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Yesterday, a friend got me a media pass to attend the Toronto stop of "Get Your Money Right," a summit that is touring North America that is geared towards youth on financial empowerment, created by Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons.
As I stood in the press room and watched Canadian and American Hip-Hop celebrities talk to the media and pose for pictures, I couldn't figure out who was who - I'm a bit too old to know who the latest artists are. But when I entered the auditorium, it was pretty evident that the throngs of teenagers and young adults were excited to see performers, some that have never appeared on our music video station. But thanks to Hip-Hop magazines, we can still idolize the American stars and catch up on the latest gossip. While plauged with complaints that magazines such as The Source, XXL and Vibe are laden with sexualized images, these magazines work as a gateway into a bling-filled world that many of us will never have the opportunity to live.
Last week, former editor in chief Kim Osorio won a workplace lawsuit against The Source, netting her 15.5 million. In her lawsuit she citied sexual harassment, gender discrimination and unlawful retaliation. Ex-marketing exectutive Michelle Joyce supported Osorio in her claims.
While this is a landmark decision for women working in the Hip-Hop industry and according to the Village Voice a signifier as to the larger issues happening in the industry, will this decision really change anything? But as some have pointed out, sexism has always been present in the music industry, regardless of the musical genre. But while it has been reported that because The Source is heavily in debt that Osorio might never see her money, she was able to stand up and assert her rights in an atmosphere where traditionally women have been silenced.
