The film "HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" takes an in-depth look at representations of manhood, sexism and homophobia in hip-hop culture. This documentary is a “loving critique” of certain "disturbing" developments in rap music culture from the point of view of a fan who challenges the art form’s representations of masculinity. The film was screened on January 9th at the San Francisco Public Library. The event included a screening of the short "Trendsetters or Fakers," and a panel discussion. The film was also shown on January 17th at the Oakland Museum of California at 6:00pm. That evening included performances by Youth Movement Records and Youth Speaks, and audio pieces produced by TEMPO; and discussion with filmmaker Byron Hurt, Juba Kalamka of the PeaceOUT World Homohop Festival, and others. Independent Television Service is working on a campaign whose goals include engaging youth in reflection, discussion, critical thinking, and problem-solving around the causes and effects of sexism, homophobia and violence within hip-hop culture. PBS will be showing the film on February 20th.

In mainstream rap, the role of women—as described in lyrics, music videos and commercial radio—is as a recipient of male domination and insult. Experts have suggested that mainstream rap videos relegate women to adornments to the male artist, and that young people, who are repeatedly exposed to these images, act them out in their own social situations, often leading to violence and other social transgressions. While most fetishized bodies depicted in rap videos are female, sexualized images of male rap artists also populate the urban media frontier. These male images are not simply intended for female viewers—gay men also consume hip-hop. While these images can be seen as homoerotic, and homosexuality crops up in rap lyrics, gay male sexuality in hip-hop culture is rarely viewed as positive.

Independent Television Service | ITVS's "Hip Hop" Page | Media Education Foundation's "Hip-Hop" Page