Examine the lyrics of rap songs and write your answers for the following questions:

1) Describe any examples of male characters in the songs associated with the public sphere – work, either legal or illegal? What affects might they have on definitions of masculinity?

2) Describe examples of male dominance and control? How do these shape views of men’s roles? How do they affect views of sexuality

3)What examples do you see of representations of women as child-like, innocent, vulnerable – potential victims of violence

4)What kinds of body shapes do women in the rap videos have? Compare and contrast that to body shapes of other race/ethnicities – white, Hispanic, Asian? How is the preferred body shape affected by race? What affect could this have on the way women of each race view as an ideal body shape?