Chris Brown and Future do not have the best relationship with women, let alone black women to be more specific. Future's pettiness has won the approval of black men as he trolls Ciara’s and Russell Wilson’s marriage, because only simps date single mothers. Meanwhile, Chris Brown is under a restraining order and picks fights with men who are seeing his ex-girlfriend, Karrueche Tran.
These two would be best friends, and I was not surprised when I saw the disrespect of women in the debut of their new music video “PIE.”
It was the typical color-struck music video that most black artists fall for. Granted, I was confused whether I should take a stance that dark-skinned black women should be in the video, but after re-watching it, I knew my sisters deserved better, but not just dark-skinned women, but all women in general.
I wish non-black, light skinned and mixed women of color would speak out on the casting calls and encourage artists to highlight women of all shades, but mostly dark-skinned black women and those of various body types and features. It should not have to be a political statement like Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” but a statement that is just done in osmosis without any thought and it becomes an instinct, just like how black artists do not have to be asked if they want exotic women onset.
Despite, the positive media portrayal of light-skinned women, these artists are throwing subliminal shade, as they imply that those women are easy and docile. It assumes sexual access is guaranteed as long as black men throw cash and live up to hyper-masculinity. The music video itself is ridiculous, as women who are knowingly side-pieces show up to the Future and Chris Brown crib to have a "good time." I understand that there are scandalous women, but this is not about them.
Chris Brown’s arrogance bothers me as he drops lyrics flaunting that he does not have to pay. Most likely, he is inferring that he does not pay for sex, but it is problematic seeing women volunteer to be abused and objectified for misogynistic entertainment. Men relish in their financial power to control women sexually, as they want to govern when women are allowed to look sexy, and when they need to cover up.
The song also plays on the controversial combination of drugs and sex. It is a common headline black celebrities face. It is still easy for women to be dismissed of their accusations because the violator was "too good of a person" or "she was after his money." Even when watching All Eyez on Me, the film did a poor job in sympathizing with the woman who claimed she was raped. Rather, the film seduced the audience to believe that she was a thot who was plotting to betray Tupac.
Hyper-masculinity is driving black boys to envision and re-enact risky sexual behaviors with the full acknowledgement of consent as an afterthought or self-implied—it is not verbally asked. Granted, most people do not look to Future and Chris Brown as role-models, but they are privileged to be reckless.
While continuing to watch the music video, my Hotep-hat fell off when big-booty Becky came to the door. She did squats and, of course, Future had to slap it. Did I mention she is a white girl with a booty? I mean, that’s a score for black men. As a black man, I get tired of colorism and granting white women "cool points" for appreciating black women. Also, I am not against women wanting to be sexy or showcasing the thrill of sex work or just hot sex, but I want video vixens to have anatomy. They should want genuine love for themselves and not sharing men in front of other women that he is trying to have sex with.
Of course, I will not listen or jam to the beat as I refuse to support music and artists who contribute to colorism and rape culture.