Strip Club Music-Rap Ban?
In a post this week one of TVO’s favorite Instagram sites, TheDancersResource, showed their readers a wall sign from an unnamed strip club. The sign was a final warning to the DJs and club staff to refrain from playing rap music. In no uncertain terms ….
“EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATLEY! NO RATCHET RAP SONGS! YOU MUST PLAY 2 CLASSIC ROCK FOLLOWED BY 2 MAIN-STREAM SONGS! NO GHETTO RAP ASS SONGS! 1ST AND FINAL WARNING!!!!!
“Ratchet” is a slang term in hip hop. It’s a derogatory term used to refer to a slutty woman. It is from a Louisianan dialect form of the word “wretched.”
The Instagram site is primarily used by dancers. The reaction to the club sign was swift and forceful. Most dancers cited it as an example of a racist club with bigoted managers. They were almost uniform in their condemnation and said it was how the club was trying to chase away black customers, and dancers. They are probably right on the club’s motive.
TVO replied to the post with a simple point. “The club should play what the customers want to hear.” It’s a private business and they get to decide the atmosphere and environment they want. Laws of public accommodations notwithstanding, if a club wants to have an urban vibe, or a rock vibe, or a country vibe … that’s up to management and ownership.
What music do you like in a strip club?

Top 25 Strip Club Songs
Recently, the writer Erica Allen offered the following Top 25 Strip Club Songs
“Hot in Here” Nelly 2002
“Girls, Girls, Girls” Motley Crew 1987
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” Def Leppard 1987
“Closer” Nine Inch Nails 1994
“Milkshake” Kellis 2003
“You Shook Me All Night Long” AC/DC 1980
“River” Bishop Brigs 2016
“I Kissed a Girl” Katy Perry 2008
“Welcome to the Jungle” Gun ‘n’ Roses 1987
“I Luv Dem Strippers” 2 Chainz & Nicki Manaj 2012
“I Just Wanna Love You (Give It 2 Me) Jay-Z 2000
“West Coast” Lana Del Rey 2014
“Rocket” Beyonce 2013
“Wild Thing” Tone Loc 1988
“Poison” Bel Biv Devoe 1990
“Simply Irresistible” Robert Palmer 1988
“Freak Like Me” Adina Howard 1995
“Like a Virgin” Madonna 1984
“Movement” Hozier 2018
“S&M” Rihanna 2010
“Cradle of Love” Billy Idol 1990
“Feel Good” Chet Baker 2020
“Cherry Pie” Warrant 1990
“Baby Got Back” Sir Mix-A-Lot 1992
“Drop It Like It’s Hot” Snoop Dogg 2004
Several final thoughts from TVO.
I found it interesting that the oldest song on the list was 1984, “Like a Virgin” by Madonna. That would mean that if the average guy was 16 when Madonna’s single was a hit song. That same patron is 55 now. Hmmm …. that’s not exactly old man music. All the other songs on the list puts the patrons in their 40’s or 30’s. Since the average dancer is probably 22 …. there is little wonder that there is a disconnect among the stakeholders.
Erica Allen’s Top 25 is a pretty fantastic list. The songs cut a wide range of styles and eras. There is room to operate. I would say the club sign’s phrase “mainstream” probably includes everything on this list.
If a club owner wants to please dancers more than the customers. that club will close soon. I don’t pretend to know enough about “urban” clubs. If the owner wants that to be his market … don’t come to me for advice. I can’t help you.
My solution … more DJs that are my age and lived my life!
TVO’s Top 5 Strip Club Songs
5. “Hot in Here” Nelly 2002
4. “Freak Like Me” Adina Howard 1995
3.”S&M” Rihanna 2010
2.”You Shook Me All Night Long” AC/DC 1980
1.”Girls, Girls, Girls” Motley Crew 1987
Author’s Postscript: After filing this article I happen to hear the Allman Brothers’ classic, “Tied to the Whippin’ Post.” Put that at the top of my list!

The End