"BitchSlut" is a song by the American singer Anna Wise. It was released as her second single on March 7, 2016 (the day before International Women's Day), and appears on her debut EP The Feminine: Act I.[1][2][3] The song (which has a music video) is a feminist anthem inspired by an experience Wise had with sexual harassment in her youth. "BitchSlut" appeared on some best-of lists and was preceded by the single "Precious Possession" and followed by the single "Coconuts".[4][5]
| "BitchSlut" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Anna Wise | ||||
| from the EP The Feminine: Act I | ||||
| Released | March 7, 2016 | |||
| Genre | Pop rap[1] | |||
| Length | 2:26 | |||
| Label | N/A | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Anna Wise | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Anna Wise singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "BitchSlut" on YouTube | ||||
Background and content
editAccording to Wise, the inspiration for the song stems from an altercation she had when she was eleven years old. A car of older men approached her and verbally sexually harassed her, which she responded to by giving the finger. She later cried; Wise dedicates "BitchSlut" to her younger self.[6][7]
"BitchSlut" is a feminist anthem about sexism.[8] She opens the song with a line HuffPost described as a "powerful (and entirely accurate)" message about women feeling underpowered.[9] The track then takes the form of a list of stereotypes, with Wise criticizing each one.[10] The song's production has been described as "infectious" and "post-Dilla", with "floating synths and booming drum breaks".[8][11][12] Some journalists consider the vocals to be part rap, part singing, and their style to be jagged and glossy.[12][10][13]
Wise described the track as a "clear ... declaration of freedom" about the double standards she believes men expect of women, with the chorus "I, I know what kind you are / If I say no, I’m a bitch / Say yes, I’m a slut" manifesting this meaning.[8][14] The refrain transition has been compared to the style of the American rock band Dirty Projectors.[15] She also said that she wanted to talk about herself because of her gender, calling it "kind of selfish".[2] The song takes part in the feminist discussion of altering the contexts of the insults bitch and slut to positively reappropriate them.[10]
Critical reception
editTess Koman of Cosmopolitan called "BitchSlut" "lovely, uplifting, [and] head-bopping".[16] Paul Demerritt of Creative Loafing believed the single was "standout" on its EP.[13] Teresa Jusino of The Mary Sue noted the single's replayability, saying it "will be the next track you can't stop listening to".[8] Jenavieve Hatch of HuffPost hoped it would become the song of the summer, with Spin calling the song's refrain the "most casually patriarchy-dismantling" of 2016.[9][17]
"BitchSlut" was listed as one of the best songs of the week by Stereogum and Consequence.[14][15] It also made year-end lists, including Shawn Setaro of Complex's ten favorite songs of the year and "The 50 Best Protest Songs of 2016" by The Village Voice.[18][19]
Music video
editThe song was released alongside a homemade music video, in which Wise features as the lone actor, wearing sunglasses.[2][10][16] Throughout the video, she appears in various settings, including a bedroom, in a swimming pool, in a bathtub, and in the outdoors.[20] The video was directed by Wise and filmed by Patti Miller.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Kaye, Ben (March 7, 2016). "Kendrick Lamar Collaborator Anna Wise Premieres New Song "BitchSlut" — Listen". Consequence. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c Niles, Jon (March 8, 2016). "Kendrick Lamar 'These Walls' Singer Anna Wise Shares Solo Song 'BitchSlut' Music Video". Music Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Niles, Jon (May 4, 2016). "Kendrick Lamar "These Walls" Singer Anna Wise 'The Feminine: Act I' Full EP Stream [LISTEN]". Music Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Gonik, Michael. "Hear Anna Wise's Hypnotizing Solo Single "Precious Possession"". Okayplayer. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Rettig, James (February 3, 2017). "Anna Wise – "Coconuts" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Duca, Lauren (March 23, 2016). "Talking to Patriarchy-Smashing Musician Anna Wise". Nylon. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Starling, Lakin (April 27, 2016). "Anna Wise Declares The Power In Womanhood On Feminine: Act I". The Fader. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Jusino, Teresa (March 11, 2016). "Anna Wise Anthem BitchSlut Will Give You Life". The Mary Sue. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Hatch, Jenavieve (March 11, 2016). "Allow This Feminist Anthem To Sum Up The BS Women Deal With Every Day". HuffPost. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Rettig, James (March 7, 2016). "Anna Wise – "BitchSlut" (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Gonik, Michael. "Anna Wise Delivers A Feminist Anthem For 2016 w/ Poignant New Single - Okayplayer". Okayplayer. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Andrews-Duve, Myles (April 13, 2016). "Under the Radar". Gale. UWIRE Text. ULOOP Inc. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Demerritt, Paul (July 12, 2016). "Anna Wise speaks out". Creative Loafing. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "The 5 Best Songs Of The Week". Stereogum. March 11, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "Top 10 Songs of the Week (3/11)". Consequence. March 11, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Koman, Tess (March 11, 2016). "Prepare to Be Obsessed With "BitchSlut," a Song that Perfectly Captures Pressures Women Face". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ D.W. (July 15, 2016). "SPIN Overlooked Albums Report: The Goon Sax and Let's Eat Grandma are Teenagers of the Year". Spin. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ "The Complex Staff Lists Their Favorite Songs and Albums of 2016". Complex. December 21, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Village Voice staff (December 21, 2016). "The 50 Best Protest Songs of 2016". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Wise, Anna (March 7, 2016). "Anna Wise - BitchSlut". YouTube. Retrieved June 26, 2024.