When does music become sexist?

The Prodigy "Smack Your Bitch Up" controversy occured in part because the song was open to almost any interpretation because it's hard to be explicit about your intentions when there's only two lines in the song (and they're sampled). So the Prodigy could respond to criticism by saying "we're just getting a b-boy vibe, there's only two lines there, and they don't summarize our feelings" (which is exactly the explanation they used). Personally, I felt this song WAS (and is) blatantly sexist, but I can't think of another non-dancehall, non-hip-hop example right now.
But there must be many -- white people are sexist too.

Ha! x-post!

The example of sexism/misogyny I've been thinking about right now is that in TV on the Radio's new one. I don't have the disc or the lyrics handy, but there's a consistent sense of "woman as object" throughout that album (so much so, that I'd be very happy to find a "bloodthirsty babe" acting on her desires). I think TVotR's lyrics are generally mature and intelligent, but unaware of their positioning of women.

are you saying that sexism and misogyny are one and the same?

Does this mean that the long tradition of disempowered men giving chicks the beat-down is a fallacy?

Actually, I'd agree with your statement, so let's replace "sexism" with "misogyny" and "racism" with "prejudice" just so we're clear. We wouldn't want semantic confusion to aid the oppression.

"It's sexist cuz I, like, say so." = Dud

Where'd this thought come from?

Nonetheless, that is the standard line. As for poor white men -- well they are men and white and thus in power so they are disqualified.

As for "Does sexism [re: misogyny] within music really have to be in your face and explicit to be criticized?": I'd answer with a strong "no." Probably the more subtle it is, the more it needs to be criticized. Why waste time going after Warrant, for example?

Is anyone else hearing Chrissie Hynde right now: "This is rock'n'roll. It's about 'fuck you' not 'fuck me"?

Got some advice for you friend
Ba-ba-bruise 'em, you'll never lose 'em
Ba-ba-bruise 'em, you'll never lose 'em
Alright now

Seems my sensitive touch
Can be given by, any old shmuck
Alright now

(repeat chorus)

That is pure white liberal theoretical liberal arts college crap.

Look, I'm Swedish and I am sorry if I missed out on some kind of subtility of the English language. However, I disagree with you. I cannot see "power" as being a singular entity; it differs with class, race, gender and sexuality among other things. The notion that someone oppressed couldn't be an oppressor seems ridiculous to me.

xpost

"I know some of y'all want to be in a family with white folks: "It's not right to leave white people out. We're all one family." That is a lie. We are not one family! ... I'm here to tell you that God has a people, that God has chosen a people. And it's not some hooked-nose, bagel-eatin', lox-eatin', perpetrating-a-fraud, just-crawled-out-of-the-caves-and-hills-of-Europe, so-called, wannabe, imposter Jew! You are the true Jew! You are the true Israelite!

Sisters, I want to say this. We don't believe in sexism. The national chief of staff over all of the chairmen, over all of the chairwomen, over all of the ministers of defense, over all of the brothers and sisters ... is a sister. ... We don't have any egos here. When sisters are in charge, sisters are in charge."

sexist = no

racist = uhh