Hip Hop & Roe V. Wade: A Long History

Roe v Wade is a hot-button issue currently in the United States. But the medium of rap music has been speaking on it for decades.

It’s no secret music has a significant influence on American society’s social and political landscape. The 60s sound-tracked the public feelings on civil rights, and the hits of the 70s reflected Americans’ thoughts on the ongoing war. With rap being the most dominant genre of music on the Billboard charts, it works as a vessel for discourse in our modern day.

Following the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, a precedent was set to consider abortion a constitutional right. At the time, this disrupted state anti-abortion laws across the country and sparked a pressing debate, continuing to this day. As the public’s view on abortion changes drastically over time, How has its narrative in Hip-Hop changed with it?

Fresh Off Roe V. Wade

One of the earliest and most condemning mentions of abortion in rap is the aptly under name “Abortion” by Doug E. Fresh. The 1986 song is entirely about opposing the procedure on a moral basis. Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew reflected many Americans’ views back at the times when sex education was much hardly available.

36 years later, we see the same anti-abortion arguments as in 1986 Doug E. Fresh’s and the Get Fresh Crew’s song. However, today such discourse takes place on the Senate floor.

Mind distortion, the world morals is out of proportion

And I want it played in every Walkman

All of us were born into a life of sin

That’s something in the genes buried deep within 

But to give or take life, you must pay the price

Of course, this is just 13 years after Roe v Wade. Soon enough, many more artists and Americans alike would gain a deeper understanding. At least, for a bit of a while. 2

Tupac Turns The Tide

Tupac Shakur is known for being ahead of his time in more ways than one. This includes his take on reproductive rights. Seeing as how Shakur grew up with a single mother, he shows rare sympathy for young girls raising kids. In his 1993 song “Keep Ya Head Up,” Tupac clearly states his belief that women should have the right to choose.

And since a man can’t make one

He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one 

So will the real men get up 

I know you’re fed up, ladies, but keep ya head up

Obviously, this is something Shakur felt passionate about. Two years earlier, he released “Brenda’s Got a Baby.” This well-known track details a pregnant young girl facing unimaginable hardship after suffering sexual abuse.

I hear Brenda’s got a baby

But Brenda’s barely got a brain

A damn shame, the girl can hardly spell her name

Tupac vividly paints a picture of the circumstances a baby can be born into when women are stripped of their reproductive rights. Notably, “Brenda’s Got a Baby” struck a chord with many listeners who never heard a record told from the mother’s viewpoint. It remains one of Tupac’s most beloved records in his impressive catalog.

Up Close & Personal

Another rapper who hasn’t shied away from the topic of abortion is Lauryn Hill. The Fugees alumna has a firsthand account of being pregnant and on the fence about getting the procedure. In her 1998 song “To Zion,” Hill describes in detail the pressure she was under to terminate her first pregnancy.

Woe this crazy circumstance

I knew his life deserved a chance

But everybody told me to be smart

‘Look at your career,’ they said

“Lauryn, baby, use your head” 

But instead, I chose to use my heart 

Now the joy of my world is in Zion

Zion came to Hill during a tumultuous time in her life and career. The then-22-year-old was just starting her solo career after a rocky relationship with bandmate Wyclef Jean. It’s easy to imagine those around Hill discouraging her decision, but the beauty of “To Zion” is the presence of a decision. Through a mix of storytelling and actual experience, the “Ex-Factor” MC expresses her love for her son and stands firmly in her choice.

Common and Lauryn collaborated on another song about family planning the previous year. “Retrospect For Life” follows a young couple discussing if they should start a family or not.

I wouldn’t choose any other to mother my understanding 

But I want our Parenthood to come from Planning  

It’s so much in my life that’s undone 

We gotta see eye to eye about family before we can become one

By the content and context of the lyrics, it’s clear that abortion has shifted from a complete taboo to an ordinary conversation. Of course, the public eye would still avoid the subject. However, many couples start talking behind closed doors. Kids impact everything for their parents, money, space, time, and “Retrospect For Life” gets candid about that. Similarly to Zion, this adds a human element to the debate.

The Hardest Decision

As Hip-Hop transitioned into the new millennium, the politics surrounding reproductive rights continued to evolve. Two rap songs from the 2000s, “What’s Going On” and “My Story (Please Forgive Me),” give a more regretful stance.

Love & Hip Hop star and artist Remy Ma loves to gush about her kids and the joy of motherhood. But avid fans know motherhood has always been a big part of her. In “What’s Going On,” featuring Keyshia Cole, Remy tells the tale of a young woman looking back on her abortion with remorse.

Tell me what’s going I know what I’m doing is wrong 

Can you hear me, Lord, when I’m calling? Forgive me, my baby

How am I supposed to feel the situation is real

Neva wanted to let you baby go. We’ll meet again, I know, baby

Similarly, in “My Story” by Jean Grae, pregnancy termination is allegedly dark and guilt-inducing.

See when the rain comes down, I know it’s fallin’ for me, and only for me

And when the pain comes around, there’s nowhere else I rather would be

I know what I’ve done. Please forgive me

It’s worth noting neither artist here puts down women who choose that planned parenthood trip. There are no petty insults or agendas but rather harsh truths about the realities of such a difficult choice. Like many rap songs about reproductive rights, simple storytelling here makes compelling points.

Looking Ahead At Roe V. Wade

More recent offerings in the Hip-Hop world reflect the still chaotic debate raging on. On the one hand, there’s still sympathy for potential mothers in tracks like “Lost Ones” by J Cole. The early 2010’s deep cut documents a young man telling his girlfriend he doesn’t think they’re ready to start a family. Abortion here is framed as a decision for a man and woman to make together for their own sake. However, many rappers in our current landscape still see abortion in an inherently negative light. “If These Walls Could Talk,” by Gat Turner and Viva Fidel, explicitly calls it murder.

Shook like an unborn man, my life in danger

Cause first sign of trouble mama looking for the hanger

Shook like an unborn mama trying to murder me 

First-degree abortion, devil call it surgery

Indeed, time doesn’t wash away long-held beliefs. These two songs perfectly exemplify the two sides of the coin in the contentious political battle. What appears as family planning to some has more immense moral implications for others.

Wherever you stand, it’s clear that reproductive rights are going through a change unseen since 1973. The country’s political landscape is slowly changing, and rap music will continue to be the soundtrack for that transition.

Also, Follow FMHipHop on Instagram and Facebook

Dreema Carrington|IG: @dr3amgirl79 | Twitter: @notdreema