Ashley Judd Calls Hip Hop "Rape Culture," The Roots' ?uestlove Responds

The prolific actress slams Snoop Dogg and Diddy, calling Rap music misogynistic, while ?uestlove defends the genre, claiming that Hip Hop is unfairly targeted.

In her new book, All That is Bitter, and Sweet, actress Ashley Judd strongly questioned the use of particular rappers in public charity events used to bring awareness to important issues. She slammed the YouthAIDS organization and MTV's 'Staying Alive' concerts for inviting Snoop Dogg and Diddy to perform at their events.

"Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by Rap and Hip Hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message…um, who? Those names were a red flag."

She went on to state her opinion on Hip Hop culture, asserting that the genre promotes misogyny and violence against women.

"As far as I'm concerned, most Rap and Hip Hop music--with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho's'--is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny. I believe that the social construction of gender--the cultural beliefs and practices that divide the sexes and institutionalize and normalize the unequal treatment of girls and women, privilege the interest of boys and men, and, most nefariously, incessantly sexualize girls and women--is the root cause of poverty and suffering around the world."

Judd recently visited the Jimmy Fallon show to promote her book. The late night show, of course, features Hip Hop group The Roots as the house band. After her appearance, Roots drummer ?uestlove addressed Judd's comments via Twitter.

"hmmm. at least i got my answer as to why ash judd didn't give us so much as a nod on her last visit," he wrote on Monday. "im a criminal [sic]." He then went on to respond to fans' comments, saying that there is a disparity between coverage of negativity between Hip Hop and other genres of music. "EVERY genre of music has elements of violence. It speaks MORE volumes that in rap only a certain side gets promoted."

Judd is currently on tour promoting her book, which released on April 5.