Music’s Impact on the Sexualization of Black Bodies: Examining Links Between Hip-Hop and Sexualization of Black Women

Abstract

The pervasiveness of sexualization in Western societies is harmful to women, regardless of racial or ethnic identity. However, predictors of sexualization among Black women are understudied. To address this gap, we examined whether listening to and liking hip-hop music would each independently relate to the sexualization of Black women in everyday life, and if this relation unfolded through greater exposure to objectification of Black women in music. A sample of 215 college students completed self-report questionnaires that assessed preferences for liking and listening to hip-hop music, exposure to objectification of Black women in music, and biases toward sexualizing Black women in everyday life. Results revealed that more exposure to objectification of Black women in music mediated the relation between increased listening to hip-hop music and greater sexualization of Black women in everyday life, B = 0.08, SE = 0.03, 95% CI [0.03, 0.13]. Similarly, the link between liking hip-hop music and sexualization of Black women in everyday life was mediated by exposure to objectification of Black women in music, B = 0.09, SE = 0.03, 95% CI [0.04, 0.15]. Results provide an initial step in understanding how preferences toward hip-hop music and exposure to objectification of Black women in musiccontributes to sexualization of Black women. Future research should continue contributing to conversations that challenge the hypersexualization of Black women.