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Critic on ‘WAP’ Song

Rap superstars Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, shook the music industry with their

collabo on the ‘WAP’ song. The song has received a lot of criticisms due to the explicit

language and graphics in it. The song is termed as controversial due to its roots in misogyny

and sexism. From the critics’ view point, it is wrong for a black female artist to sexualize

themselves yet at the same time black male artists do not get criticized for sexualizing

women. This is wrong since women are only being treated as objects by men. The hit record

is a feminist anthem that breaks barriers and objectification, exposes double-binds and

misogyny while empowering female sexuality through hyperbole.

For a long time, a patriarchy has existed mainly to make women powerless. The

criticisms behind the ‘WAP’ hit record, are born from racial and patriarchal structures. The

main question here is why the liberation and sexual empowerment of women is a big threat to

the society. Historically women who embraced their sexuality were condemned (Friars N.,

2020). Women should not be made to feel ashamed of their own bodies, but they should

embrace it as it makes them powerful over the existing patriarchal structures in our society.

Taking on a medical point of view, the song suggests the importance of a ‘WAP’ as it is a

normal and healthy biological process, and it improves a woman’s experience during sexual

intercourse. Dr. Daniel Grossman supports the song by saying that without the lubrication,

‘Wetness’, the vaginal lining can be irritated or damaged (Lopez C., 2020). A woman’s

health is important.

The song gives us a sad reality of how sexually liberated women, especially black

women, are condemned and suppressed by the patriarchal and racial structures in society.

Over the years black men produced sexually explicit music, so why are women criticized? A

woman should be free to express her sexuality without criticism from their male counterparts.

We give credit to this song for exposing the double-binds that exist in our society.
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References

Frairs N. (December 24, 2020). WAP- Women As Powerful or Powerless to the Patriarchy?

Drew’s News. https://www.drewsnews.org/blog/wap-criticism

Lopez C. (August 11, 2020). Doctors are firing back at critics of ‘WAP,’ saying it’s healthy

for people to have lubricated genitals. INSIDER. https://www.insider.com/obgyn-on-

cardi-b-wap-lubricated-vaginas-are-healthy-2020-8