When confronted about how her original name - Noname Gypsy - was “racially inappropriate,” she dropped gypsy from her name. Many of us have watched Noname’s praxis develop over the years, and she’s been willing to actively listen and do the work necessary to grow and hold herself accountable. Noname is representative of the type of Black woman Cole is addressing. In “Snow on Tha Bluff,” he has veiled his misogyny with complaints about inaccessibility when, in reality, his education and monetary resources grant him the access he claims to want. But when Cole decided to share this song just days after Toyin’s passing - and on a day where two videos of violent acts against Black women were being widely shared - it became clear misogyny cannot be hidden where it is inherently embedded. In the first part of the track Cole is singling out a particular type of Black woman: one who he believes shouldn’t judge him for not being as “woke” as anyone else, and asking them, “How you gon’ lead when you attackin’ the very same niggas that really do need the shit that you sayin’?”ĭespite claims that his stories of women are as misogynistic as the rest, he’s been able to win the hearts of millions of listeners by being careful with the way he pens his misogyny. Although many believe the woman is activist and artist Noname, who, in late May, called out “top-selling rappers” for not using their platforms to speak out against the injustices currently taking place. To others, its commentary is undermined by lyrics directed at an unnamed woman. To some, it follows in line with the North Carolina rapper’s brand of insightful and thoughtful rhymes, providing a commentary on the ongoing protests occurring throughout the country against racism and police brutality. Cole put it on his recent, tone-deaf release “ Snow on Tha Bluff.“
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That want to be heard is often times misconstrued as us being holier than thou - having a “queen tone” as J. That is a tale that many Black women carry: wondering if they’ll be heard in a world that refuses to really hear them until it’s too late. Others felt personally attacked and decided to ignore the conversation altogether.
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Black men, however, were not as outraged: some gave declarations of needing to do better. As Toyin’s death was shared on social media, Black women voiced the frustration and hurt of seeing a passionate activist killed by the same people she was advocating for. Salau, a Florida-based activist, had warned us of her abuser, but no one listened until it was too late. Another one - another nurturer, fighter, Black woman gone because of misogynoir. When the news of Oluwatoyin “Toyin” Salau’s murder broke on Twitter, I became overwhelmed with anger and sorrow. The song’s commentary is undermined by lyrics directed at an unnamed woman perceived to be Noname.
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Cole’s new song “Snow On Tha Bluff” is a notable miss from the rapper. Photo Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images J.