Is this the most offensive and sexist song of 2014?
Music video that tells women to 'shut the f*** up' is misogynistic and promotes rape culture, say critics
A music video created by the rap duo Play-N-Skillz has been dubbed the most offensive and sexist song of the year by online commentators.
The promo for Literally I Can't, featuring Redfoo, Lil Jon and Enertia McFly, is set at fraternity party where the rappers repeatedly tell a group of sorority sisters to "shut the f*** up" as they try to resist their advances.
Its critics argue that not only does it display the sexism often inherent in rap songs, but even more worryingly, it normalises and promotes rape culture by ignoring boundaries and consent.
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The song's lyrics include the lines:
- "Put your lips on my bottle... I know that you can, I don't wanna hear no."
- "Shhh... I said jump on the pole, I didn't need your opinion... I'm trying to see what you got, not trying to hear what you think."
- "You got a big ol' butt, I can tell by the way you walkin'. But you an annoying slut, cos you talkin, ugh."
Campaigners also say the college setting is particularly offensive due to the growing outcry against flawed campus sexual assault policies at US universities.
Redfoo defended the song on Twitter, saying he was being "victimised" by his critics and that the lyrics of his "comical party song" had been "misinterpreted". He also went on to say:
To which his critics responded:
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling on the producers of Australian X Factor to fire him as a judge on the talent show. Campaigners say his role "requires him to mentor contestants - often, young women. His offensive and misogynistic portrayal of women in his video clips and performances disqualifies him from such a role."
And as for "a purely musical assessment," writes Inae Oh for Mother Jones, "the song is just insufferable".
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