Hey Bad B*tches
And we are back to regular programing. Once again, welcome to 2013 and Happy New Year to those stopping by for the first time this year. So, its going to be a massive year for TNC (I know we say that every year) but we turn 3 this year and we have plans to push things even further, we’ll have new members joining the team, some new sections and a lot more offline engagement. We’ve designed a model that’ll help us evolve into The Online magazine for our generation by our generation with content catering to different segments. So stay tuned and get ready for an awesome 2013. Now on to today’s post:
******
Over the weekend, I met up with my good friend @GbemiOO and while we were talking, the video for A$AP Rocky’s F*cking Problem came on and I watched in amazement as she paused our conversation to join in with the hook. Now if you’ve never heard the tune or seen the video, here’s what the hook says:
I love bad bitches, that’s my fucking problem
And yeah I like to fuck, I got a fucking problem
I love bad bitches, that’s my fucking problem
And yeah I like to fuck I got a fucking problem
I love bad bitches, that’s my fucking problem
And yeah I like to fuck, I got a fucking problem
If finding somebody real is your fucking problem
Bring your girls to the crib maybe we can solve it
The video went on for another couple of minutes and I watched as my friend swayed from left to right reciting every lyric with no reservation whatsoever. As if that wasn’t enough, the video ended and the next video that came on was Two Chainz’ Birthday and just as before, she broke into a mini karaoke session.
Now, I’m sure if you were a regular everyday guy, you wouldn’t see anything wrong with this but the blogger in me took over and what followed was a very interesting conversation/argument about how the women of our generation may be slightly confused about what exactly it is they want No news there right?
Back in September last year, Kanye West put up a tweet and I made sure to save it because I knew it would be useful someday. That day is today. Here’s Kanye’s tweet:
His tweet got all kinds of feedback, from the reasonable to the downright ludicrous. Just like Gbemi argued, a lot of women believe context is a major factor when responding to Kanye’s question.
White chic to tight African American friend – “She’s my bitch like that” – Yes
Black chic to her tight friend – “oh Bitch please” – Yes
Random guy to black chic – “Stop being a bitch” – No
2Chainz – “I love bad b*tches that’s my f*cking problem” – Yes
Yes? Well, I had the same reaction and here’s the response I got:
“A bad b*tch is very different from a b*tch. Contrary to what most people think, referring to someone as a ‘bad b*tch’ is actually a compliment.”
At this point, I was just like O.O… So I consulted the ever-reliable Urban Dictionary and here’s what I found:
1.
A self respected, strong female who has everything together. That consists of body, mind, finances, and swagger. Also, a female who does & gets hers by any means necessary.
Syn. – Go Getter *
“Check out Naomi Campbell, looking very fly, you can tell her money right. She’s a true bad b*tch.”
2.
Female who knows what she wants and knows exactly how to get it. Female who is always ready for anything physically, emotionally, and also intellectually (one being book smart as well as street smart) One who is classy and all about business. One who knows how to take care of her man at home and in the streets and remains loyal to him, herself, and the game at which she plays.
Denice is The BAD B*TCH!
Hmmm… See what’s going on here? So, we seem to have gone one step further from “Down Ass B*tch” to “Bad B*tch” but is this really progress? I’m not exactly sure I want to use those words to qualify my girl and I’m not exactly sure she’d appreciate it if I do, Urban Dictionary, 2Chainz or not.
I have my problems with my generation, just last Saturday I tweeted:
Generation (R)atchet
And I must have gotten God knows how many retweets. We all agree, we all know it, yet we encourage it. What am I saying? Where am I going with this? No I’m not asking all women or all of us to boycott music from artistes like 2Chainz and others, I mean, you like what you like. If you genuinely enjoy the songs then please go ahead and twerk to it. What I have problems with is when women pretty much rubberstamp these lyrics and terms and then turn around to attack guys who ride the wave and treat them like ‘bad b*tches’.
Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m really just overthinking this whole thing but that’s why we are here. I’d like to hear from you guys. Do you listen to and enjoy music like A$AP’s F*cking problems? What’s your take on our generation and our love for all things ‘ratchet’? Do you think context should always come to play when answering questions like Kanye’s? Do you agree with the Urban Dictionary’s definition of ‘bad b*tch’? Is it a term you use? You know the drill; use the comment box to speak express you. Cheers.
Firssssttt :)
Erm, this's cheating…really. -_-
You should go listen to Lupe fiasco’s Bitch Bad. It addresses the same topic in much the same way as you have talked about it.
I agree with you both but i still love Fucking problem and Birthday song( or whatever that 2chainz song is called).
Jam for days!
Lol!! I expected you to include 'Band a make her dance' in this and my inappropriate behavior when that song comes on (._. )
To me, the word 'bitch' is all about context and the way you use it. Among friends, bitch may just be a normal thing. A guy to a girl, bitch could be an insult and also a compliment depending on their relationship and the context of the whole thing.
With the way language has evolved, you have to always factor in human relationships and context. Sha don't be calling random women bitches!
sigh.. so easy to hide behind the evolution of language..
i don't i will like being called a bitch in whatever context.
Asin, it would just make my blood hot
So I imagine like my bf, because we are very close would be like ''Hey Dannyyyy biaaaatcccchh, I loveeee you''…..HAY!!! osalobua!!! ….No no way!
Lol. Silly dude. U dey claim first on your own blog. I don't know about present context but the base context of the word bitch one grew up to was not a nice thing. So its quite weird weird when women call themselves bitches. But then we need to look at the context of dudes calling themselves Niggas. Not so different really. So yea maybe its all about context. But in my opinion calling a woman a bitch in whatever context just oozes disrespect.
Interesting point about guys calling themselves Niggas or Dawgs.. is it really the same thing though?
It really isn't the same tho….. Cos thinking about it now its been a really long time I've used the word nigga or I've been called nigga by a friend. So yea, hiding behind evolution of language is quite wrong as in basic term calling a woman a bitch in whatever context is wrong. What do we see next in this *evolution*? They'll start calling themselves prostitute and it would depend on context? Lol
You are in the spirit brother..
they already started doing that too…. girls often be like "hey trick"… lol
LMFAO!!!!
Prostitute??……wait self, I swear a bitch is a prostitute….no?
It's different. A Nigerian dude calling another Nigerian dude 'My nigga' can only mean one thing, context doesn't come into play here. That's like a term of endearment
It's a personal thing .. My daily vocab doesn't include calling a girl a 'Bitch' in any context (Even during sex & in jest). Quite ironic 'cos I enjoy listening to these songs.
Likewise
I think you should listen to Lupe Fiasco's "B*tch Bad" puts it all in perspective. Its a cultural phenomenon tho. I doubt that Nigerian girls go about calling each other Bitches same way my friends don't call me Nigga or Dawg
Maybe they dont, but by twerking to these tunes, aren't they indirectly rubberstamping the phenomenon?
Yes they are. There's so much going on subliminally in music and videos, it takes a conscious effort to decipher everything. Sadly, a lot don't and just go ahead rubberstamp. Even in fashion, case to note, the ridiculous trend of extreme sagging pants by dudes. Lol
@Meyer Lansky: Sooooo wanted to make d reference as well. 9ce 1(Y).
@Tula-Man: In a way dey might be, but when one get to dissect the level of explanation he gives ehn. . . Eureka_things.
If you'll pardon a snippet ;
". . . and he thinks she a bad b*tch & she thinks she a bad b*tch
He thinks disrespectfully, she thinks of that sexually
She got the wrong idea, he don’t wanna f*ck her
He thinks she’s bad at being a b*tch like his mother
Momma never dress like that, come out the house, hot mess like that
A*s, t*tties, dress like that
All out to impress like that
Just like that, you see the fruit of the confusion
He caught in a reality, she caught in an illusion
Bad mean good to her, she really nice and smart
But bad mean bad to him, b*tch don’t play your part
But b*tch still bad to her if you say it the wrong way
But she think she a bitch, what a double entendre"
On twerking to tunes and Rubber stamping….. to an extent music is some form of alternate reality…e.g most guys here loved Eminem growing up and could quote his lyrics especially the ones he referenced killing his mum and kidnapping the mother of his child. Doesn't mean we want to do that. This topic reminds me of a Chris Rock special when he noted that girls were alright with misogynistic and derogatory lyrics in music (rap especially) as long as "he ain't talking about me". So no I don't think it is appropriate to say that twerking to these songs is some form of approval of "bitch" "bad bitch" or whatever.
Men have successfully brainwashed women into being called "Bitches" without feeling them bad about it (^_^)
Ridiculous!
I'll never understand whats supposed to be cute about being called a bitch, "bad" or otherwise.
No matter the context, I don’t think the word ‘b*tch or b*iatch is appropraite to address any woman/lady irrespective of evolution and modernity as we seem term/accept every thing that happens these days and attribute it to ‘changing times’
To me, only girls are allowed to call their girlsfriends bitches and it’s usually in jest. I don’t take kindly to any guy calling me that cuz it’s definitely an insult; bad bitch or not. Sounds like a double standard but that’s just how it is.
Its really simple… If y'all dont want to be called b*tches… dont call yourselves b*tches..period!
+1000
I can never call my self a bitch (bad or not) no matter what it means and i can't accept being called a bitch either, it just feels sooo wrong
I like the idea of people taking language that was supposed to be derogatory and watering it down. Also nothing comes quite close a description of Jolie or Beyonce as 'bad bitch', tbh.
I don't use bitch (unless I mean to insult) or nigga in any context. I find the first insulting and the second a blatant disregard for our history as Africans. I realise that language has evolved but I'm sorry, some things don't change.
Yes, singing and dancing to those lyrics is a rubberstamp, though probably unintentional in most cases.
Personally, I rarely come across such songs because I'm not a big rap fan, doesn't mean I wouldn't dance to it at a party or club. Just means I probably wouldn't have it in my library.
This is what the rap culture has done to us…increasingly derogatory to ladies especially..- Irrespective of context or social melieu using the word b***tc is simply unacceptable at least in the light of decency… Unfortunately how we think about things change the way they work; its a mental construct. For those who find such words acceptable..
“I hate callin’ the women bitches, but the bitches love it” – Aubrey Graham
This line generalizes but it sure holds true for majority of women..
thanks to TNC the song has been stuck in my head all day.lool. I still won't entertain anyone calling me that though
I've never heard/seen a girl call another a b*tch and especially not in the form of an endearment.
To the questions, i don't listen to a$ap or something..but i have listened to big sean's dance ft nicki minaj and he used the word b*tch as some sort of compliment to the girl.
On this gen.'s love for all things ratchet; i don't know what to say, i wasn't brought up that way, and i tend to be traditional in a lot of things.
Agreeing with urban dict., yes, i do. I do not use the words tho.
On kanye's question, contest shouldn't always come to play, because let's be sincere with ourselves, we nigerians have abused the use of that word, esp. the guys-once a girl does any bad thing, she becomes a b*tch-so if anyone wants contexts to come into play with the word, it won't be in nigeria, cos #imo we don't know how/when to use it
My personal 2 pence – I've personally been called a bitch (& other such rubbish) so many times & for so many random reasons that it's completely lost all meaning to me.
I don't even know if that's a good thing. Expect maybe for the fact that it's taught me to focus more on actions as opposed to the words that may be coming outta ones mouth…
No matter the context the 'B-word' is being used, I'd still find it offensive. I'm a music lover, but I'm very conscious of what I listen to. I loooooooove Nicki Minaj, but her songs had to go because of their lyrics. Others with strong language had to go too
Yh whatever bitch!
Its a context thing!
I went to school near Detroit, Michigan. Think 8 Mile (Where Eminem is from) Plenty of African Americans. The word "Bitch" could be used as an insult to a man or woman. It could also be used among friends (usually female) e.g "Bitch please! You like that boy! Don't front!" or guys could refer to a girl as a "Bad Bitch" if they think she's hot!
Its like the use of the word "Bad". It could mean "good".
e.g "That girl is bad!" Means the girl is hot.
Get it?
i personally would never call myself a bitch. neither would i call my friends bitches. it's just too rude IMO.
i agree that our generation has issues