Hip-hop has evolved from the streets of New York in the '70s to become the most popular music genre today, but it hasn't always been "evolved" in representing women. It's often singled out as being harmful or degrading to women. 

A recent study from Georgia State University looked at political rap music's influence on black feminist attitudes. The results may surprise you.

"On Second Thought" for Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019.

"On Second Thought" host Virginia Prescott spoke with the co-authors of the study, Lakeyta Bonnette-Bailey and Nadia Brown. Bonnette-Bailey is a political science associate professor at Georgia State University. She said she examined the intersection between hip-hop as a misogynistic purveyor of sexism and chauvinism and as a cultural and generational art form that encourages activism. 

Brown is a political science and African-American studies associate professor at Purdue University. She's also author of "Sisters in the Statehouse: Black Women and Legislative Decision Making" and "Distinct Identities: Minority Women in U.S. Politics."

The folk-pop duo Lily & Madeleine are touring the country with their fourth album, "Canterbury Girls." They're a family duo, too – Lily and Madeleine Jurkiewicz are sisters – and they performed Tuesday at Eddie's Attic in Decatur.

Before continuing on their tour to Louisville, KY, the singer-songwriters stopped by "On Second Thought" for a conversation about finding their sound, leaving home and taking care of themselves – and one other – as they move up through the world and the music industry. 

Hari Kondabolu is a comedian, writer and podcaster based in Brooklyn, New York. He has performed on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Conan," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and more. He's a regular guest on NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!," and he released his first Netflix comedy special, called "Warn Your Relatives," last year.

In that stand-up special, Kondabolu jokes about serious topics like politics, religion, racial prejudice and white guilt, which, he says, means his comedy may not be for everybody. He joined "On Second Thought" to talk about touring with his political material, the importance of diversity in comedy and the difference between being funny for a private and public audience.

This week, Kondabolu will be performing two shows here in Georgia. The first will take place at Center Stage in Atlanta on Friday, March 1. The second will be at the 40 Watt Club in Athens on Saturday, March 2.

 

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