The “20 vs 1 Rapper” YouTube Videos Need to End
Somebody had to say it.
20 Vs 1 Rapper: Nardo Wick/Youtube
If you’re tapped into the realm of social media, chances are you’ve stumbled across a series of IRL YouTube dating shows. These videos have been attracting lots of attention on Black Twitter (now known as X) and TikTok in recent months.
It’s hard to pinpoint who exactly started the trend, but King Cid’s “Smash Or Pass But Face To Face” videos seemed to ignite the flame. These videos were quite popular over the last two years, with editions popping up in cities like Atlanta, Orlando, and Houston. Even big-name content creators like Funny Mike and Terry Reloaded made appearances.
While the Smash or Pass wave might have calmed down a bit, new adaptations have emerged, with the most popular being the “20 WOMEN VS 1 RAPPER” videos.
You can’t escape these vids, whether clipped parts are popping up on your TikTok FYP or they’re getting suggested on your Youtube homepage. But if you’ve ever caught one, you know the deal: one rapper, 20 women (sometimes more), and a rapid-fire dating scenario where the goal is to find a match (spoiler: most rappers end up choosing more than one woman anyway).
There’s no denying the widespread popularity of these videos across social media, but their appeal is problematic. Misogynoir and over-sexualization seem to be the driving forces behind each video's viral success.
The controversy lies in each video’s portrayal of Black women, who are often depicted in a sexualized manner, dressed provocatively, and judged based on their sexual allure, essentially turning the content into a hookup match show. Take Nardo Wick’s “50 WOMEN VS 1 RAPPER” video, for instance, where in round two, selected women had to ask a single question to Nardo Wick to determine their compatibility. One contestant asked, “If you was to fuck me, you giving me backshots or you doing missionary?”
It seems like the only way for these women to stand out is by showcasing their sexual appeal.
Now, I’m sure the intention of these videos is purely for entertainment purposes, but the impact is still harmful. When YouTube creators show Black women in such a light, they perpetuate the negative stereotypes mainstream media has propagated for years.
But what is a Black woman if she isn’t being commodified? In music videos, film, and television, Black women are more sexualized and objectified than their white and other POC counterparts. The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Love and Hip-Hop are prime examples of the mainstream media’s failure to accurately represent Black women.
In both of these reality series, viewers are always arguing and fighting, which overshadows the emotional and intellectual depth of the women involved. While conflict in reality television is expected, these shows disproportionately focus on drama within Black female communities, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
Similar to these TV shows, the “20 WOMEN VS 1 RAPPER” YouTube videos provide a distorted view of contemporary young Black adult culture.
As new videos continue to be uploaded by multiple content creators, it’s important to recognize the deeper implications of these videos. Beyond just the surface issues of misogynoir and over-sexualization, these videos showcase some perplexing views of young Black adult culture.
For example, the common question posed in these videos: 'Would you rather date a loyal broke n*igga or a cheater with money?' Shockingly, many women choose the latter, demonstrating a disturbing prioritization of wealth over integrity.
Circling back to the Nardo Wick video, a woman labeled him as “boring” simply because he didn't drink or partake in drugs, suggesting that substance use is the only way to have fun as a young adult.
As Black viewers, it’s our job to look critically at the way media represents our community, even when it features some of our favorite rappers. So the next time you tune into a “20 WOMEN VS 1 RAPPER” video ask yourself: Is this the way I want people to think about my culture?
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