There are those that claim they can listen to music with suggestive lyrics and behaviors and it doesn’t bother them or their spirit as a Christian. I was one of these people. But now, I can admit that it is a struggle. I have a love for music related to several genres not just Christian. However, knowing myself better than anyone else I know specific types of music will be of temptation and if I listen to it either a little or in abundance, I’ll begin to first think increasingly about the subjects I’m listening to and then want to act on what I’ve seen and heard. And instead of regurgitating the scriptures once within me to combat these feelings, the lyrics will overtake my flesh way more than the scriptures should be overwhelming my spirit to win the battle. Sounds like a movie, doesn’t it? But if you’re on a spiritual journey or just trying to turn your life around, I know you can relate. If any of you are familiar with the cheesy low budget films from back in the day, I picture this “takeover” similar to watching a horrible 80’s movie where the alien grabs and takes over the “human”. It goes something like this:
First they attack your brain. They lure you close to them using something they know you’d like such as food or a pretty girl or a guy. They become what they know you want. They’ve studied you. After you’re in a vulnerable state, they proceed with their plan. (Cue in the cheesy special affects). The alien begins sucking your brain out with a straw or entering your body in some way that will allow them to consume all of your thoughts. You are now able to be controlled, a complete zombie. (enter the psychedelic eyes). Next is the flesh where they direct and control what they want you to do and where they want you to go. The only way to be released from this hold is if you have a friend or loved one that had sense not to fall for the okie-doke too or if the controlling piece is not full-proof and the only way to keep you masked is to ensure the initial process is performed repeatedly. This can be difficult to keep up with over time. You’re no longer independent or set apart by your own unique design from everyone else. You’re breathing but nowhere near living.
I attempted to plan out what I wanted to write about this topic. I knew since I had stopped listening to certain music since trying to renew and engage in a deeper relationship with God, it was going to be a little difficult listening or reading lyrics to certain songs without opening my own “Pandora’s box” of temptation.
I heard this song yesterday for the first time. It has been receiving a lot of accolades and airplay. The song will definitely not get glorified here. I was simply going to use it as an example but now that I’ve actually heard it, I feel as if I need to PRAY. And to to be clear, the prayer would be not just for me, but those who participated in making this song as well as those listening to it or will listen to it.
Be rough with me, spit on me, catch a case, you gotta drink and do drugs for me to want you, I’m a whore, I’m a proud whore, I’ll come to you if you got some money and good sex……….
I’ve paraphrased but you get the point. Since when did lowering standards began to equate with female empowerment? A woman “spittin” these lyrics is no better than having a man do so. In fact, it’s even worse.
Like many of these so called artist and their fans, I grew up in a very low income community. I lived in a single parent home with my mother. I lacked having a strong male representation around me. Therefore, I sought attention and comfort from what I didn’t have. My self-esteem was based on the opinion of others and what I thought men wanted. My perception of what I thought I needed to be came from television and music. I would borrow a friends tape, go to my room and sneak and listen to the likes of Lil Kim’s “Hardcore” album and the reggae hit by Sasha “Kill The B$&ch”. The lyrics were very similar to the ones today. They taught me to develop my sexual curiosity and act on it. They acted as if they were in control of their bodies, did what they wanted and still had men crawling at their feet. Their bodies were toned and they wore all the hottest clothes. My only proof regarding the life I wanted was the songs I listened to and the visuals from their videos. For me at the time, that was enough!
I recall being in my early 20’s and my friends and I at the time would call one another “Ho”. We’d use the term within the context of greeting the other as if it was a sign of endearment. I think this was around the same time the song “I Like Dem Hoes” by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz became very popular. The hook goes, It’s some hoes in this house, It’s some hoes in this house, If you see ’em point ’em out. If you see ’em point ’em out. We’d parade around and call ourselves hoes in front of people including guys all the time, thinking it was cute. “Hey hoe, What’s up hoe” ha ha. Yea, it got attention. We basically were telling those around us, we were hoe’s! Hoe’s give it up easy, have no respect for themselves and you can treat them any way you want, they don’t mind. So when I hear a song and the beginning blatantly says “There’s some Whores in this house”. One, it bought back memories of my juvenile ways in the past and two, it’s sad to see other women portray themselves as sex tools fooling one another into thinking they’re in control and that it’s no big deal.
Reclaiming a derogatory word, attempting to make it into something to be proud of does not make things any better. I mean back in the day, we said “hoe”, thinking that it’s not as bad as saying Whore. It was a slang term. We thought we were just fooling around. Now woman have boldly saying the original word because it’s deemed as no big deal. It sounds so much more nasty and harsher. And also makes me realize more of how foolish and silly we all looked no matter how we use the word!
They don’t talk about death in these songs, or STD’s or domestic violence, drug & alcohol abuse or rape, just the sexual acts. We have newly caught and convicted celebrities in jail from charges of sexual abuse committed years ago but songs glorifying these same activities currently are being nominated for awards and everyone thinks it’s art. Not to mention human trafficking which many times take place in actual brothels or houses portrayed in the WOP video. They may not be as colorful and out in the open because they don’t want to get caught, but believe they are all around us. Yet people complain about issues such as poverty, lack of education and teen pregnancy. How many so called “artist” have we seen that are single mothers, illiterate, adding bigger breast or butts to their bodies, overdosing or being cheated on or beaten! Being “wet” does not keep a man! They can get it from anywhere, even themselves (lets keep it real). But sex sells. And by doing so, the soul goes along with it.
But God says do not to cast your pearls to swine. Paul said that we were bought at a price. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. There are a slew of Bible verses referencing sex and sexual immorality, but obviously they don’t seem to be nearly as exciting to chanting lyrics about sex. Can we really believe that the God of creation envisioned half naked self professed “whores” giving their bodies up for free because that is what they were called to do? NO, of course not!
Sasha wrote “Kill The B$&ch” when she was around 16 years old. She emulated other female rap artist before writing her songs. I’m sure she did many things she wasn’t proud of. Now, Sasha’s singing Gospel and is a Christian. So am I. After awhile of chasing men, giving your body, time and spirit away gets empty. Let’s face it, you become older. Your body parts become older and you realize that space is no place to be. You see those same women constantly trying to augment and change their appearance because that’s all they have to hold on to in order to show their worth or get attention. And the type of men you thought you wanted, you finally learn don’t respect you and that you’re replaceable with the next wet girl. You begin to understand it’s all fake, a gimmick that you’ve become apart of just for those controlling the people in the music industry to be able to make more money. All at your expense. You are not independent, a free thinker, a trendsetter.
You look like everyone else. You smell like everyone else. Bobbing your head, listening to a beat. Chanting words someone else is saying that were written by another person. This person wrote the song with a team of other people that believe they can write about the songs you like because they’ve seen people that look and smell like you on television from their penthouses way across another side of town you’d never be allowed to step foot in.
A new breed of zombies emerge because many will copy these girls to include daughters, goddaughter, nieces, sisters and friends. And they wont have the money accumulated from record sales to cover up their drug charges, or cure their diseases or to pay someone off not to share it on social media to millions of people. Some of your loved ones may actually die, whether it be physically or spiritually from living or embracing this culture.
There are many women out here such as myself that despite odds are embarking on journey’s to better themselves, learning new hobbies, languages, going back to school, starting new careers and businesses. And each time these thots make songs celebrating their clitoris and the many penises their vaginas and mouths can handle at a time it takes us all back centuries.
Can you imagine, you’ve made billions of dollars, lived a lavish lifestyle promoting self deprecating behaviors of people you claim to care about that leaves a legacy for your children, family, everyone that boast you we’re a self proclaimed whore? No, that’s not pride. It’s not hustlin’. It’s not being a high valued woman. It’s not just music. It’s embarrassing and shameful.
I’ve heard some Christians use the phrase “test the spirits to know if what you want to do is good and/or evil”. This is taken out of context in my opinion. I don’t need to stick my face in boiling water to see if it’s hot, if I can clearly see with my two eyes the steam permeating the air from the pot. Like my mom used to say, common sense aint so common. Sometimes we don’t get it the first time around or the second, tenth or millionth. We have to communicate with our loved ones especially our children, daughters and sons to teach them that this lifestyle is void of glamour and fun. One day just as I and billions of other women embark on this journey of repentance and walking with God, I believe some of these artist will do so as well. It’s never too late. But in the meanwhile, we can’t add to this or change things by staying silent.
Stay woke, vigilant and mindful of what you allow to consume your body and spirit. Those lyrics do not represent the many women on paths of an opposite direction. So instead of proclaiming “there’s some whores in this house”, can we boast about Bible readers being in the house, graduates being in the house, voters, entrepreneurs, scientist, teachers, readers, writers, homemakers, heck, people just thankful they made it through today in this house!!!
Lord, thank you. The struggle is real but thank you for hope, change and Grace that You provide daily, not because I deserve it but because You love me and have a plan for my life. In Jesus Christ I pray & praise, Amen.❤️🌻
With Love,
-Missy Anne
