WAP: Women are Powerful - How Black Female Hip-Hop Artists are Changing Female Liberation

Image Courtesy: Pinterest

You can play very few songs in any setting that will rouse everyone to sing along. Even fewer songs excite and inspire women so much as to scream the lyrics at the top of their lungs no matter where they are. Throughout its history, men have dominated music – popular songs written by men, sung by men, performed by men, or female artists with music revolving around men. However, the script has flipped; more female artists are making music dominating radio and streaming channels. Women are praised for their lyrical prowess, and the narrative surrounding what they talk about has wholly changed. Women assert themselves as equal to men, as powerful as men, and sometimes even above men. While the concept of “girl power” anthems is no new subject, a specific group of women is changing what they look like: black female rap and r&b artists. 

Female empowerment, whether that be regarding equality or sexuality, has a long history in this genre of music and this specific group of women. Infamous r&b/soul trio Salt-N-Pepa, most prominent in the 1990s, is known to be a trailblazer for female liberation and promoting healthy discussions about confidence, expression, and even intercourse. One of their most popular anthems, “Let’s Talk About Sex,” allowed women to feel comfortable acknowledging their physical desires and encouraged them to put their sexual gratification above men. They assured women that having these desires is entirely human, and embracing them is also human. 

There are numerous attributes that the music of today's most famous black female rap/r&b artists have in common. Incredible women like Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Saweetie, Flo Milli, and more are entirely transforming female liberation, equality, sexuality, and body standards, and how women respond to mistreatment and criticism. Recall Doja Cat’s smash hit, “Ain’t Sh*t.” In the song, Doja Cat fearlessly reminds women everywhere that disrespectful behavior from anyone is unacceptable and that they are worth more than their presumed roles. Towards the end of the song, after she stresses how a man took advantage of her assets, she iconically screams: 

“I’m not your mommy, *****,

Find a new hobby, *****, 

Return, yo ‘fore I get picked up, your s**t’s in the lobby, *****

I’m not gon’ key your car, I’ll call your f***in’ mom, 

You should have paid my rent, go get a f***in’ job!”

Doja Cat articulates a concept many women understand. There’s always been an expectation of being servants and subservient to men; to be nurturing, submissive, and provide for others. But she knows that she is as autonomous as any man and should be treated as such. Why can’t he be nurturing and pay her rent? She isn’t his mother and isn’t responsible for taking care of him and his baggage. 

I cannot tell you how many times I have been in a room where that song was playing, and every woman in the room screamed that line as loud as they could bear, including myself. 

But why? There are many possible explanations for why women can so closely identify and relate to these artists. As a woman myself, I still feel as if I’m held to the expectation to be feminine, nurturing, and give myself to my “womanly duty.” I’m always asked by my family when I’m going to get a boyfriend. I get into arguments with my family about whether or not it is selfish to have a career and raise children simultaneously (a lot of women in my family would say yes, and if you want to have a job, don’t have children). According to many women, I have to know how to cook, clean, do laundry, and be the perfect host. Despite the progressions women have made, there is still so much work to be done. I think most women would agree that we feel as though we need to take care of everyone; our partners, our future or current children, and everyone else but ourselves, unless it’s to attract someone else. 

A myriad of women have written liberated female anthems, and they’ve done it well. However, something about what this specific group of women have done hasn’t been done before. Black hip-hop female artists, much like many of the incredible black women I am grateful to know and love in my own life, are fearless and never fail to articulate what’s on their minds. They consistently remind women of their worth, power, strength, and how they should be treated not only by men, but everyone. 

Throughout history, women were taught to be passive; they were discouraged from being too loud, honest, opinionated, or secure. They were taught to be submissive, ordinary, and pure. In the past, I believe society molded women to be sheltered and to act a certain way to keep them in line and do what they were “supposed” to do. Despite these restrictions, these artists have set a new precedent for how women should assert themselves when facing unrealistic standards and adversity. 

Women don’t only face ridicule from men. They also face criticism from other women who prefer to act within a specific anti-feminist boundary. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion addresses this very idea in her hit song, “Girls from the Hood,” when she says:

“F**k bein’ good, I’m a bad a b*itch

I’m sick of motherf**kers tryna tell me how to live (F**k y’all)

Wack hoes hate under my pictures on the ‘Gram…”

Often women are their own worst enemy. It is no secret that women will tear each other down to assert their dominance. Women that are “overly sexual” on social media, opinionated, and self-assured are sometimes threats and appear “un-ladylike.” Some claim it’s inappropriate; others know it’s based on the expression of certainty and true womanhood. 

Black women have faced more unfair condemnation than almost anyone. Throughout history, they have been demoralized for the same qualities that make them spectacular simply because others were threatened by their power and security. However, these artists comprehend that this disapproval stems from an area of timidity and meekness. While some non-black women attempt to break free of the molds of these calibers, others will do anything to keep women in their “rightful place”. Women are discouraged from embracing their sexuality, femininity, or anything that allows them to tap into their purpose. These artists know that feeling too well and are courageous enough to empower other women to ignore those attempting to dismantle their purpose.

I could go on and on about all of the positive topics these women promote in their music. Body positivity is one of them, especially in Lizzo’s music. It’s all about feeling sexy in your skin, no matter what that looks like, for yourself and not for any prospective romantic partners. 

These are only a few of the reasons why these artists are some of my biggest idols. Their music not only inspires me to assert myself and be more confident, but also to always stand by women for being authentically themselves, no matter what that looks like. I could truly go on and on.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I would like to thank all of the women who have motivated others to blaze their own trail and the inspiring black women who have taught me the most important lessons as a result of their courage. Thank you for changing my life.

Strike Out, 

Writer: Ellie Dover

Editor: Ridha Islam

Athens