People Got Real Mad About “WAP” At The Grammys
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s performance received more than 1000 complaints.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has received many a complaint over the years. Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime performance in 2016 prompted 47 pages of complaints from viewers, but this number is nothing compared to the number of complaints received after Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s performance of their song “WAP” at the Grammys. The FCC was bombarded with over 1000 complaints about the duo, much of which included slut-shaming and derogatory comments.
The song “WAP” garnered its initial bout of attention because of its discussion of female empowerment, agency in sexuality, and its namesake. After a year in lockdown where people could only dream of going out and shaking their sugar to a live rendition of the song, the globe was gagging for an excuse to see Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion explain hot girl summer to us, live. Their Grammy’s performance was therefore more than anticipated, and they really didn’t disappoint. Twerking, pole dancing and some scandalous shapes were thrown which served as antidote to our long-starved anticipation of the performance.
However, following the performance, the flood gates opened, and the stream of complaints cascaded in. Some likened the performance to “pornography”, whilst others just sent in verbal abuse calling Cardi and Megan “sluts” and “disgusting”. If you want to read some of the complaints in full they are below.
“I wish to file a formal complaint against the televised grammy awards 2021. Although I did not watch the entire event, I just happened to tune in just to see if the mc’s, performers, etc. are still spewing any off colored and/or political jokes and I just happened switch my channel and was stunned to see the Cardi B/Megan, etc. etc. etc. display. This is really something for women (note: This is Women in History Month) and girls to aspire to. You have got to be kidding me. This was a disgusting display of nothing more than sluts being sluts. Is this going to continue? If so, I certainly want to know who to contact to file a lawsuit against the performers, the network, and any and all persons, corporations, etc who either directly or indirectly participated in this display of pornography. If you do not do anything about this, I will need to seek legal advice regarding any action I may take against you.” [SIC]
“I felt violated with Meghan Stallion & Cardi B’s performance. I am pro sex-positivity abnd body positivity but this performance crossed the line into pornography. Many kids still awake at that time, and even non-consenting adults were unexpectedly staring at pure objectification of women at its finest. Not to mention Trevor Noah’s drooling, sweating, screaming wrap up like he was at a strip club. I am a massage therapist with deep respect for the human body who found myself crying myself to sleep wondering how this could be allowed on television. And how far this will go next year and the years after that. Art and objectification are opposite sides of the coin. Objectification perpetuates violence against women, maintaining the ripple effect that causes domestic violence, human trafficking, encouraging the consumption of women and then the disposal of them. I’ve watched the Grammys every year since I was 5 years old. It gave me something to strive for as a musician. As a female, I will never again view this program due to the allowance of this performance. since 1980″ [SIC]
In conversation with i-D Cardi B spoke out about the negative reaction to the song’s music video and said: “Some of these men are uncomfortable, they’re not even comfortable being sensual. Maybe you’re conservative, but everybody got a little freak inside them, you know? Every single person. Everybody gets horny, everybody gets a little tingle down there, you know what I’m saying. Just embrace it. Don’t be scared about it.”
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