Say My Name

In director Nirit Peled's Say My Name, women hip-hop and rap performers—pioneers of the genre and emerging stars—talk about how their careers started, inspirations for their music, the status of women in the hip-hop industry, and music's impact on society. Most of the artists are filmed in the neighborhoods in which they began their careers (and several still live), where they also recount experiences with teenage pregnancy and motherhood, domestic violence, and poverty. Peled draws on archival performance footage and also elicits impromptu “freestyle” rapping from artists including Chocolate Thai, Sparky Dee, Monie Love, Erykah Badu, Estelle, GTA Crew, Jean Grae, Mystic, Remy Ma, and Rah Digga, among others (MC Lyte is shown rapping in a club, after politely informing the filmmakers that she does not perform for free). Say My Name features impressive talents who powerfully convey how their music encompasses individual artistic expression, a means of communication and community with younger women, and a force for social change. The film touches only briefly on highly sexualized portrayals of women in hip-hop videos, but Peled's subjects speak and rap frankly about sexuality. Sure to be of interest to a wide range of audiences—from cultural studies students to hip-hop music fans—this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)