Home » Blog » What could “WAP” Tells Us about Feminist Progress?
Criticism of hip hop lyrics is nothing new. For decades, assorted media types and concerned parents have been decrying the genre for the “immoral and reprehensible” content of many of its songs. Whether it’s violence, materialism, or vulgarity, talking heads have always found something to complain about when talking about rap and R&B.
But the outrage takes on a whole new dimension when it comes to female sexuality in lyrics – especially because it comes from all different directions. While it’s conservative and religious figures who regularly rail against hip hop, explicit songs about the female sexual experience also find critics in liberals, fellow rappers, and even supposed feminists.
Such is the case of “WAP,” Cardi B’s latest single featuring Megan Thee Stallion. The song is very clearly an anthem for women’s sexual pleasure, with explicit lyrics that are certainly not for the faint of heart. But none of it really breaks new ground. The tune follows in the tradition of Khia’s “My Neck, My Back” and Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat,” plus Lil’ Kim, Trina, Millie Jackson, and countless others. And yet, as soon as “WAP” hit the airwaves, the condemnations started flying in.
It’s easy to dismiss Ben Shapiro and his ilk – they traffic in conservative outrage. But Cardi and Meg have also had to contend with hot takes from fellow celebs like CeeLo Green and Russell Brand, who is apparently now a feminist. Unfortunately for these men, the public at large is not buying into their concern trolling. “WAP” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke the YouTube record for the biggest debut by an all-female collaboration. The song also received critical acclaim and was praised for its sex-positive message.
It’s not hard to see why audiences are paying no mind to the bad faith arguments against “WAP.” Sex positivity is a big pillar of fourth-wave feminism, and movements like Amber Rose’s Slutwalk have impacted the way people view female sexuality and pleasure. In the era of nudes, Millennial and Generation Z women are realizing the importance of taking ownership of their bodies and even finding power through them. Don’t believe us? Just look at the adult entertainment industry.
While there are lots of female porn stars, the power in the industry has historically been held by men. Men who recruit them, men who direct them, men who produce their films. In traditional adult entertainment, men are the gatekeepers of female sexuality. But all that is changing in the digital age. Slowly but surely, the middlemen in the industry have been losing power and influence, giving way to real and authentic depictions of female pleasure.
Nowadays, adult entertainers don’t need to be “discovered” by agents or hired by producers to be able to work. From mainstream platforms like Instagram to live camming and subscription sites like OnlyFans, women have an array of options to express their sexuality – whether it’s just titillating or explicit. Just browsing through Cherry, a leading adult cam site, you can find dozens of cam performers of all kinds whom share content and claim the bulk of their earnings instead of splitting them with countless others.
Of course, there’s still a ways to go for society to truly accept the full spectrum of women’s sexuality, pleasure, and desires. But it’s probably fair to say we’re going in the right direction. And though it might be just a pop song with silly lyrics like “punani Dasani,” Cardi’s sex-positive anthem will go down in history as one more step in the climb toward feminist liberation.