Baby Got Back, by Sir Mix-A-Lot?

Question

Does it shamelessly degrade women?

Or is it a joyous celebration of the beauty of the female "back"?

Here's a link to the lyrics: http://lyricwiki.org/Sir_Mixalot:Baby_Got_Back

Rio and Ashley--

How can you fail to be moved by the poetry of a genius at work???

Here, Lioness: want a laugh? The quality is terrible, but it's hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCv2cgIlnHA

Answer 1

I think it's actually a song that supports women. It portrays skinny, flat-butt models in a negative way (which many of them should be since they are of an unhealthy weight) and shows curvy, voluptuous women that many men still appreciate a woman who doesn't starve herself. It also says many other positive things like "those silicone parts are made for toys" and "I won't cuss or hit ya". I also love that Sir Mix-A-Lot acknowledges that we white boys love a woman with back..."even white boys got to shout BABY GOT BACK!"

Answer 2

No, I certainly feel that the whimsical delivery softens the tone.

While I'm not exactly a big butt 'fan,' good is good, irrespective of size. Same with plus size women, in general: it isn't the measurements or the statistical weight. Like ikebana, (Japanese floral arrangement) it is all about relative placement, and how all the parts interact to form a harmonious whole, not the individual pieces, nor the statistics of each part. Beauty is beauty. Sometimes there is just more of it!

So, I'm gonna have to say joyous celebration of the female rear, particularly the variety Mr. Mix-a-lot prefers. Again, the large hinie is not my 'ideal' preference, but I have been known to stop in awe of one, here and there. Ideals are great, but you gotta recognize when good is just good.

Additionally, I think the song empowers women (in a silly way, but still) who are packin' a hefty package and are self conscious about it. Just like men, confidence is attractive. If the women treats her double whopper like an asset (no pun intended) rather than a flaw, it will be more readily recognized as an asset. And also as a big, fine, silky, round... okay I gotta stop now.

But just imagine the way the moon glow illuminates the curve of her... okay, I'm really stopping now.

Answer 3

I don't think so, least not entirely, he's not so much degrading women, as he is stating his preference aloud and encouraging the thicker ladies to celebrate their curvy features, though Brad made an interesting point which was pretty funny.

Heck, I too like big butts and curves on women, so I can't blame the guy! Hehe.
Some of you are hilarious! I'm going back to re-read these amusing answers.


Edit: Gigglez, agreed darling. ;-)

Lioness: Now you'll have me singing it all night, thanks alot ET. :-p

Lioness: Haha! I'll shake it alright...we can do side bends or sit-ups but we're not losing those butts, hehe. ;-)

ET: Haha, what a hoot! You're on a roll girl.

Answer 4

i have VERY mixed feelings about this, but he's not calling women B or H, not dropping the N-bomb, and in some ways it's encouraging and countering other forms of objectification with a message that at least promotes diversity.

I'd say yes, it shamelessly degrades women and yes, it is a joyous celebration...

And it is catchy!

Answer 5

It is most definitely a celebration! To quote the man, Sir Mix-A-Lot "I like big butts and I can not lie". The only women that he says anything bad about are skinny and artificial women. The only reason that he says these things is because that is what he likes. Long live "back"! FYI: I am "white". (If skin color matters)

Answer 6

It's irrelevant. I suppose we could look at a painting or a movie where women are being portrayed distastefully and feel indignant, but it's fiction, so why should we? I don't feel offended when I'm reading a novel and a female character is degraded. So long as the author isn't trying to present his work as factual, then I take the words as they are intended: they are a work of his imagination.

Answer 7

The video is pure cheeze - and that's what makes it an INOFFENSIVE classic...

It is meant to be a celebration of all that is great about women (at least in HIS view) - with more than enough tounge-in-cheek humour to balance the "message" and the beat ;););)

Answer 8

It's a great song and it always cheers me up about being a curvy gal, especially the lyrics-Yeah, baby ... when it comes to females, Cosmo ain't got nothin'
to do with my selection. 36-24-36? Ha ha, only if she's 5'3".
Ha, curvy shortie that's me. But Italian men like curves too, hubby doesn't want me to diet and lose them.

Answer 9

Aw, I love that song. Yes, it is a joyous celebration of certain female parts. It's actually not very offensive to me - he's not necessarily objectifying women, he's just applauding his favorite part of the female body. That doesn't mean he thinks women themselves are objects or that it's OK to use them.

Answer 10

TrippieHippie...you said it BEST!! Thanks from all of us ladies with "back"! I have and always will have a ghetto bootie and I am proud of it! This song is hysterical and fun and actually praises ladies and sends a "love you for who you are" message. He discourages plastic surgery and domestic violence while glorifying what he likes most about women!