The CHH (Christian Hip-Hop) community has done a lot of good. CHH artists have delivered inspirational music that impacts listeners around the world. They’ve been positive forces in their communities. Of course, the Gospel is communicated through the art of rap. With that being said, as members of this community, it would be fake to highlight the good without addressing where we fall short.
Sexism is a topic that the CHH community has embarrassingly failed at. Women within CHH have been denied opportunities to tour, make music, sign with labels, and more, due to their gender and the stereotypes tagged to them (men might be tempted because of CHH women/looks wrong/inconvenience/false notion that females emcees can’t rap well and there is only certain jobs they should do). This is wrong and sexist. Women shouldn’t be treated as sex objects, seen as automatic temptations, and made to feel inferior. Especially in a community that consists of believers. They are sisters in Christ. Qualified to communicate the truths of Jesus Christ. The women in Christian Hip-Hop are just as dope as the men in it. Butta P, Natalie Lauren, Jackie Hill Perry, Angie Rose, Heesun Lee, Sicily, Erica Mason, and Wande, among many others, can spit better than most of the artists we see being hyped up. They don’t deserve to have unnecessary setbacks. If an artist is dope, they should be celebrated regardless of their gender. The stereotypes and excuses are false and lame. Many men need to repent of their thought patterns on this subject.
We need to work towards solutions, which is why this conversation is happening.
Cataphant, singer/songwriter and founder of @YOUNGXLADY, got the conversation started by exposing this situation via Twitter. The hashtag #CHHSexism (which trended worldwide) is how you can track the convo on social media. Read some of the #CHHSexism tweets below.
Ive never made this statement public, but I stepped back from @YOUNGXLADY temporarily because CHH as it is will never be supportive to women
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
Too many labels and websites giving men careers when they are openly misogynistic. CHH is on its way to imploding and I️ can’t wait.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
And too many women feeding into the stereotypes of what these men expect from them. It only produces poorly written music with no artistry
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
If u wanna be a woman and be successful within CHH you will only make It so far as glorified, unpaid hook writer. Look outside of the genre.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
If male chh artists actually gave a fuck about women they would denounce their misogynist label mates. But they don’t.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
If you gave a fuck about women in CHH you would tour with them. But who does? Too busy seeing women as vessels of your predatory sexuality
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
If you ever regused to tour with a woman because u were scared of being sexually tempted then youve got a little bit of rapist inside of you
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
In the spirit of things, If you’ve ever witnessed/experienced #CHHsexism, misogyny, harassment let me know with the above hashtag.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
I def think we need to be waaaay more supportive of the female artist we have. I agree with you about all of this.
— Doc Watson (@Dwatsonrmg) November 18, 2017
There is an agenda in conservative Christianity to keep women at home, to place blame on them for men’s sexual sin. It permeates CHH.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/cataphant/status/932005892798554112
@cataphant you’re the best! ✊🏾
— butta p 👑 (@ButtaP) November 18, 2017
me and @ButtaP got tour stories for days
— juan vidal (@itsjuanlove) November 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/prophiphop/status/932048271953969152
https://twitter.com/prophiphop/status/932346885670690821
https://twitter.com/prophiphop/status/932347142668091392
https://twitter.com/prophiphop/status/932347714322313216
True, but men speakin out in front of other men is what really gets the ball rolling. They wont question if It actually happened if u say It
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/imadeintruth/status/932093014469685248
Hearing women’s stories is a start. There’s several hashtags you can look at. Ask women in yr life, google topics.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 19, 2017
“Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is abomination to the Lord.” -proverbs 4:31
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 19, 2017
Thank you! I haven’t given up on supporting women or Christian hip hop music, I just think the format needs to dismantle- It needs a do-over
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 19, 2017
@cataphant covering CHH for years (over a decade), i have personally seen #CHHsexism in full effect. If it's in "secular" music, you know its going to be even WORSE in a genre that is smaller & deals with male dominant venues
— Chicanschoice (@Chicanschoice1) November 20, 2017
Also, along with #CHHsexism dont let her not look young & attractive, cause we aint gonna listen to her #CHHageism
— Chicanschoice (@Chicanschoice1) November 20, 2017
I know female artists that had to open up in their OWN CHURCH for a male artist who didn't even have as much "buzz" or exposure as them #CHHsexism
— Chicanschoice (@Chicanschoice1) November 20, 2017
I want to go on record by saying that I completely love and support/felt supported by @sphereofhiphop and @ForthDistrict and @ArtSoulRadio
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism pic.twitter.com/eZnOUuDKpC
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism pic.twitter.com/HbtIhu7NDC
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism comments on a @YOUNGXLADY video I did for rapzilla. pic.twitter.com/89OwRx075p
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism pic.twitter.com/yvTZ4y34PG
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism pic.twitter.com/12odnIJBhW
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#chhsexism on a Facebook post about @YOUNGXLADY pic.twitter.com/jVQw1VPoBI
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
I really hope more women speak out in this #CHHSexism hashtag. We can't fully address the problem if we don't see how deep it is.
— DJ Wade-O (@djwadeo) November 20, 2017
Here’s my own stories: my first EP took several years because I wasn’t allowed to be alone with men in the studio. #chhsexism
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
I was told I needed to have a male spiritual covering if I was to make music. #chhsexism
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism https://t.co/NdDw5504Ky
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/illsamar/status/932639426567577601
The bible says that his disciples were surprised to see Jesus "talking" to a woman… Jesus had a mission to spread love and the gospel just be normal… exercise discernment. Every girl is not a temptress #chhsexism
— Kintsugi (@L3XDIVINE) November 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/jamaicawest312/status/932760037927391233
https://twitter.com/Clean_Ears/status/932776157023481856
Wow, y’all. #chhsexism is trending on twitter and the dialogue has been incredible, if not frustrating at points with the internet trolls.
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 21, 2017
I can’t believe that after almost a decade of advocating for women in chh It was a late night Twitter rant that sparked so much change. 😂
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 21, 2017
Me, @ButtaP , @jamaicawest312 @L3XDIVINE and several other people need to go on a selfcare vacation after the last couple of days of Twitter
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 21, 2017
Female rapper roll call!! Since everyone is asking about who to listen to now that we are battling #chhsexism, post links to your stuff:
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 21, 2017
Is #CHHSEXISM forcing females to HAVE to start their own label and tours just to be awarded the same opportunities vs our brothers coming alongside us?? Sounds a lot like how BET was started #inequality 🤔
— Jazmine Nikao (@jazminenikao) November 21, 2017
For all of you peeping the #CHHSexism discussion. I highly recommend that you peep this episode of @truthstable where some beastly sisters educate us on how sexism has plagued the church while also providing a way forward. https://t.co/l0xmFeUfge
— Ameen (@Ameen_HGA) November 21, 2017
Let’s also not forget that majority of the best CHH song OUT were written by CHH FEMALES who get no credit or barely even recognized.
— ANESHA COLLINS (@aneshacollins) November 21, 2017
Having all women spotlights, tours, playlists, articles, & albums are cool, but integration is what truly needs to happen.
Hypothetical example: Kinda like celebrating black history month each year in a segregated society #CHHSexism
— Anike 💙🩵 (@itsAnike_) November 21, 2017
BTW, @BreeKaySounds and @Kasairi produce their own music. Why aren’t they signed?? #chhsexism
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 21, 2017
Some of our deep reformed theology is at the root of the #CHHSEXISM problem. Women can teach the kids and lead worship, but anything pertaining to the boys club (preaching/hip hop) is off limits. Sad!
— Ricky Grant (@rickygrantjr) November 21, 2017
I am extremely proud of my wife @cataphant she called out the BS and our lame rebuttles only nailed her point home #chhsexism
— jaaahhn (@wordsplayed) November 21, 2017
dudes…just take a second and forget about the lame little ecosystem we're trying to protect. lame because it's not safe for women…they're literally saying it to our faces. take time to love dawg #chhsexism
— jaaahhn (@wordsplayed) November 21, 2017
from this point forward I will be referred to as " the husband of @cataphant " #chhsexism
let's go do some good friends
— jaaahhn (@wordsplayed) November 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/chinezexo/status/933098801413292032
If i get started on this #chhsexism topic, somebodys gonna need to pray for me, lol.
— Heesun Lee (@HeesunLee) November 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/imadeintruth/status/933154373806440449
https://twitter.com/imadeintruth/status/933152066159099904
https://twitter.com/imadeintruth/status/933146037539278853
In a dudes’ defense, a lot of he stuff we have gripes with they’ve been conditioned to act like. We are bringing light to this. #chhsexism
— CATAPHANT (@cataphant) November 22, 2017
#CHHsexism – I’ll leave this right here. Let me know when yall wanna have a real conversation about it.
Butta P – See Me music video (@buttap @rapzilla) https://t.co/EsVSAiq00I
— butta p 👑 (@ButtaP) November 20, 2017
I just think it’s unfair that the female artists gets the short end of the stick because men feel like we’re a threat/stumbling block/etc. That’s unfortunate… and that’swhy @cataphant spoke up. She’s been speaking up. #CHHsexism
— butta p 👑 (@ButtaP) November 20, 2017
anyway, back to my cave. Unless a healthy dialogue is truly had about these concerns amongst each other, nothing changes. I fortunately have an amazing group of men around me who have held me down for many years. So shoutout to them.✊🏾
— butta p 👑 (@ButtaP) November 21, 2017
My goal is to change that. Shed a different light into why it’s possible to do business with women. To be honest, if you look behind most of these labels, it’s women running point.
— butta p 👑 (@ButtaP) November 21, 2017
It’s easier to give up when you’re tired, worn out, feeling like you’re not being heard or misunderstood. It’s in those moments you must dig deep and find your grit to keep fighting, even when it feels like you’ve forgotten what you’re fighting for… pic.twitter.com/SB2HJAhdLT
— butta p 👑 (@ButtaP) November 21, 2017
As a proud supporter of the music industry both CHH & HipHop, I've Been reading these threads and thought I'd share my thoughts on #CHHSexism. pic.twitter.com/T9S5ELH6BM
— Natalie Lauren (@msnatalielauren) November 21, 2017
Then u don't disagree w/me. Women at large been fighting for rights outside this genre for hundreds of yrs. This is bigger than CHH and will take more than 10yrs to chip away at it. A lot of the time it's sexism, sometimes it's ability and business decisions.
— Natalie Lauren (@msnatalielauren) November 22, 2017
Credit where credit is due= @imadeintruth has been trying to bring these problems to light forever, but ppl didnt listen. #CHHsexism
— Cataphant (@cataphant) November 21, 2017
Sexism exists period. In Every industry. But since we are discussing #CHHsexism it’s true I’ve been told that if I wanted to get signed the label would focus on my looks, tell me to stop rapping and not talk about anything with depth. (This was from a Christian Label)🤷🏾♀️ https://t.co/z2cbIWPBgo
— Erica Mason (@EricaMasonMusic) November 20, 2017
Although #CHHsexism does exist, it doesn’t limit me, or move me. I use it to my advantage. I love being a woman in CHH! Thank you for all the supporters! https://t.co/58qTjXQhws
— Erica Mason (@EricaMasonMusic) November 20, 2017
#CHHsexism When the buzz of this hashtag begins to die down, and people begin to get busy with other things. (Bc this issue is much bigger than CHH), Ladies, remember who you are, that with God you can't be stopped. Build your band, Perfect your craft and let God vindicate you.
— Erica Mason (@EricaMasonMusic) November 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/SicilyRWZ/status/932780422324301824
https://twitter.com/SicilyRWZ/status/932720738263552001
https://twitter.com/SicilyRWZ/status/932672572273152000
Let’s begin to highlight female CHH artists more. Let’s find ways for them to get the opportunities and shine they deserve. What do you think CHH, as a community, can do to take steps towards fixing this issue? Keep this situation in prayer.
