I have an article on WireTap today; WireTap is an online magazine for teens and twentysomethings about progressive politics. I’ve written a commentary on sexist undertones (really, more than undertones. More like overtures) in rap and hip-hop. I guess the perennial question that this conversation brings up is (similar to my love of Paris Hilton music), can you listen to rap and hip-hop that is sexist, and filter out the sexist elements and enjoy the music?

I personally would argue “no,” just because I find the Ying-Yang twins, Ludacris, and Akon (don’t even get me started. If I had a nickel for every boy under the age of twelve that I saw singing “Smack That” in the streets or in the subway in the city during the fall, I’d be able to purchase liberally from the Dollar Menu) to be wildly offense. But then again, I don’t like them as much as I like Paris Hilton.