Hip-hop is a cultural and music movement that has a lot of influences. It started in the Bronx, New York, in the 1970s amongst those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to push against society and the upper classes. Popular hip-hop artists that shaped the genre as it is known today include Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Biggie Smalls, and Eazy-E. As well as rapping about social injustice, sex and prostitution have heavily influenced the hip-hop music scene. Read on to find out the influence that prostitution has had and some of the most popular songs that feature this theme.
Popular Hip-Hop Music Themes
Many themes have influenced the hip-hop genre, including sex and prostitution, which will be the main focus of this article. Some of the most popular themes include the following:
- Money
- Violence
- Going to jail
- Drugs
- Childhood experience
- Dreams of an expensive lifestyle
- Alcohol
Hip-Hop And Prostitution
Since its beginning, American hip-hop has never shied away from gritty subjects. At the beginning and into the 90s, the theme of pimps and prostitution was widespread on hip-hop tracks. This caused concern for many as they argued that this culture, where women were often described in a derogatory or explicit manner, was harmful. They also feared it made prostitution, as described in this music and represented in music videos, desirable for young women and girls who were vulnerable.
Although the objectivity of women is still present in hip-hop today, there has been a move away from prostitution themes, possibly due to wanting to maximize the appeal of their tunes as marketing and record labels become more socially aware. Another factor that could have influenced this is a shift of views toward sex work in general.
When organized and regulated properly, sex workers and escorts are in control, which can be empowering and open new doors to opportunities that may not have been available before. These women are in control of the services they choose, which will be clearly stated before any meet-ups occur. For example, the services that the escorts at Erobella provide are clearly listed on each profile.
Hip-Hop Tracks With A Prostitution Theme
Hip-hop lyrics are notoriously gritty. These are some popular songs from the genre that feature words about prostitution.
What Would You Do? – City High
American hip-hop and R&B trio City High earned a Grammy nomination for their 2001 single What Would You Do? The song discussed single parenthood and poverty and women who felt they had no other option but to turn to prostitution to provide for their children.
Somebody Gotta Do It (Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy) – Ice T
Rapper Ice T’s debut album, Rhyme Pays, released in 1987, detailed his street life, including his time working as a pimp. In the song, Somebody Gotta Do It (Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy), Ice T raps about what he does with the money gained from escorting women.
P.I.M.P. – 50 Cent
Rapper 50 Cent released P.I.M.Pin 2003, which is still one of his most famous songs. The song details the ‘pimp lifestyle’ and explicitly mentions sending women out to have sex for money.
