip-hop is more of a revolutionary movement that aloud its followers to express their ideals and also to think that everything that you fight for can become possible.
Hip-hop is the perfect vehicle of expression to the South African revolutionary movement; Hip-hop aloud young people from South Africa to express their disagreements with the government without having to be physically aggressive, it also aloud South Africans to see that as individuals they were not the only ones who had something to say about the government. In the section “From Slave Ships to Townships” (265) from the essay Cape Flats Alchemy: Hip-Hip artist in South Africa, Shaheen and Abrahams explained that, “The anger and the expression were not just about chanting down the apartheid enemy but also a means to connect with other young people who felt similarity.” (265) The “similarity” that Shaheen and Abraham talk about was the key to South Africans to be part of a revolutionary movement that did not involved any weapons, but that used words to open everybody’s eyes to what hip-hop artist thought was injustice.
Hip-hop in South Africa is considered an art that expresses the reality of our lives. Shaheen and Nazli explained their interpretation of Hip-hop as being an art in which Hip-hop is a reflection of reality, “We are of the opinion that art does not only mirror reality but that it shapes reality. Even beyond that, art is about embodying reality with all of its contradictions, its complexities, and its sensitivities.” (269) Shaheen and Nazli express how hip-hop is a reflection to what we see as our reality. Expressions such as writing, singing and dancing are all part of hip-hop; they are part of the art that aloud South Africa to expressed their inconformity with their reality and help them developed the possibility and the strength to create a different reality.
Citations:
Abrahams, Nazli. Ariefdien, Shaheen. “Cape Flats Alchemy: Hip-Hop Arts in South Africa” Total Chaos: The Art of Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. Ed. Jeff Chang. BasicCivitas, 2006. 262-70
Erica Williams
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50
Assignment: Free write” Counting Headz”
From the United States to Africa, it is obvious that the women in Hip Hop are fighting to be respected as artists in this male dominated industry. However, after watching the film “Counting Headz”, it seems to me that the women in Africa are really focused on creating lyrics that consider the reputations of their children and families. Unlike the women of Hip Hop in Africa, in my opinion, the women in the film “Say My Name” were less concerned with the affects of their lyrics on their children and families, but on the impact it made in society. I really respect the women’s views in the film, and I can relate to them as a mother. It is important to be expressive and speak your mind, but to be respectful of yourself and your family at the same time. All the women in the film spoke of empowerment in some aspect that they expressed either through their music or some other form of art (i.e. graffiti). The all used things in their environment to give them inspiration, like the revolution and other political issues in Africa. It so amazing to see all these women across the world united in some way through the art of hip hop.
Extra Credit... Here is the link to Kevin Powell's essay, "The Sexist In Me" It's really something!!!
Erica Williams
https://mymission.lamission.edu/.../CONFESSIONS_OF_A_RECOVERING_MISOGYNIST.doc
Erica Williams
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50
Assignment: Response to “A Brand New Feminism”
There are two words to describe my reaction after reading “A Brand New Feminism” in Jeff Chang’s “Total Chaos”; I cried. This portion of the book relays the conversation between Jeff Chang and black feminists, Joan Morgan and Mark Anthony Neal. Their conversation spoke of things that I have always felt as a black woman, and it broke me down to think that I have finally found someone that I can relate to as a black woman. The harsh reality of it all, is that this is something that always been and always will be a part of who we are as a society.
The conversation discusses Mark Anthony Neal’s name tag as a “male feminist”, because he shows admiration for the black woman and respects who black women are. Neal says,” There’s a fine line between objectification of Black female sexuality and appreciation of it.” This statement holds such a very special place to me personally because I feel that we as society have allowed the media’s depiction of women determine how we feel about ourselves and our self worth. I also feel that Mark Anthony Neal being pegged a “male feminist” is just another one of media’s monsters trying to make him feel indifferent for who he really is. Sexuality is something that should be appreciated and not disrespected or twisted to breakdown a woman’s self esteem because she, for example, chooses to show her body in a music video. However, as Joan Morgan poses an excellent question,” Why is there no system of accountability for women to each other?” Joan’s question really hits hard, because in my opinion it is not only the men who objectify women as “sex objects”, but also women. There is no accountability as Joan put it for women as a whole. There is so much competition to be accepted in this male dominated society that women tear each other down. I thought about the situation with Mike Tyson and his rape case. He gained so much support from people, because as usual the woman who was accusing him of the crime was objectified as nothing more than a slut, and being that there is so much competition for women to be accepted by men, she had no support around her.
There is a sense of realness in the title” A Brand New Feminism”. Why? I feel that maybe we have finally reached a peak of what is real in today’s depiction of sexuality versus yesterday’s depiction. Although we have a long road to go, I think that a new feminism means that we can now begin to recognize the truth of how we really look at sexuality. Yes women are beautiful to look at, and even though we are in music videos, and other sexually motivated situations, we are who we are and should be seen as nothing less. After reading this conversation between Joan and Mark, I feel like there is now an opportunity for women to be more accountable for each other and break the stereotypes that hover above us.
Work Cited:
Chang, Jeff,"Total Chaos: The Art and Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. Ed.”:” A Brand New Feminism” with Joan Morgan and Mark Anthony Neal.BasicCivitas.2006 Pages 235 and 237
Erica Williams
English 1B
TTh 9-10:50
Assignment: Response to “Cape Flats Alchemy”
After reading “Cape Flats Alchemy”, I had to ask myself: What does the word alchemy mean exactly. The word alchemy simply put means transforming or enchanting power. When reading this passage I got a good sense of how South African hip hop artists channel their energy. The passage mirrors two hip hop artists, one who is a former member of a group called Prophets of da City in Cape Town South Africa. It is so amazing to see the United States’ influence on South Africa’s hip hop society and to see the transformation or “alchemy” as this has been titled.
Much of the artists’ inspiration is driven from the things around them. One artist says,” For many heads, this was a period conducive to the expression of anger channeled through aerosol art,breakdancing, or writing raps to express everything against the system. The anger and the expression were not just about chanting down the apartheid enemy but also a means to connect with the other young people who felt similarly.” This was opportunity for artists to come together and unite against all things negative in their country. Hip hop art became an avenue for them to channel their energy and thoughts. I think it brings a sense of comfort and unity among them to breakdown their frustrations and allows them to feel a lot less lonely is such a tough situation.
In the movie “Counting Headz: South Afrika’s Sistas in Hip Hop”, I found one emcee in particular to be very captivating. Chi was a single mother of one son, and even though she was a rap artist who spoke her mind, she felt it was important to think about her family when writing her lyrics. I appreciated her strength in staying true to her lyrics, even in the male dominated music industry which is so parallel to the United States music industry. According to Chi there were “traditional” ideas of a women’s role in Africa. Many women were coerced into changing their lyrics and being more provocative in order to have their music heard. I respected Chi so much because she could not be broken, and she stood behind her lyrics. In order to be completely immersed into hip hop culture in South Africa means you have to stand for who you are no matter what the cost. I feel that it is so unfortunate that the problem of sexism and misogyny are so prevalent in the hip hop culture not only in the United States, but in places like South Africa as well.
Work Cited:
Encarta World English Dictionary, 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation.
Chang, Jeff, "Total Chaos: The Art and Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. Ed.:” Cape Flats Alchemy”. BasicCivitas.2006 Page 265
“Counting Headz: South Afrika’s Sistas in Hip Hop”, Vusi Magubane, Erin Offer 2006 DVD
Saudia Said
Free Write on Counting Headz
The artists in "Counting Headz: South Afrikan's Sistaz in Hip Hop" have many stuggles in common with the rap artists in "Say My Name". Although I watched only the second half of "Say My Name" I understood the struggles. Both women were had to raise their children alone and give them the best possible childhood. The artists in South Africa were single mom's who put their family first but never stopped dreaming of expressing themselves. Both American and South African artists entered a male dominated industry in which they had to fight for their passion. Their lyrics has slowly brought about change in their society. The South African hip hop artists were more cautious of not embarrassing their parents and really appreciated their culture and heritage. The artists in Say My Name didn't talk to much about their culture or traditions that influence their lyrics.
In Cape Flats Alchemy, two hip hop members Saheen and Nazli hope to teach hip hop to the youth and have them embrace the rhymes and lyrics. Hip Hop in Cape Town represented South Africans who were creating art and searching for the truth. Cape Flats artists did not follow the American trend nor were they influenced by British pop. They didn't reject American hip hop artists, but didn't accept them because they didn't understand true African culture and tradition. They explain “ U.S. Hip-hop is very much love-hate. On one side we have respect and acknowledge for the part U.S. Hip-hop played in our work. Some of us feel that U.S. Artists like the idea of Africa but do not really respect the people of Africa.” (Total Chaos 266) Cape Town artists used hip hop to explain how the coloured people came to all share the same struggle. The coloured people needed an outlet to share their experiences and break free from British colonialism. Art is not only perfect to share a countries progress but its perfect because art shouldn't be judged or criticized. What Cape Flats artist did was show their people how out of no equipment or technology they created wisdom and a window for others to express their feelings.
Work Cited
Chang, Jeff. "Cape Flats Alchemy." Total Chaos The Art And Aesthetics of Hip-hop. New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2007. 262-70. Print.
Saudia Said
English 1B
Above Comment
Great comment Amy. You use concrete examples and your comparisons between the two films and the women portrayed in each was insightful. This is a great freewrite. Where is the longer assignment?
Derek, where is your response to the homework assignment?
Erica,thanks for the link to the article. Your response to the two questions is powerful and well-written!
Saudia, great comment--short and to the point.
Itzel, you also make good points. Did you read Erica's comment on Mike Tyson? Tyson is a boxer who was convicted of rape.
To be a black black feminist means to be one who champions the cause of feminism, which is ultimately to liberate women and place them on an equal standing with men. He did not seek to be given that title, but it came as a result of his stance on issues and his work. The story that these two share is remarkable. To grow up and wind up having some of the same ideas once you get older is one thing. It is entirely something else to end up side by side in the same fight. I think that they are both bold for having the audacity to stake their claim as feminists in hip hop as opposed to being one's from the outside looking in. As a result, they have a fight on their hands with people in their own "camp" that they could have avoided. However, they are as necessary as they are bold. There is a need for people to look at hop-hop for what it is and does within its ranks, and not without, in order to more accurately address the dodgers of hard to answer questions.
I don't remember the verdict of the Mike Tyson case off hand, but the book hints that he lost his case. The incident involving the lacrosse team did slide into oblivion, like all of the other things besides the war on terror and the '09 presidential race. I must say that I have become desensitized to the things that appear on the television, with no help by the continual stream of events that replace it. Am I shocked as I think about this? Absolutely. I think, "A lacrosse team did what to whom," but that will fade when I turn the music up on my computer. There is a sense of powerlessness that the media imposes upon many of its viewers as it airs and switches subjects so swiftly.
To be a male feminist that speaks to from the perspective of one in the hip hop community is ideal. That is like being hungry and finding yourself trapped in grocery store. There is an endless about of material for them to address that will keep them busy and others questioning. The title of the transcribed conversation or panel discussion -- A Brand-New Feminism is perfect because it is distiguished from the feminism which is particularly concerned with women who struggle to exit the house and work against a small number of societal forces. However, the feminists fighting on behalf of women in Hip Hop are fighting against those forces as well as a number of others.
One of the ideas that are explored in Mark and Joan's conversation that got my attention was what they said about creating a sace for mutual pleasure in videos as opposed to sex being just for the male's satisfaction. What comes to my mind initially is Cassidy's video wherein he is being climbed on my this "latina chick" in a hotel room. Their very appearance in a hotel room says that this must be a groupie, but it definately says that this is her conquest for his ultimate pleasure. That is to say that she gets pleasure out of this experience because she is "doing" him, but he gets pleased because he is the one being "done." Rarely, if ever, is a man shown pursuing a woman to make love to her, because she is the woman of his dreams to whom he is committed. Women are usually the varitable palm and lubricant with which men masturbate. Sex is supposed to be pleasurable to her only to the please of his ego, not her. She is never the focus, while the truth remains that "good sex" is a give and take.
I also appreciate how the camera is taken off the rapper in denial about what he is doing and placed on the woman with the little shorts on and the sex in her eyes. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING," is what they ask her and I love that. Women seem to have been escaping the burning light of scrutiny that they deserve as well. Since they are so numerous and nameless,they can get away with murder, however, they ought to be put "on blast" like Nelly, Jadakiss and the rest. Thank God for "Brand New Feminism."
Jessica Farnlacher
In the films "Counting Headz" and "Say My Name," the main issue of pursuing a hip hop career was the problem that no one really took female M.C.s seriously. I believe that women have control over the way other people perceive them. Unfortunately, a lot of women decide that it's okay to pursue careers in hip hop which expose them as sex symbols and further support the name "bitches and hoes," given to women within rap music. Hip-hop gives women a very sexual image. Women agree to be filmed in music video blind to the fact that they are not only repping the artist, they're also repping women and giving women the stereotypical title of a sexual item, giving the male the dominant feeling they want. They also influence males' choice in women; men are men, and a lot of them are looking for what they see in the media.
Work Cited:
Chang, Jeff,"Total Chaos: The Art and Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. Ed.”:” A Brand New Feminism” with Joan Morgan and Mark Anthony
Here's a good song written by Tupac called "Brenda's got a Baby," that I think is a sad, but heart-striking story of a woman who was affected gruesomely by a hard lifestyle and MALE DOMINANCE. I think the way he went about it was very appropriate compared to how other men perceived women in their music. He also notes in his song that the man who impregnated Brenda was a molester. So he not only speaks the story of a woman, he also expresses the an outcome of a male dominant effect on women.
Brenda's got a Baby
Brenda's got a Baby
I hear Brenda's got a baby
But Brenda's barely got a brain
A damn shame
The girl can hardly spell her name
(That's not her problem, that's up ta Brenda's family)
Well let me show ya how it affects tha whole community
Now Brenda really never knew her moms and her dad was a
junky
Went in debt to his arms, it's sad
Cause I bet Brenda doesn't even know
Just cause your in tha ghetto doesn't mean ya can't grow
But oh, that's a thought, my own revelation
Do whatever it takes ta resist the temptation
Brenda got herself a boyfriend
Her boyfriend was a cousin, now lets watch tha joy end
She tried to hide her pregnancy, from her family
Who really didn't care to see, or give a damn if she
Went out and had a church of kids
As long as when tha check came they got first dibs
Now Brendas belly is gettin bigger
But no one seems ta notice any change in her figure
She's 12 years old and she's having a baby
In love with tha molester, whos sexin' her crazy
And yet she thinks that he'll be with her forever
And dreams of a world with tha two of them together,
whatever
He left her and she had tha baby solo, she had it on tha
bathroom floor
And didn't know so, she didn't know, what ta throw away and
what ta keep
She wrapped tha baby up and threw him in tha trash heap
I guess she thought she'd get away
Wouldn't hear tha cries
She didn't realize
How much tha little baby had her eyes
Now tha babys in tha trash heap bawlin'
Momma can't help him, but it hurts ta hear him callin'
Brenda wants ta run away
Momma say, you makin' me lose pay, tha social workers here
everyday
Now Brenda's gotta make her own way
Can't go to her family, they won't let her stay
No money no babysitter, she couldn't keep a job
She tried ta sell crack, but ended up getting robbed
So now what's next, there ain't nothin left ta sell
So she sees sex as a way of leavin hell
It's payin tha rent, so she really can't complain
Prostitute found slain, and Brenda's her name, she's got a baby
Baaaaaaaaby
(don't you know she's got a baby)
(don't you know she's got a baby)
(don't you know she's got a baby)
In the film “Counting Heads: South African Sistaz in Hip Hop” were all trying to get there selves known in the hip hop industry. All theses woman had different ways of expressing themselves whether it was through rapping, singing, emceeing, activism and graffiti; they were all trying to express their selves. Just like the ladies in the film “Say My Name”, they were all trying to make it in a male dominated industry of hip hop. Both movies show short life stories of these talented women being forced to either give up their dreams of expressing themselves in one way to fit the way that the males in the music wanted them to be. The woman was being force to change whether they wanted to or not just to fulfill the ideal woman in the industry. Woman from South Africa have an image of a person who is subordinate to men, barely wearing clothes and at home taking care of the kids and dinner but in reality that is not true. These woman in the film Counting Heads were just like us in American but the only difference is they are trying to make it in the music industry but they have to change themselves just to get a chance. Both film let the woman talk about the struggles they had to endure just to get notice or even have an important person see them. These women were told to change their lyrics to be like the other woman in the industry. it is an endless struggle with the woman in the South Africa just to prove themselves to the hip hop industry.
Though thousands of miles away, the Sistaz of South Africa share similar ideas and values that represent the building blocks of their music. Both groups of women aim to inspire others to reach for their goals and not let anything get in the way or them or put them down. The Sistaz of South Africa also wanted to make their voice heard among thousands in a male dominated industry.
The Sistaz also stand strong next to their values and how they beleive women should be respected and equal to men. They want people to look beyond their appearance to hear their music. Like the women in "Say my Name" they dont want to be put in a seperate category than men. As one women said in the film, she found it disrespectul to hear people say "she's really good for a girl." These women represent succesful femenists who deserve to be recognized for their hard work and talent, rather than their sexual features.
Freewrite: Counting Headz
In the film "Counting Headz: South African Sistaz in Hip-Hop" we got to experience what life is like for the women of Hip-Hop in South Africa. This film much resembled to "Say My Name" because it revolved around the fact that women have a struggle to make thereselves known in the Hip-Hop industry and to gain respect. The women made it known in the film that you shouldn't let the male race overpower you or overshadow you in the industry. They make sure to let there voice be heard and to not be afraid of their strength. All the women draw from different inspirations and show their dedication in different ways. I noticed though in the film "Counting Headz" that the women seemed a little more scary and came off violent when they rapped versus the women in "Say My Name" where just aggressive and tough.
Jose Vasquez
English 1B
Response to “Counting Headz”
The Film Counting Headz was really interesting because we got to see the lives of the women in the hip-hop industry in Africa. Most of the women in the film talked about how hard it was for them to get recognized in the business because most people criticized then because they seem as a joke to them. The women talked about how they are different from male hip-hop rappers. They talked about how Male rappers talked about issues that do not make sense. Most male rappers talk about being a thug, having the cars, the girls and having the money and to the female hip-hop artist that seems like really inappropriate. They feel that men always degrade women in the hip-hop and they feel that they have to change the culture of it by raping about women and the capacity that they have.
One thing that I really found interesting was that in the USA many female hip-hop artists have an image of being the women that most male rappers talk about in their videos. I have heard songs by female rap artist that really seem very inappropriate for them to sing about. They have lyrics that seem really nasty and if people heard them they would think that those women act like it. The women in Counting Headz have a different image then American rappers, they seem to choose better lyrics and seem to care about the way society might think abut them.
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