Breaking The Narrative Series: Why We Need To Get Over Only One Female Rapper Being Hot At A Time

Breaking The Narrative Series: Go Sister, Soul Sister!

The idea that two women cannot dominate an industry, craft, or profession is a misconception that needs to be put to rest.

The extent to which this narrative is rooted into the mindset of women of color is detrimental to our sense of identity, sense of community, and overall progression as a collective.

While there’s an inexcusable lack of representation and equity across all industries, I’m tired of women from underrepresented groups recycling this toxic message as justification for tearing other women down.

Misunderstanding and Hip Hop

It seems as if the rap industry highlights the internalization of White, hetero-normative narratives (which completely reject Black people and their culture) every other week.

Let’s take a look at one of my favorite female rappers who is on the way to making herself a household name in American rap culture.

Megan Thee Stallion recently got into what should be seen as an “intense misunderstanding” with singer-songwriter and social media personality, Wolftyla.

What’s The Facts?

In May, Megan Thee Stallion felt strongly that Wolftyla insinuated she herself wrote majority (if not all) of the cheek-clapping record “Simon Says” off Thee Stallion’s debut album, Fever.

At the base of it, this petty argument began due to discontent with the semantics of Wolftyla’s social media posts, ego flares, and misperceptions. 

Wolftyla recorded the reference track, which was to be played for Megan Thee Stallion in efforts to sell her the beat – no one receives credit for reference tracks.

Wolftyla wrote the hook, which Megan Thee Stallion kept when the record was produced in addition to changing the beat and adding her own verses – any writing kept in the song gets credited to the writer.

It seems as if the country’s favorite Hot Girl was under the impression her long-time rap idol, Juicy J, wrote the hook while it also seems as if Wolftyla expected to receive public recognition for contributing to the hook of, “Simon Says”.

Two Truths and A Lie 

This honestly could have been put to rest if Juicy J had owned up to the fact he had nothing to do with hook.

Most important, this misunderstanding never would have taken place if both of these phenomenal Black women didn’t feel the need to highlight their talents by discrediting the other, which if we’re being honest here, was behavior only displayed by Megan.

She clearly felt the need to defend herself but to the wrong people. Women rappers constantly feel the need to prove their place in the industry, which is somehow always tied to the creation process of their lyrics.

While this does happen to male rappers occasionally, this only happens once they reach what seems to be an untouchable reign over the rap game – i.e. Drake vs. Meek Mill and Drake vs. Pusha T.

However, when a new female rap artist emerges onto the scene, her lyrical content is immediately picked apart.

While it’s disappointing to see Megan Thee Stallion discredit another female artist, she sees it as protecting her career and that’s how it came across. At the same time, it was a subconscious internalization of the idea that two women can’t contribute to work that is domineering despite the lack of malicious intent on her part.

This is supported in a recent interview she did in June with Joe Budden on his web series “Pull Up”.

During this interview, she not only defends Juicy J and expresses that she still believes he wrote the hook despite Wolftyla’s screenshots of her text thread with Juicy J’s manager, she also states that it’s fans who instigate most rap beef.

The Problem with Toxic Narratives

While no one but the parties involved can be blamed for the way in which the situation was handled, it should be noted that the public does interact with artists based on the same toxic narratives they too consume on a subconscious level.

Recently, Megan Thee Stallion received unwarranted criticism and disrespect from Barbz, Nicki Minaj’s fan base, because she listed Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, Eve and herself as the most iconic female rappers of all time.

The true question is, “how does Megan listing her most influential rappers equate to discrediting the artists she didn’t find influential in her decision to become a rapper?” i.e., Nicki Minaj.

However, not much is to be expected from a fan base who hasn’t seen much solidarity displayed by their queen since she was signed by Young Money in 2009. 

While Cardi was quickly climbing her way up the charts, it was apparent the two Queens of Rap were being pitted against each other, and not by fans but by those in the industry e.g., bloggers, producers, and entertainers.

As Cardi B became more popular, so did the question, “Cardi or Nicki?” as if it’s impossible to simultaneously enjoy the music of two dope female rap artists.

Nicki’s actions may have been due to the pressure she felt within the industry, from fans and even rap artists like Lil Yachty who all felt the need to choose sides.

However, it should be noted that it wasn’t until claims made by Remy Ma, Cardi B, and K. Michelle of Nicki’s attempts to sabotage their careers paired with the internet’s openness to these claims that we saw a women rap collaboration with Foxy Brown on Nicki’s latest album, Queen.

Breaking the Narrative of Misogyny

The saddest part of talented women being pitted against each other is that at the base of it is usually some trash guy or misogynistic bullshit.

When Jacquees initially came out and quickly became a successful R&B artist of his generation, the industry and R&B fanatics weren’t forced to choose between him and Trey Songz or him and Chris Brown.

We have rappers like Desiigna and Future who sound exactly alike; or artists such as Gunna and Young Thug where if either one of their songs came on in the club I wouldn’t be able to confidently tell you whose song was playing.

Not even artists whose music is indistinguishable from the rest are pushed into pointless feuds. 

The Kardashian Effect

This expands far beyond the entertainment industry and is seen across all areas of life. Throughout the entire Tristan Thompson scandal, the Kardashian’s were too eager to try to tear down Jordyn Woods, who had been a family friend for over a decade.

If Jordyn Woods is guilty of anything it is withholding the fact that Khloe’s man kissed her. However, while we’re on the topic of blame, Khloe should blame herself for choosing a known cheater as her life partner and expecting fidelity. 

Instead, we see the Kardashian’s attempt to diminish Woods’ character and discredit any success she has attained by vocalizing on national television that everything Jordyn has is owed to her “friendship” with Kylie Jenner.

Again, the main issue is the insinuation that two talented women can’t be in the industry together and independently attain success. Jordyn’s hard work is being diminished and devalued for the sake of putting Kylie’s on a pedestal.

To further highlight the promoted lack of unity between women, whenever this situation is discussed in the media it is almost always referred to as the “Jordyn Woods Scandal” instead of the “Tristan Thompson Scandal”.

Even with recent criticism Chris Brown is under fire for, for releasing a song which contained a lyric promoting colorism off his latest album, Indigo, we see a blatant lack of solidarity between beautiful women of color.

Instead, hurtful statuses calling outraged women “ugly hoes” or “hating bitches” are being posted by avid Chris Brown fans. Try commenting under a post expressing outrage by Chris Brown’s colorism and tell them you’re sorry someone made them feel as if they should be apologetic for how they were born.

Reach out to your competition and let them know you see them doing their thing, and not to let the talk cause them to blur the lines between their emotions and their work. 

Lift Every Voice and Sing!

Let the success of another woman of color be inspiring to you. Get next to her so that together you create a lane big enough for the both of you.

Create a space that doesn’t force women from underrepresented groups to fight over one spot because there are enough seats at the table for all of us.

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