Megan Thee Stallion

 

Megan Pete, publicly known as Megan thee Stallion is a 25 year old African American female rapper. Within the last few years Megan has become popular in many adolescents' lives, through her music, influences and topics she decides to speak about, and influencing attitudes towards themselves and others. As a female rapper it hasn’t been entirely easy for her to be where she is at now, because for one the industry is male dominated. Therefore in male dominated led industries, oftentimes women are underestimated, but she’s proven her dedication to her career to be where she is now. Secondly, because there are a few female rappers/ artists specifically African American female artists, society oftentimes begins to compare and sort of encourage competition. An example of that was the constant comparisons and negative comments towards Nicki Minaj to Cardi B or Beyonce for her appearance. 

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As a woman in society striving into places that was originally “meant” to be for women is always a challenge taken on that comes with many barriers.  Nor as a female rapper and an African American identified woman has it been entirely easy for her to be where she is at now, because for one the industry is male dominated. Therefore in male dominated led industries, oftentimes women are underestimated, but she’s proven her dedication to her career to be where she is now. Secondly, because there are a few female rappers/ artists specifically African American female artists, society oftentimes begins to compare and sort of encourage competition. An example of that was the constant comparisons and negative comments towards Nicki Minaj to Cardi B or Beyonce for her appearance. 

Culture/ Social Activism:

Not only does Megan use her platform to promote her music, but she’s also used her concerts/ performances to speak on social justice issues happening in the United States. I think these are important for her as a person, and how she identifies, and her physical appearance- as being an African American woman. On October 3, 2020 Megan thee Stallion performed on the Saturday Night Live’s show, but it wasn’t any regular performance -- it was one that would stick with her career forever, and demonstrated to her fans, while also targeting racist America against police brutality, and mistreatment of African American women. She was specifically speaking out on the recent killing of Breonna Taylor, who was murdered while sleeping in her home by Louisville Police officers, and was upset about how there was still no justice, her killer was still out there without being charged. In the background of her performance it was a background with words stating “Daniel Cameron is no Different,” as I interpret no different than racist America, because he is the Kentucky Attorney that is handling Taylor’s case. According to the article Column: Megan Thee Stallion transformed on ‘SNL’ from raunchy rapper to social activist Dahleen Glanton (2020) further discusses Stallion’s performance and powerful speech to the public. Megan said:

 “We need to protect our Black women and love our Black women, because at the end of the day we need our women… We need to protect our Black men and stand by our Black men because at the end of the day, we’re tired of seeing hashtags about Black men.”

This was in direct response to the constant oppression, discrimination, and direct police brutality that African Americans face in their day to day lives, and experience the cycles of police intimidation, discrimination, and violence. I think not only does this correlate to her directly, but also correlates with her music in the sense that she directly cares about herself and is looking for ways to uplift herself. I think her speaking out on police brutality, and the mistreatment of African American women is very significant in the time we are in. As there’s been a huge step from the Black Lives Matter movement after George Flyod’s killing, where it was a huge hit that people across the whole country were protesting against the brutal killing for his death and the repeated history of killing of black people through excessive force. A lot of people in society also took it to social media, being in community with each other, by sharing resources of where to donate, how to electronically sign petitions, and information for protestors if they were arrested. So as Megan being a famous African American women being willing to speak out on this through her performance is very significant, it tells her fans what she believes and is using the power of being famous to send her message across because as she says it’s not only an issue about black men but it’s also protecting black women at all costs. 

- Alexia Miranda