Sexual consent in music concerns the presence, absence or ambiguity of elements of sexual consent in the lyrics of a song, or sometimes the audiovisual representation of a song in a music video. This has been the subject of numerous analyses by music journalists, feminists, sociologists, human rights activists, as well as public debate in the media.
The main concern of critics is that the lack or ambiguity of sexual consent in music may send a message that encourages rape culture in human society.[1][2][3] Artists and their sympathisers whose musical productions are criticised for an alleged lack of consent have responded to these allegations in a range of different ways from invoking the artistic freedom of expression to publish/release any work regardless of content, to explaining their own interpretations of the work, to changing the contents of their work, to apologising for and denouncing their work in hindsight (for example, Pharrell Williams for his co-authorship of "Blurred Lines"[1][2]). In some cases, other artists have written their own pro-consent versions of controversial songs such as "Baby, It's Cold Outside"[4][5] or "Barbie Girl".[6] In other cases, radio stations or students' unions have banned certain songs because they were deemed to promote sexual violence or misogyny.[7]
Academics and social commentators have paid particular attention to the alleged lack of sexual consent in hip hop (rap) music (see also misogyny in rap music),[3] while others have argued that problematic messages about consent are to be found in all music genres,[8] and that several well-known rap songs such as "Freek-a-Leek" and "Candy Shop" are pro-consent.[9] Hip-hop feminism, a sub-set of black feminism, advocates for a better balance in gender interactions in hip hop culture while still appreciating hip hop music.[10][11]