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Music is an art form—a language of the soul that inspires, heals, and gives life meaning. It allows us to dream, to find hope in melodies, and to express emotions that words alone cannot capture. But when art is used as a tool to degrade, objectify, and permanently scar others, does it still deserve to be called art?
Music, in its truest form, is meant to uplift, to tell stories that resonate. Yet, far too often, it has been weaponized to spread misogyny, embedding harmful narratives into mainstream culture under the guise of entertainment.
How Music Shapes Mindsets
Media plays a powerful role in shaping the way we perceive the world—and music, perhaps more than any other medium, has the ability to influence our thoughts and behaviors. A song is more than just lyrics set to a beat; it is a message, a repeated mantra that, when normalized, seeps into our collective consciousness.
While music can be a source of empowerment, it has also been used to demean and objectify women, reinforcing outdated gender roles and toxic ideals. Countless songs across genres—particularly in rap, hip-hop, and commercial pop—have made a spectacle of reducing women to mere objects of pleasure.
Trigger Warning: Misogynistic Language
Consider these lyrics:
- "Bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks."
- "Shush girl, shut your lips, do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips."
- "Aa re pritam pyaare, baithe baithe kya karega, ghaghra phaad ke."
Lyrics like these don’t just exist in isolation. They reinforce a culture where women are seen as disposable, where their voices are silenced, and their value is measured only by their bodies.
The Normalization of Misogyny in Music
One of the biggest reasons such songs continue to thrive is normalization. We don’t always realize the power of repetition—how casual remarks about women in music become ingrained in society’s mindset. The more we hear something, the less we question it.
In music videos, women are frequently portrayed as mere accessories—dressed provocatively, engaging in hypersexualized performances while male artists take center stage. These visuals, paired with misogynistic lyrics, set dangerous precedents:
- Dismissing consent – Many songs romanticize aggressive, non-consensual advances, blurring the lines between desire and coercion.
- Promoting rape culture – Lyrics that use derogatory terms for women or suggest that "no" means "convince me" contribute to a world where sexual violence is downplayed.
- Objectifying women – Women are often portrayed as trophies or rewards, reinforcing the idea that their worth is tied to their physical appearance.
Why Aren’t We Speaking Up?
The answer is simple: conformity and complacency.
Nobody wants to stand out. We live in a society where acceptance is sought through agreement, even if it means ignoring problematic content. We dismiss misogyny in music as "just lyrics" or "just entertainment," not realizing that these words shape the way people think, speak, and act.
But ignorance is not harmless. Every time we ignore or tolerate such lyrics, we contribute to the cycle. Until we become aware of the poison in our playlists, we won’t be able to separate right from wrong.
Demanding a Change
Art should be a force for good, not a tool for oppression. Music has the potential to inspire revolutions, challenge social norms, and bring about meaningful change. But for that to happen, we need to be conscious consumers.
- Question what you listen to – Pay attention to the lyrics and their impact.
- Hold artists accountable – Challenge musicians to do better, to create art that uplifts rather than degrades.
- Support empowering music – Seek out artists who respect and celebrate women rather than objectify them.
Music has the power to heal—but only if we stop allowing it to harm. The choice is ours. Will we continue to let misogyny hide behind a catchy beat, or will we demand a soundtrack that truly respects all voices?