I don’t know what the fuck is going on …

I have listened to Action Bronson talk about wanting to put knives in buttholes, Miguel declaring my pussy his (false), Schoolboy Q talk about how he loves to hear that pussy purr (in my dreams!), and MY FAVORITE lyric by Skeme and Schoolboy Q “cotton candy, sweet as gold, let me see your pussy hole”, but Drake’s video grosses me out.

Firstly, he’s the worst. He’s all smile with no heart. His lyrics are empty - and in fact there aren’t any real substantial lyrics here, just this continual reassurance that he started from the bottom. Did I miss something? Is there a whole host of poetry? I just hear a beat and a man protesting too much about his ability to be more than just a smile and a former child star. It doesn’t matter how many times he says it, we all know that his hip hop career wasn’t from the complete bottom. Being a teenage star in Degrassi, no doubt helps. It’s evident, because he has absolutely nothing to say.

Secondly, this video. It is vile because it is under the guise of good naturedness, but only perpetuates the objectification of women - but not in a standard “video vixen” sort of way, where women could arguably be in control of their objectification, but the fact that they are rather passive in this construction. What’s most uncomfortable is the real world application… So we’re supposed to find it hilarious when a woman just wants to purchase lip balm, but has to stand while the clerk victimizes her, stares at her tits and for a moment is held hostage by his gaze - then she is passed over for yet another chuckle worthy dude - who continues to hold her up, lies, but because he’s arguably (far more arguably, because he’s a complete lech) more attractive than the first, she comes across as interested and all the possible threat is minimized, because it is assumed she was into it the entire time. Sexual harassment is the new pickup line. This is followed by clips of headless women gyrating - I don’t know if they get paid more or less if their faces are on camera - but they sure are being watched by drunk, panting, sweaty dudes, who can’t believe their luck.

What bothers me most is the dishonesty. I would much rather have somebody straight up objectify women, then attempting to back away, disassociatie, and hide behind the guise of “irony.” Drake is for me more threatening, because he acts not only as if it is natural, but as if he deserves it - it’s his right as a man to ogle, to harass, and women should get on board. What’s frightening is that he’s kind of right to think that, considering he’s the mainstream golden boy and because he’s come at Chris Brown in defense of Rihanna - and because of that is viewed as Prince Charming (though, I have a problem with a defender who has a sword in one hand and an unsuspecting boob in the other).

Aubrey (Drake) is the roofie guy, the guy who street harasses women while they walk in the middle of the afternoon, and the kids who laugh and brag about the girls they and their friends taught lessons to earlier that week.

Rather than talk about explicit lyrics, let’s talk about this…let’s talk about the way in which all of what those like Aubrey perpetuate has been naturalized by the music industry - that rather than play songs that deal explicitly with race, MTV will play this shit. Will give it award and Drake will continue to make drudge after drudge after drudge - while anything remotely challenging will further be contextualized as more dangerous, more underground - and I’m not sure if more accessible. The problem with the internet’s openness is that it’s easy to get lost and we often times just stick to what we know or with that which is familiar.

We should all just listen to Prince.

But since he’s all about legality, this will have to do - a bit of Venus and Furs …