From Object to Icon: The Paradox of Objectification & Empowerment in Female Hip Hop

This critical reflection will focus on popular Black Female artists such as Onika Maraj-Petty, known as ‘Nicki Minaj’, Megan Pete, known as ‘Megan Thee Stallion’, and Isis Gaston, also known as ‘Ice Spice’. The essay will achieve this through examining neoliberal culture and the impact of sexual commodification in a postfeminist era. Firstly, this project briefly touches on the new globalised nature of sexual capital before outlining the hyper sexualisation of female rappers and how this exists in a neoliberal, feminist format. Lastly, drawing on scholars’ opinions on sexual liberation and the underlying powers of the patriarchy, the commonalities of the female artists mentioned above will be discussed.