Stormzy AIBU

[MissChananderlerbong]

Prepared to be told I'm being old and boring.
I enjoyed Stormzy's set, he's obviously a progressive liberal guy, and he seems like a good human.
So why the sexist lyrics?
"Finish on her face to top it off (ay)"
"If her friend is a dead ting, take one for the bredren"
"2 peng tings at the entrance" (just feels wrong calling women 'things')
If he was just another artist then fine, but he seems so principled in so many other ways. So I find this odd.

@Juells

The ultimate insult that trumps everything

It certainly has a lot of explaining to do. Some of us got cut of at the intersection.

I used to listen to artists such as Method Man etc back in the 90s. I was young then - I lived the music even though the lyrics were sometimes about rape, so there was a kind of cognitive dissonance going on for me. Like some posters on here, I would have said something like, “yes but you have to interpret this in its social context” etc.

Then you just grow up and realise that this is just bollocks. Misogyny is misogyny, whatever spin you want to put in it. Just as homophobia is homophobia and racism is racism.

Earlywalker
The point is lost on a lot of the woman here because some white feminists fail to understand that oppression is not solely reserved for woman.

I'm sick of men using 'white feminism' as an insult. I'm a woman. I'm white. I'm entitled to an opinion. Are only men entitled to opinions? And black men even more so? Women at the bottom of the victim pyramid again?

I'm sick of men using 'white feminism' as an insult.

Me too. I'm a mixed-race woman. I too am entitled to an opinion.

It certainly has a lot of explaining to do.

No it doesn't. Why is one specific group of women who fought for their rights blamed for what men do?

It is the prism through which they see and interpret things. I really also have no time for the trans movement, for example. Men that 'feel' like women and want to redefine womanhood so that they can control it. They can get to fuck. But this is a discussion that doesn't involve Stormzy. Infact his girlfriend is a lot more problematic than he is given what she has said/tweeted in the past.

I'd be really interested to hear what black feminists/ black women who understand grime, think of Stormzy's lyrics.

@MerryMarigold I'm one such a woman and my thoughts are: Stormzy is a fine, respectable young black man doing his best for his community and entering spaces which others feel he doesn't belong in. I'm not a fan of grime - would much rather have Celine Dion on play, but it is what it is.

I’m mixed race and stand by my opinion throughout that although I don’t agree with all of his lyrics, I think a lot of the scrutiny on him and not other (equally offensive) songs/artists does come from the fact that he doesn’t have white privilege.

@Earlywalker Entirely agree with you.

Thank you. That says a lot, I think.

“I think a lot of the scrutiny on him and not other (equally offensive) songs/artists does come from the fact that he doesn’t have white privilege.”

So if Ed Sheehan or Justin Bieber used the word “slut” in a song, or talked about “finishing her off with a facial” (in those words), do you really think people wouldn’t notice? Or it would be ok because they’re white?

Anyone who headlines Glastonbury will attract attention. It’s as simple as that, That’s why we’re discussing Stormzy today. If it was Adele who had those lyrics, we’d be discussing her.

Mature thoughtful people on the scene?

I'd really hate to hear the rest of the scenes crap them. Awful lyrics. If he is supposed to be a leader, then lead with respect

I hope that didn't sound facetious, meant genuinely.

Personally I think it's about being a man, and having male privilege.

I thought it was bloody awful and turned it off after 2 songs. Didn't listen to the lyrics but if that's what it is then that's just vile.

Feel a it sorry for people at Glastonbury this year. At least one headliner is usually a cracker. They're all terrible this year.

Please...
No one’s “picking on” Stormzy because it’s him. I was sitting in the car, song came on, I liked it, checked the lyrics online so I can erm, sing along - turns out the lyrics are turd

juells
Do you not think white privilege exists?

As people have mentioned Billie Eilish has dodgy lyrics but there aren't 3 threads about her. People feel somehow like they need to knock Stormzy down a peg or two.

Male privilege doesn't work the same way for black men.

Of course white privileged exists, but if you headline Glastonbury, then expect to be judged on what you put out there - same as anyone else!

So if Ed Sheehan or Justin Bieber used the word “slut” in a song, or talked about “finishing her off with a facial” (in those words), do you really think people wouldn’t notice? Or it would be ok because they’re white? confused

Several posters have already pointed out the misogyny in Ed Sheeran’s music.

If your point is that misogyny is only a problem when it comes in the form of explicit language (but is fine when it’s just an awkward white boy writing lyrics full of incel tropes) then I think it’s fair to point out that you are perpetuating a double standard whereby you object to the apparent misogyny of black men but not the misogyny of white men.

An adult man - any adult man - I don’t care what his ethnicity is, or his social background, who chooses to use the word “slut” should be held to account for it.

Today we’re discussing Stormzy because he headlined yesterday, but it would apply to anyone else. If Bitner has headlined yesterday using that word it similar, it would be exactly the same reaction.

If someone comes out with a racist slur, do we say, “Ooh noo....it’s ok that they said that because they’re from a particular ethnicity / background / demographic.” Or do we say, “It ok because it’s performance.” No we do not. We call them out in it. No excuses.

There isn't 3 threads about Billie Eilish cos she wasn't headlining Glastonbury !

So is it just the word ‘slut’ you have a problem with, rather than misogyny generally?