Sexism and violence against women are to hip-hop what racism and colorism are to America, innate and acceptable cancers. From naked video whores to woman hating lyrics, bashing females, both figuratively and literally, has become part and parcel of the increasingly evident "artistic" ingredients of this ever popular musical genre. I have often heard fans make statements like: "Hip-hop is not just a musical style, it is a lifestyle. Hip-hop is not just something you listen to, it is something you live..."  Well, that lifestyle is making life hellish for females everywhere...

A recent case of deja-vu is a perfect example. Remember when Dr. Dre beat down a tiny Dee Barnes because he was angry at NWA? (See the Eminem column listed below to refresh your memory.) Just weeks ago, same dirt, different duo. Deejay and hip-hop icon Funkmaster Flex (Aston Taylor) of WHQT recently decided to reenact that same cowardly brutality upon deejay and MTV2 veejay Big Steph Lova (Stephanie Saunders) of WWPR. Flex was upset at rap star Nas (Nasir Jones) about statements that Nas made on Steph's show.

According to published reports, the burly 6-foot Flex allegedly crept up on Steph outside of her radio station just after midnight in September. He verbally abused her in front of a small group of friends before punching, choking, and scratching her. At some point during this attack, Steph ran to her car and fled. Flex then threw a wad of cash at her car as she drove away, allegedly to pay for his antics...Again, a woman is publicly brutalized as a surrogate punching bag so that a coward can avoid bucking up to a fellow man.

Real men do not use women as punching bags to avenge their issues with other men. Real men do not "beef", they behave. Stardom is not defined by mayhem and machismo. How do we collectively dub some sanity into the insane mix of fame and feuds?

It is a sexist and cowardly move for any man to save face indirectly by aiming his anger at a safe female target. Such weak and bullyish actions sicken me more than words can express. I hope that the male power brokers at WQHT simultaneously grow consciences and spines, so that they may belatedly do the right thing and dismiss this fool Flex soon. I hope that Flex may soon grow testicles and fists adequate to brawl with men his own size who anger him, as quickly and forcefully as he beat this woman.

It is truly repulsive when any adult must resort to physical violence to avenge any verbal offense or defend any nonviolent act. It is pathetic when any man physically attacks any woman. It is shameful when such weak and brutal antics are condoned by collective silences. It is most shameful when such violent actions evoke jest...

On October 9, 2002, the Internet magazine Electronic Urban Report (ww.eurweb.com) dared to publish a public taunt at the victim, Big Steph Lova! An official web site "news" article about this incident read: "Everybody say it together now, 'Oh, poor wittle steffy weffy'..." Why this jovial insult??? Why no jokes abut the burly, brutal, perpetrator Flex??? Could EUR's author have made a similar cowardly bitch move??? Was it, yet again, just easier to crack offensive jokes about a victimized woman rather than a violent man???

There is nothing jovial about this entire incident! I will never find any humor in a woman being beaten by a man. The joke is on all of us as long as we dare to laugh at such sexist violence. Macho madness reigns globally, while we joke rather than challenge.

As I pen this column on October 13, 2002, Flex is still employed at WQHT, without apology or reprimand. Perhaps his superiors find humor in his antics also. Steph is suing Flex. I hope Flex pays like he weighs!...

Independent FM radio was my first love. I am also a deejay. "Les Chanteuses Africaines" is my favorite and best work to date...

...And, this next song goes out to Funkmaster Flex, and all of his fellow misogynist monsters who enjoy beating down females. Check this wisdom from this deejay: Beware of the law of averages. Some of us sisters will give you EXACTLY what you NEED when you dare to run up on us!!! Nahmean boyz?

There is a message in my music. Listen up:

I don't want no man who always hittin' on me
The last man that hit me has been dead since '43

We go out Saturday night
And have ourselves a ball
Come back home and fight
Now, that don't make no sense at all

I don't want no man who always hittin' on me
The last man that hit me has been dead since '43

I sneaked around the corner
To have myself a nip
And when I got back home
He up and busted both my lips

I don't want no man who always hittin' on me
The last man that hit me has been dead since '43

Said he hits me 'cause he loves me
Now, isn't that a shame?
How could he say he loves me
and bruise this fine, brown frame?

I don't want no man who always hittin' on me
The last man that hit me has been dead since '43
If you want me Daddy
You got to treat me tenderly!

For more information, see additional columns herein, including:

SLIM CONSCIENCES AT A SHADY GRAMMY SHOW: ON EMINEM AND ELTON JOHN

AMADOU DIALLO SONGS: PIMPING PAST THE REVOLUTION

SAARTJIE'S BELATED HOMECOMING

MASS RAPES IN NYC
 
BUMPING AND GRINDING ON BABIES...ON R. KELLY

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