Is Ashley Judd Right About Hip-Hop? Actress Calls Out 50 Cent, Diddy and Others
Ashley Judd may not be a hip-hop head, but when the actress shared her thoughts on the genre’s depictions of women, many felt that she was speaking truth.
The actress and sister of country singer Wynona Judd, is known for films such as “Kiss the Girls”, “Double Jeapordy” and “Where the Heart Is”, is considered one of Hollywood’s all-American girls. In her memoir, “All That Is Bitter and Sweet”, Judd attacked several hip-hop artists for their misogynistic lyrics. In the memoir, released last week, Judd writes:
“As far as I’m concerned, most rap and hip-hop music – with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as ‘ho’s’ – is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny.”
Judd has taken heat for her comments with many saying that she has painted the genre with a broad brush, using its worse to condemn it as a whole. In an effort to clarify her comments, Judd spoke to Russell Simmons via Global Grind. In the interview Judd said:
“…What I’m being accused of is condemning rap and hip-hop as a whole, and the whole community and when they say community, they mean the fans, and African-Americans, it’s become so generalized. My intention was to take a stand to say the elements that are misogynistic and treat girls and women in a hyper-sexualized way are inappropriate. The male dominance that is displayed, and the reinforcement of girls’ and women value and identify as primarily sexual, is not helpful in any artistic expression, in any cultural form, whether its country music or in television story lines.”
In “All That Is Bitter and Sweet”, Judd calls out Snoop Dogg and Diddy in particular saying that the rappers have built their careers on exploiting women. And while she may not be chummy with those rappers, Judd commented on her relationship with 50 Cent, saying:
“As for the artists themselves who I mention, I write about being friendly with and enjoying Curtis Jackson’s company, then being confused when on stage his 50 [Cent] personae comes out.”
While she has been put in the hot seat for her comments, Judd’s point about the difference between Curtis Jackson and 50 Cent, raise an interesting question about the split personality of hip-hop’s biggest names.
Rappers like 50 Cent, Diddy, and Snoop represent a conundrum for lovers of hip-hop. While all three stand for different segments of the genre, they have all gained notoriety for their music, which often puts down women or casts them in an unflattering light. But does their music reflect their own penchant for misogyny or is it simply all part of their stage image?
What are your thoughts on Judd’s comments? Is she right about hip-hop? Share your thoughts Clutchettes!
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She needs to clean up her OWN backyard before she whines how dirty soneone else’s is but since black women will jump on ANY bandwagon to attack black men you all don’t care she is full of it and has an agenda.
That’s it in a nutshell, it’s pretty predictable and pathetic.
This is what kills me about Black folks, you will never see Jewish people or Latinos worrying about what Vivica fox thinks but ANY random person can be an expert in our business.
I really think people are missing the point of Ashley Judd’s comment and making it a race thing. The fact is HIP HOP is misogynistic–that is the topic of THIS article. The fact that Judd said it doesn’t make it any less true. Hell Judd didn’t have to say it for me to agree. I’ve been saying that. My friends have been saying that. The question was “What are your thoughts on Judd’s comments?” My thoughts–SHE’S RIGHT. Because she is. If Beyonce said it–she’d be right. If my random Korean neighbor said it–she would be right. WHEN I SAY IT–I AM RIGHT. I’m not bashing the industry–it is what it frickin’ is; the lyrics and videos perpetuated by the individuals in the industry (both male AND female) are misogynistic. POINT. BLANK. PERIOD.
All this “black people hop on bandwagons” bull is for the BIRDS. I studied misogyny, there was never any bandwagon for me to hop on but my own.
It says just as much about the individuals who support a culture that BASHES and REDUCES BLACK WOMEN TO OBJECTS, DAILY, by claiming “black women are hopping on black men bashing bandwagons” than our alleged bashing says about us.
Furthermore, while it is true that hip-hop isn’t the only entertainment outlet that is misogynistic, that wasn’t the scope of Judd’s comments. While she might have been more successful in her attempts to highlight misogyny had she talked about Playboy, Penthouse and porn–she didn’t, and that may mean something; but, it still doesn’t discount the fact that her statement about hip-hop is true.
So true! Thank you.
agreed! Ms.Judd do not back down. i stopped listening to rap years ago. the lyrics are disgusting and depict women as nothing but objects. Rap can go straight to hell for all i care.
I agree with Ashley Judd 100 percent & i’m a black women.
@ Lovelygurl23, like yourself, i stopped listening to Rap music as well. It’s trashy and now everything is sex, sex, sex. Rap had a meaning back in the day. I believe HIP HOP IS DEAD, and could care less what anybody feel or think about it!
Black women are so FUNNY with your hypocrisy! You have the nerve of nerve to praise ASSley Judd for having the ‘courage’[sic] to attack rappers yet will get EXTRA pissed when white people go after YOU with negative comments for black women fighting in viral videos. Like the hoodrats fighting a middle aged woman over spaghetti or the teen black girls attacking two white girls at a amusement park or the GRANDMOTHER fighting in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Or the dummies fighting at football games and in line at Mcdonald’s or fighting at a movie theater then you have shows like Bad Girls or Next Top Model or Real World or Survivor or RHOA or Flavor of Love or Basketball Wives that celebrate the WORST black women the world has to offer. When black men feel rappers are being singled out and mention what white males do you all piss and moan that you ‘don’t want to hear that’ or ‘don’t care’ or ‘that has nothing to do with you’ yet when YOU feel like you are being treated with double standards you point finger at white women in a HEARTBEAT!! It’s ok for you to bring white women into your argument when you feel you are being unfairly targeted but you REFUSE to allow black men the same luxury?!! Pathetic.
You have it right and guess what black women and girls should continue to be that way.Black women don’t owe it to black men to take up for them and visa versa.
It’s called putting self first honey.Get over it.If you were a black woman talking about black men don’t protect you from ridicule I’d send you this same message.I’d tell you that it
is NOT black men’s duty to take up for you.We’ll all be happier once we learn this.
She is freaking right! When did black people-the people of “keeping it real” become so afraid of the term? Because she is white she can’t have an opinion? So, a black man/women kills or murders a person and if a white person says-that’s a shame. Knowing we all are saying WTH, they shouldn’t say it? So, your saying black people shouldn’t comment on Lindsey Lohan drinking or Kin Kardashian making hoe videos. Better yet, don’t say a word about any whites. It’s only horrible when we say it? The example is exaggeration but the overall point is the same. MOST of the rappers promote some BS! There are a few that are really good at what they do. The same money, cars, red-bone women, baby momma, on the block, I get high crap is OLD! The women are naked and the depiction of women in general is demeaning. MOST of these men have never seen a block and most have never dated ANY of the women in these videos until they received a check. I have let that crap go except for a few. It is getting old. When do we grow up? That is not to say we can’t enjoy different genres of music but when does Rap grow up? Guess what? When the consumer grows the hell up so will rap….now what….
So when the hell DO black people speak out about white people not racist my A##!! If she does ‘care’ so much why not go after her OWN industry?! Nobody says a DAMN THING about all the sleaze and perversion that white males make yet this dumb broad has the nerve to go there with rappers?! She didn’t have jack to say with this was Don Imus or Andrew Dice clay or al the nasty hateful comments from white AND black men toward Michelle Obama where was miss ASSley then?!
Times have definately changed. It is definately 2011 and not 1811. Why do I say this? Because when has it become a crime to for a white woman to speak her mind as long as she is not being racist? Why cant a white women speak her mind on a issue that concerns a certain segment of Black male entertainers. Wow…times have changed! I dont think she said something racist. I dont! I think she had an opinion. It does not offend me. I dont think black male rappers should so quickly take it that she is attacking them or being racist. That maybe she is speaking out of frustration the same frustrations they speak of in their lyrics. What is it that she said in her books that is any different than what they say in their lyrics. In all honest what they say is much much more harsher. But, black women tolerate it and spoil black men. Now, I am not saying this is wrong that they choose to spoil them and let them make it my way or the highway. But, in other cultures men interact with women differently. So, I can see how as a woman and human being she is frustrated like they get frustrated and she exposed herself. I cant knock her for that. I rather appreciate anyone who speaks their mind without have to go racist. And, her comments werent racist!
The one thing that has always and I mean always frustrated me about the black race for hundreds of years black people and black men especially always demanded respect and racial equality. Here now back men are at a point where people are starting to acknowledge them as human beings even if they dont always necessarily treat them as such. Lets face it! This is no longer a white mans world. Its more of a white womans world with black men having great influence on the world. Even if people dont respect black men that idolize their style and entertainment. Black men are walking fad’s. They greatly influence the world while white women rule it. Black men ideals of life and entertainment plays a factor in how people operate in this world whether people want to admit it or not!
So, as black men get this influence people start to address them for that influence that they have on life. How black men treat women, how they see and handle life and their influence. I see how white men, asian men and hispanic men treat their women or any woman whether she is white, black, asian or latino. I also see how black men interact with women or how they discuss them in a song. I think that Ashley was viewing her statements on such things. I think perhaps she was concerned that influence of rap would have on women, society and culture. I think more women of different races are goign to take note as they starts to affect them or out of shear frustration from being a woman.
Lets face it not in a trillion gazillion years would black women ever forsake black men to say what ashley said or even dream in their sleep of saying the cruel, maliciokus or harsh things said about women and black women in general in rap songs. Black men would never and I do mean never forgive black women. Rap music negativity has done some serious damage to women especially black women. The sad part is to just even say it is cold is like saying I hate you. Instead of please how can black people as whole work together to not be so harsh towards each other.
It saddens me because if black men after all they have been through in history and continue to may go through if history was to repeat itself can do this or any black person or any race that has been discriminated against can be this way about another human being especially one they are linked with. Then, that goes to show you have been no different or no better than the people who judged and have discriminated against you. I certainly wouldnt ever listen to a song that dared talked about black men in the way they talk about women and/or black women in general.
I’m sorry honey what you mentioned about black men is not true.It is STILL a white mans world,and maybe an Asian man’s world, and many successful black men are mostly happy little puppets and pawns which is how they gain wealth and most positions they are in.Many of them idolize the moors who were killed off by giving away all their valuable resources and information to white people and breeding themselves into extinction to the point where many of their now white descendants claim they never were.
Black men don’t own rap,boxing,basketball none of it.They just work there and pray that every now and again a good white man will come along and ALLOW them to be a figurehead and own .5-1% of a team(Jay-Z).
I got to give it to you laila apples I like reading your opinions! With the white population decreasing and considering it was never larger than the rest of the non-white population. Asians and Hispanics are the wave of the future in the U.S. and the world. I mean look in Asia billions of people in China, another billion or billions in India alone. Thats a lot of people and alot of loving (laughs). With less white women breeding full bloodied white children that has greatly impacted the white race right there alone in such places like the U.S.
Black men have strong and potent genes they are sprouting children everywhere and with everybody.They usually have a couple of different of partners that have their children though that runs across racial lines. It is highly more prevelant I think with black men however. There are too many black people in the world…be it the U.S. and the rest of the Americas/Carribean etc. and Africa to say that black people are not also a large ethnic group now and in the future.
Unfortuantely, it would have been nice for there to be an even distrubution of all races white, black, asian, though that is not possible. Anyways, nature must take its own course! Black men dont rule the world but I do feel they have a large influence. They have great influence and likeability. But power and respect or wealth (NO). Which at the end of the day and at the begining of every morning is what counts the most. The rest will get you singing, dancing, rapping, sexing, hooping and jumping through the day.
Now do black men have power or do people take them serious enough in the way to respect them? Do they have the respectability of a white man or woman, or an asian man or woman or an hispanic man or woman? In my personal opinion, they do not. I do think that they could have but I think to their own demise and weaknesses I believe that will never happen. (and I think anyone can have weakenesses that are hinderances but it goes to how much of an hinderance you allow yourself or make yourself to be or that is placed upon you by others and how much you can afford to have that hinderance which is what sets them apart in this regard)
This. Very, very well said! I appreciate your keeping the ever-present apologist tone out of your comment as so many Black Women so readily do, coddling the bm ego. It negates the entire point.
So, thank you!
@Laila Apples
What the hell are you talking about?!! This isn’t about taking up for black men this calling people on their BULLS**T for a white person to criticize rappers when many times they promote the SAME behavior is like Ted Bundy calling Jeffrey Dahmer a ‘demented sicko’. This is when arrogant a## white people don’t know when to keep their ego and hypcorisy in check I’m not saying this for black men I’m saying this because she is a fake,RACIST,hypcorite! I have white female sexuality on a DAILY basis shoved up my nose,down my throat,and in my face that AIN’T for the benefit of rappers. Who is buying FHM,Maxim,Inside Stuff,Shape who watches Manswers and made Baywtach successful who made celebrities out of hoes like Paris,Anna Nicole,Kim K,the Jersey Shore fools,Pam Anderson,Jenny Mcarthy. She needs to check herself because the main place she should be judging is a MIRROR!
“for a white person to criticize rappers when many times they promote the SAME behavior is like Ted Bundy calling Jeffrey Dahmer a ‘demented sicko”
So Ashley Judd has been financing the careers of misogynistic people?
I need detail on that hun.Ashley Judd is a white person NOT white PEOPLE.Show me why what SHE says is hypocritical and has no merit.For all I know she’s spoken out against white males and their rape and molestation.Oh wait she has.See she’s not a hypocrite at all
“I have white female sexuality on a DAILY basis shoved up my nose,down my throat,and in my face that AIN’T for the benefit of rappers”
LA:And even after all this black men perpetuate the same light brite white is right that all those magazines you named do.And even after what Ms.Judd said black men would still marry love protect and respect her over YOU.Did you know Jay Jay from good times actually dated Ann Coulter after all her negative statements about Obama?
I respect and appreciate your statements. You did state something true of the shoving down the throat but this is a white womans world and the media caters to it. This is not ashley fault and nor should it ever be a reason that she cant have an opinion about black men or their influence. That would be hypocritical.
White woman should always have a right to have an opinion like any other woman and yes what they say matters the most even more so than a black man and their great influence on society. I know which may be a small pill to swallow. But this white woman power has a great settling on politics, society, culture and how white man operate. Even if they dont even realize it. LOL THey are wearing the pants!
THe above statement was in reply to ashley like this one. Everyone should have an opinon white women and men, black people, asian etc. This may not always happen but I dont feel that because of white woman dominance on the world that should mean they have no right to discuss something pertaining to rap music.
White women do wear the pants on power in this world. Its not a good enough excuse why they cant have an opinion. (regardless) That had nothing to do with ashley addressing a type or rap sound.
Ashley is not racist toward black male rappers in the least! I am sure should was probably hurt to see that they would accuse her of that.
As long as you continue to say “they do it too” people will continue with ignorant ass behavior. If that is the excuse every time NOBODY will accept responsibility for their own behavior. Period! THE MUSIC sucks. THE VIDEOS suck.IT IS the same. Guess what so whatever goes on in country, dance , techno, what-the-hell-ever is NOT affecting their community but is affecting ours. The depiction of black women in videos/music is ignorant. So, as long as you keep making excuses for whomever they will continue to promote half naked women, cars, drugs, and this fascination with “bling”. I swear the truth is the hardest for AA to swallow especially coming from anyone that is outside the race.
The F**K is not affecting their community!! And it affects OURS too the bottom linhe is Ashley Judd is white yet what white males do doesn’t bother her nearly as much as what black men do?! That’s a CROCK and yes I will go there because either it’s ALL wrong or none of it’s wrong! I’m sick of black people acting like the ONLY thing young black males are exposed to is hip-hop and rap newsflash they don’t live in some protective bubble/cocoon where that’s the one thing they are exposed to. Your kids are JUST as vulnerable to what white people put out there and to say it has no influence on white youth is laughable at best and downright ignorant at worst.
Except you’re wrong Lauren she speaks on being molested by white men.It seems to me she speaks about all of the woman hating misogynists.Kudos to Ms.Judd.She was right and I’m glad she did NOT apologize
*the
I think Ashley came from a good place though I am sure many black male rappers might not think so. They have that right! I do believe that they are going to put the image out that they can dish it out but cant take it.
Is it her comment they are mad at or is it the fact that a white female said it or is it both?
Would they have gotten this bent out of shape if she was actually racist since they say this is what it is about (racism). This site is geared to AA but if you go to sites that have lesser AA populations and/or is more mainstream you see people implying even if they are afraid to say it (basically to sum it up in my own words). If she is a racist [which they think she is not] then they are sexist pigs. LOL
I like for it not to be that way! She does however have the right to speak her mind as they do. I wish that it could have been handle better. I am sure that it would be hard for those rappers who personally attacked her character by calling her something I dont feel she is and for misinterrupting her statements that a apology and truce or discussion would be more appropriate.
When I got the news that Ashley had made those comments in a new book. The first thing I thought was “Dear God, somebody get that white girl and hope for the best!” She is innocent, I feel she means no harm, but because she is a white woman I knew that many black male rappers were just second, minutes, moments away from blasting her and taking her down like it was no one’s business.
That she stepped out of her role and crossed the line a certain type of black male rappers business and manhood. I was just hopping they werent going to start calling her a bunch of h0*$ and b!tc#e$. All I truly wonder about this was if she would back track and how quick was she going to do it. If she wasnt a female would they have had the courage to do this?
She is not the first to speak out and speak up that wasnt black. Black women at birth wouldnt cross a black man and dote on them no matter what even if it is not always deserving. Black women cater to black men too much to have even dared.
But, there have been asians and hispanics who have voice concern or disgust regarding certain lyricist besides white people. I am afraid that black male rappers have to understand that they may not always get the reaction “I excuse you” and give you a pass like black women do.
This is important for them to realize because their roles have limitation. They maybe big but they are not larger than life. This is important for them to keep in mind since things have gotten so much better with latino males and black male relations. Asian people and black people as well. You dont hear black men saying that they are followed around in an asian store anymore like that one scene in South Central where that asian man said “I feel sorry for you mother!” That reminds me of Ashley comments….Lord Jesus! All hell broke lose!
First sentence I meant to say she isnt the first person who wasnt white to say something about rap music! LOL
Exactly! And I strongly believe it is this universal “pass” that we give them that keep this disgusting loop going. However, everyone still follows us around due to distrust. I mean really…who would trust a group of folks who openly degrade and insult their very own? If they could do that to each other, what would the do to me & mine?!
I’m disgusted. Thank you Ms. Judd.
Race matters have gotten better but I think it is important to keep in mind that rappers should want to promote an environment that people who live in fear and misunderstanding dont start feeling like the various years of discrimination was worthy i the past and that they are going to live a life like that of the movie, “Birth of a Nation”. Now that would be racism not ashley or her comments which was anything but racist! Nor, do I feel her intentions.
“Along with other performers, YouthAids was supported by rap and hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message,” she writes. “Those names were a red flag. As far as I’m concerned, most rap and hip-hop music, with it’s rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as ‘ho’s, is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny. I believe that the social construction of gender, the cultural beliefs and practices that divide the sexes and institutionalize and normalize the unequal treatment of girls and women, privilege the interests of boys and men, and most nefariously, incessantly sexualize girls and women, is the root cause of poverty and suffering around the world.”
those werent baseless opinions… maybe thats not the ONLY root of poverty and suffering around the world (lol she might have been overgeneralizing just a TAD there) but her points about rape cultre, mysogyny, and abusive lyrics are spot on… there is ‘conscious’ rap like the roots but theres a reason why its its own small sub-genre… most hip-hop puts a LOT of bad and nasty images into the youth’s heads… idk, maybe all you ‘angry Black people’ might need to really examine what she’s saying instead of jumping on the eff the racist white folks bandwagon so fast
She is ignorant and doesnt understand hip-hop, she has no right to talk about something like that which she knows nothing about!
The issue is not that she is white, the issue is people speaking about what they dont know about… Anybody who puts 50cent and P.Diddy in the same category is OBVIOUSLY ignorant about this genre of music.. As far as her misogony theory, what u call a girl who wears next to nothing and shakes her ass by a Bently, vs the woman you marry and love is 2 different things.. You dont turn on videos to see wife material.. A woman that cares about herself and what shes called will not be in videos shaking her ass, but a ho will.. The REAL ignorance is the fact that most people dont know the difference between hoes, woman, and bitches.. If u dont understand that there is a difference between all these terms, OF COURSE u would think that rappers call ALL WOMAN hoes and bitches.. Color doesnt dictate what you can speak on, your knowledge of the subject dictates if u should speak or not.. If u dont watch football, u cant sit there and talk smack about how they need to do change the NFL, youll always sound ignorant.. And thats all this is, ashley judds ignorance on the subject led her to these beliefs… I love her movies and im a black male, but she needs to chill out about things she doesnt know about..
DONT LIKE IT! DONT LISTEN…. JUST THAT SIMPLE