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Noname's "Self"

Chicago rapper Noname released her second album on September 14th 2018. The opening track "Self" is a coherent yet thoroughly sporadic flow of consciousness, similar to Earl's opening track "Shattered Dreams." Hip Hop is notoriously a very male-dominated landscape. In addition, women are very frequently objectified, exotified, and portrayed as possessions of men. The word "bitch" is commonly used to refer to literally any woman, however there is a notable cultural component to its usage as slang--regardless, it signifies the roles women often play in Hip Hop music. Standing in stark opposition to this, we see Noname intentionally defying American societal gender roles as well as gender roles within the Hip Hop subculture. She uses the term "bitch" to describe herself in first saying, "y'all really thought a bitch couldn't rap, huh?/ maybe this your answer for that," then later saying, "y'all still thought a bitch couldn't rap, huh?/ maybe this your answer for that." In this case she is subverting gender norms by owning the word "bitch" and using it not only to describe how she is perceived as a rapper but also to empower herself as a successful woman excelling at her passion. During her second verse, she discusses romantic relationship dynamics between men and women:

"Mr. Money Man, Mr. Every Day He Got Me
Mr. Wifing Me Down, Mr. Me-Love, Mr. Miyagi
Miscellaneous, Mr. Molly Inside My Sake
Incredible, incredible emptiness in my body"

 She contrasts her perspectives on men, reflecting their perceptions of her within her romanticized perceptions of them. Yet, she still notes how this dynamic is shallow and artificial. It does not make her feel whole. Furthermore, she contrasts the patriarchal, seemingly harmless depictions with a final "Mr. Molly-inside-my-sake," implying getting drugged and potential date rape. This especially highlights the patriarchal norms of her culture. Noname again cleverly prods at the gender dynamic within her culture in saying, "fucked your rapper homie, now his ass is making better music." This contrasts with the popular Hip Hop rhetoric of male rappers bragging about sleeping with other men's partners, continuing to portray them as objects. Noname subverts the stereotype and claims that she is sleeping with your rapper friend and now he is actualizing himself. Noname playfully elaborates:

 "My pussy teachin ninth-grade English
My pussy wrote a thesis on colonialismIn conversation with a marginal system in love with Jesus"

This additionally challenges the objectification of women by still talking about her sexuality like an object, but instead suggesting it is an educator, offering intellectualism and humanity to what is normally portrayed as merely a body. These examples highlight the gender dynamics we discussed in class and bring light to how silly of a construct they are.

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