Video vixen

The work of video vixens and their portrayal in music videos have drawn criticism. Critics suggest that music-video models are typically placed in subordinate and submissive roles while male artists are shown in positions of power.[8][9] Others argue that music-video models are depicted as sexual objects, signs of male power, and referred to in derogatory terms such as "bitch" and "slut".[10][11][12]

In 2004, Nelly's video for his song "Tip Drill" came under particular criticism for its depiction and sexual objectification of women.[13][14] While some people pointed out that the women who appeared in Nelly's video voluntarily chose to participate,[15] others insisted that male rappers continue to sexually objectify hip hop models[9] while denying that the hip hop artists' career is, at least in part, based on the exploitation of other people.[16]

In 2005, former hip hop music-video model Karrine Steffans authored the book Confessions of a Video Vixen, in which she depicts the degradation of women in the world of hip hop. The book's publisher describes it as "part tell-all, part cautionary tale".[17] The book went on to be a best seller in the US.[18] Another hip hop model, Candace Smith, said in an XXL interview, "what I've seen on [hip hop music video] sets is complete degradation".[19]

Female rappers have most substantially felt this pressure, where sex appeal is now the currency by which women in the music business are both valued and devalued. In particular, female rappers such as Lil' Kim and Trina occupy what T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting calls a "peculiar place of cultural antipathy", often accused of selling out and blamed for participating in the exploitation of women.[1] Similarly, Nicki Minaj is arguably a 'video vixen' who is the 'object, subject, and author' of sexually explicit music videos.[1]

Female rappers who have shown themselves off as "video vixens" include Nicki Minaj, Trina, Eve, Rasheeda, Foxy Brown, Remy Ma, Da Brat, Jacki-O, Shawnna, Gangsta Boo, LoLa Monroe, Diamond Princess, Cardi B and many others. The role of women has evolved over time in the hip-hop world. Two artists in the early era of hip-hop, rapper Roxanne Shante and rap group Salt-N-Pepa, were well-known for rapping about defending the image of women.[7] They were responding to male hip-hop artists who habitually degrade women.[7] Rappers Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Trina, Nicki Minaj, and many others are all opposite and seem to accept this hyper-sexuality.[7][20]

Audre Lorde, who spoke out for black girls who are considered video vixens, said: "If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive."[21] The images presented in mass media, specifically in music videos, portray hyper-sensual images of the female sex. These images created within the world of hip hop reinforce the negative stereotypes associated with women, especially with black women.

It is pressuring for women musicians to conform to the porn standards because if not they will have to compete with the women who do.[20]

People realize that images of women is what rap music videos sell whether the women in the videos are playing the part of cheerleaders or die-hard groupies. Women in the videos are what gets the attention of men and guarantees a male audience.[20] The images are still shots of women taken from videos displaying their appearance. Women are tended to dress half naked and moving their body in sexual ways.[20] The media paint the picture that African American women are only seen as sexual figures in the society. Once these images are put out there these women are not the owner of their representation anymore.[21]

Gender Performance is an evolving category where hip hop artists express femininity in non-conventional ways that break the stereotype of the passive, hyper-sexualized female body as an object to be consumed.[22] Throughout the genre in graffiti, breakdancing, and rapping, women are addressing the issues associated with the passive stereotype of female representation in hip hop. Feminist activism in hip hop re-examines the relationship women have to the hip hop culture, and how women choose to assert their sexuality.

A form of femininity in hip hop is through asserting sexuality and using it as a dominant source of power, creating the notion of being liberated and a subject as opposed to an object.[23] Artists within this category use blatant sexuality to their advantage as a part of their marketing and work. Due to the commodification of hip hop and stereotyping, the "sex sells" concept became prominent within mainstream hip hop culture.[22]

Some video vixens who have made a name for themselves in the music video industry, as well as girls with limited work as hip hop models, have gone on to other types of work with greater success, mostly by marketing themselves.

Nicole Alexander became an American reality TV show contestant and is known for winning the VH1 reality television shows of Flavor of Love in its first season and I Love Money.[24] Another reality show winner was Chandra Davis who won the second season of VH1's Flavor of Love competition.

Leila Arcieri was voted Miss San Francisco in the 1997 Miss California pageant and went on to act in television series, such as Son of the Beach, a parody of Baywatch. Melyssa Ford is a radio personality for popular entertainment podcast, Hollywood Unlocked.[25]

Vida Guerra has modelled for many magazines, including DUB, Smooth, Escape, and Open Your Eyes, often as the cover girl. She has also made multiple appearances on several Spanish language television programs, such as entertainment gossip show El Gordo y la Flaca, and commercials for Burger King's TenderCrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch. She's lent her voice to the video game Scarface: The World Is Yours.

Lauren London has a successful career in movies and television. Angel Melaku, Nicole Narain went on to acting careers, while LisaRaye McCoy became a famous actress.

Buffie Carruth appeared in the movie ATL, made a fitness-instruction DVD,[26] and has a written a book about her life.[27]

Karrine Steffans appeared in the movie A Man Apart and wrote the explosive 2005 New York Times Bestseller Confessions of a Video Vixen.[28]

Amber Rose appeared in the music video "Put On" in 2008 and since then has become a successful model and actress.

• List of models in music videos
• Misogyny in hip hop culture
• Latina stereotypes in hip hop
• Mami (hip hop)
• Sexuality in music videos
• Stereotypes of African Americans#Jezebel

• Thompson, Bonsu and Huang, Howard (August 4, 2004). "Eye Candy Hall of Fame". XXL Magazine. New York: Harris Publications. Retrieved on February 11, 2006.

Amazing Aura. n.d. Black Women in Sex Work (How and Why Colorism and Racism Exists in Strip Clubs and Sex Work). Accessed March 5, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRq-0yLAx28.