"Tip Drill"

Most forms of media in today’s culture send many different messages, and these messages can be conflicting. The media is broadcasted with equivalency to the public, but the same media will be interpreted by different groups of people with differing perspectives. Rap music is a male dominated industry; the rap industry perpetuates the violence and disrespect towards the women of color who participate in, and who are influenced by this genre.

The women who participate in music videos and other aspects of the rap industry are not responsible for the images that portray them. Men are responsible for what society finds attractive and desirable.

The video “Tip Drill” by the rapper Nelly has become a cultural phenomenon. This video was released in 2006, and it is still causing controversy. The definition of a “tip drill” according to UrbanDictionary.com is “when a girl bends over and a man puts his penis in her ass crack without any penetration. This is usually done as foreplay before doggy style sex or as an act when the man and the woman do not want to engage in full intercourse. The woman's ass cheeks are used to excite the penis, sometimes to ejaculation.” The first decipherable words are “I said it must be your ass, cuz it ain’t your face. I need a tip drill I need a tip drill.” The women are reduced to body parts. At one point in the video a man slides a credit card between the butt cheeks of one of the female dancers. He has reduced her to an inanimate object. I am personally offended by the picture below, but I felt it strengthened my argument!!

Networks like VH1, MTV and BET have been criticized for airing videos like “Tip Drill.” The combinations of images and music together have been gaining popularity since the 1980’s and these networks are trying to keep up with "customer needs and demands." (MTV)  I know that I do not "want" or "need" or "demand" to see ANYTHING like this played on my television!