Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby got back" Could this be offensive?

The song samples the 1986 Detroit techno single "Technicolor" by Channel One. At the time of its original release, the song caused controversy with its outspoken and blatantly sexual lyrics that could be offensive to women, as well as specific references to the female buttocks which to certain individuals could be objectionable.

In the opening scene of the music video, it depicts two girls talking about viewing a girl and referencing how her butt makes her "look like a rap guy's girlfriend." This eludes to rappers companions to be objectified by the way their bodies are viewed. The females go on to discuss how "They only talk to her because she looks like a total prostitute." In Kilbourne's article, "'Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt': Advertising and Violence," she says, "The main goal, as in pornography, is usually power over another, either by physical dominance or preferred status of men..."(Kilbourne, 575).

Another scene shows five women dressed in skimpy tight clothing in circle with their butts next to each other with their hands placed in a manner in which their behinds are worshipped. They bend down and spank each other all in unison. The camera angle is viewed from an eagle eye and shown in a way that is highlighting the main theme of the song. The following scene is Sir-Mix-A-Lot signaling to the women dancing on a giant derriere as if this type of behavior is glorified.

The song’s long-lasting success owes greatly to its music video, which, aside from featuring Sir Mix-a-Lot dancing atop a giant fanny and countless buttocks-related visual puns, generated a healthy amount of buzz when MTV banned it and fans, countered that it offered a far more realistic glimpse at the female form than other music videos of the day. Towards the end of this music video, captures a female in pink lingerie as a hotline specialist with the text across the screen "Call Now" suggesting sexual themes. This promotes the idea that sexist behavior is normalized and cemented by marketing companies.

There are many suggestive themes, puns, and references to sexism and objectifying women in this video. And that having a butt or having back, as one would say, is normal and desirable. While this song and music video remain relevant today, could this be contributing to the inequality of the sexes and cultural norms of todays society? Sir-Mix-A-Lot may argue that this song and video were meant to be funny or entertaining, however, some may view this explicit content to be indeed offensive and sexist.

(Kemp, Rob (2013-12-19). "And I Cannot Lie': The Oral History of Sir Mix-A-Lot's 'Baby Got Back' Video" Vulture. New York Media.

Kilbourne, Jean. "Three Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt." Rereading America. Eds. Colombo, Cullen, Lisle. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's P. 2013.

"Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back (Official Music Video)" YouTube. uploaded by SirMixALotVEVO. © 1992 American Recordings, LLC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X53ZSxkQ3Ho