This interview has sparked debate and controversy on social media. Cardi B, who is a former stripper, spoke out on Instagram Live, and while she did “understand what Jermaine is saying” she highlighted herself and other female rappers who consistently put out inspiring and impactful music.
Cardi B, who is a former stripper, spoke out on Instagram Live, and while she did “understand what Jermaine is saying” she highlighted herself and other female rappers who consistently put out inspiring and impactful music.
For example, breakout artist, Megan Thee Stallion opens her song “Cash S**t” by saying, “Yeah I’m in my bag, but I’m in his too.” With this, she sets the tone for what she raps about. Megan discusses her access to money due to her successful career, but she raises the point that she also allows her boyfriend to treat her and to support her financially.
Rapper and hip-hop artist Lizzo opens her hit song “Truth Hurts” by saying that she is “100% that b**ch.” Listeners know immediately that Lizzo has reclaimed a previously derogatory term to uplift herself and other women.
Billboard’s “Hot 100” includes songs from female artists, including Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Billie Eilish. Locally, female teens are primarily listening to Beyoncé, followed by Billie Eilish, and Lizzo. These findings are according to a Survey Monkey poll of 50 teen girls in the Atlanta area.
As multiple data sources show, more and more women are being considered mainstream and popular, and it’s affecting Atlanta teen girls. Myleena Ebron, a 16 year-old student at Lake Highlands High School, Isley Chapman, 16, and Zoe Edwards, 13, who both attend Peachtree Ridge High School, all shared their feelings about seeing female artists like Nicki Minaj, City Girls, Rico Nasty, and other prominent artists in the limelight.
“I feel empowered,” said Chapman, while both of the other girls agreed.
It was very important for them to see their favorite female artists being listened to by both males and females alike. According to them, artists like Lizzo, City Girls, and other sex-positive, body-positive artists “normalize being a sexual woman.”
Kyra Rogers, 16, who listens to Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish, and Megan Thee Stallion, brings up the issue of a double standard between men and women.
“When women talk about who they sleep with, it’s a problem, but when male artists do, people relate,” said Rogers who attends Chatham Hall.
She says that lyrics with explicit content don’t really affect her. Her main focus is her mood at the time of listening.
“Whatever makes me feel good is what I listen to, “ she says.
Rogers also mentioned her “playlist full of girl power music.” It really inspired her to see the female artists in her playlist to be considered popular. “It makes me feel like I can do it too,” she says. Rogers enjoys singing, and seeing her favorite artists in the spotlight really makes her aware of her power. Kyra is not alone in her feelings of inspiration.
“It makes me feel proud,” says Edwards, 13. “Like I can talk about this because I have the choice.”
Based on input from Atlanta teen girls and music charts from Billboard and Spotify, the popular female artists are really making an impact, no matter the genre. The previously mentioned poll taken by 50 Atlanta teen girls showed that teens listened to a multitude of female artists ranging from Billie Eilish’s “idontwannabeyouanymore” to Nicki Minaj’s “Megatron.”
Attached below is a link to a Spotify playlist full of female artists from all genres in case you want to know what’s popular now along with some older classics.
Regardless of the recent negativity brought to females in music, the artists are continuing to put out songs highlighting various issues and teen listeners are continuing to stream it and support them.
Story by Lexi Rogers, VOX Media Cafe Reporter
