Lately, the conversation surrounding Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” has been just as loud as the song itself.
Some people hear it and celebrate a woman having fun, speaking freely, and making music that doesn’t ask for permission. Others hear it and worry about what it says to young women, to the culture, and to the direction of hip-hop.
India Arie, one of my favorite vocalists, shared her thoughts by responding to a social media user, suggesting that Yung Miami’s latest single should be boycotted.
I understand where India is coming from, but I also understand why “Spend Dat” exists.
Here’s my 2cents…
Some artists create music for healing.
Some create music for dancing.
Some create music for protest.
Some create music for seduction.
Some create music because life is hard and they want three minutes where nobody’s thinking about bills, politics, or pain.
Music is for EVERYBODY, and as a music lover, I don’t think every song has to carry the same weight. I grew up in the ’90s, the era when we listened to Lil’ Kim, and If we’re being honest, she shocked a lot of people back then too. People questioned what her lyrics meant for women, what they represented, and whether they were empowering or degrading.Yet somehow, I still became the woman I am today.
Lil Kim’s music didn’t erase my value, and being a fan of her music didn’t make me less of a woman with integrity, or determine my character. It became part of the soundtrack of my life. That’s why I struggle when we expect one artist to represent all women.
I believe there’s room for both of their type of music.
I can listen to “Video” when I need to remember my worth, and although I’ve never heard of Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” until all the HOOPLAH, I’m sure I can listen to while riding with my girls during a night out.
I don’t become less intelligent because I enjoy a ratchet song.
I don’t become more righteous because I only listen to conscious music.
People are more layered than that.
Amd here’s the truth that might make some folks uncomfortable: I can read my Bible one day……and twerk to the radio the next! One doesn’t automatically cancel out the other.
Faith, joy, celebration, conviction, laughter, growth…we’re all capable of holding all of those things at once.That’s what being human looks like.
Music has always reflected the many versions of ourselves. The reflective version. The heartbroken version. The healed version. The party version. The version that’s trying to forget last week ever happened….
I appreciate that there are artists making different kinds of music for different moments.
