black women, vulnerability & megan thee stallion

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[@Yharazayd]

whoopsy daisy, forgot to mention the playlist. just gonna leave this here buh bye open.spotify.com/playlist/6B7sLNwPEhTcUO00dv7n4c?si=cdb7898pRiOeW0A6PxGHfA&pi=u-XXOCYVsQQvWs

[@anelesiguqa]

[@lenora-yoder]

lol i literally scrolled down here to ask for a playlist of ur recs, thank you!

[@spacemanjames855]

Mfs always say "mad black woman" but you ever think maybe you gave her a reason to be mad?

[@autumxxleaves4186]

BINGOOOO

[@theehobgoblin]

Solange DID say the girls dem had a lot to be mad about. These mfrs don't listen or think about that

[@vm1ccc]

Right

[@ryanfitzgerald9833]

Correct... but after the tyler perry film I oddly have only heard ANGRY but never mad anymore like his bad movie made a racial stereotype uncool...

[@MMU_U]

I'm not black but that's the first thing that came to my mind, I mean if people say someone looks intimidating while trying to stand for themselfs, I just think, I mean of course, that's the whole point, rage is there for a reason It has a aim, volutionarily, humans conserve it because it helps us defend ourselves,Why wouldn't you want a black woman to get angry? It's because you dont want to acknowledge she's right?

[@longlivebeans]

Another thing that bothers me is everyone will whine all day about how female rappers only rap about sex & money yet here comes Megan with an album literally called TRAUMAzine & these bums pay it dust. Isn’t this what y’all wanted? I don’t get it.

[@quirkyblackenby]

They actually just don’t want female rappers to exist at all

[@khadyadjisall5708]

@@quirkyblackenbynot not totally true, these songs are not as pushed as the others. Tupac made songs about mental health, but most people only know his biggest hits about gang violence and having money.

[@yoursalwaysliyah]

@@khadyadjisall5708that can only help their point because its only pointed out as something bad for women when thats just how many rappers popular songs are. meaning people are making up a reason why they don’t like women rappers when they should be talking about all music. you are totally right tho most songs that are pushed are the ones that don’t talk about mental health. the main media tends to prioritize catchy songs.

[@frenchgirl5878]

Exactly. It’s not that there are only female rappers talking about sex, it’s the fact that they are what people are pushing on a mainstream level. Why are there a lot of female rapper who rap about coochie? BEcause the law of demand and offer it’s not that difficult. These butches out here complaining as if they’re not the ones reinforcing that shit. Fuck outta here.

[@Creampuf1977]

​@@yoursalwaysliyahRap in general is criticized for being about sex, drugs and money yet the same critics ignore rap songs that aren't about those things, is the point. White musicians regardless of gender find more success in expressing their emotions or writing about uncomfortable or explicit topics (ex. Eminem, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, 99% of boy or punk bands). I think it has more to do with racism than misogyny in that this kind of problem is not exclusive to black women although they definitely get the brunt of it.

[@kaloveshoran]

i literally saw someone tweet “how am i supposed to side with someone who raps about being depressed” like that’s crazy

[@mirai5451]

I think it's safe to assume that this person doesn't believe in therapy too

[@Emma-xz8fo]

If they were saying that in reference to siding with Nicki then that’s bizarre… cus Nicki also raps about depression. Like helloooo Pinkprint???

[@kaloveshoran]

@@Emma-xz8fo her fans literally said meg couldn’t rap. they’re delusional. it’s all bizarre

[@SideEyeee_]

@@Emma-xz8fonah we don’t care about nicki or her albums

[@codysmith3853]

The idea that black people don't experience pain still floors me HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ANYONE

[@Ray03595]

Remnants of the justification of the transatlantic slave trade. We don’t feel pain, don’t have complex emotions. We are bred for labor.

[@jaykay1899]

I don’t think any normal person thinks that way

[@chacharose9467]

@@jaykay1899you’re right it’s not normal it’s racist ❤

[@milkflys]

⁠​⁠@@jaykay1899you'd be suprised how common this belief is. 40% of first and second year medical students believe black people have thicker skin (and thus higher pain tolerance)

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

It’s even more crazy when you realize that this bias is still prevalent in the medical field

[@emclaire7027]

Traumazine was actually what really got me into Megan’s music. It was such a powerful and moving album, and her new one is shaping up to be just as good if not better. Cobra immediately flew to the top of my streaming stats the month it came out, and (regardless of Nicki Minaj being insane) Hiss is one of the hardest tracks that’s dropped in a while. I can only hope Megan thrives this year after everything

[@MaryAX]

Same. I've been a fan for a minute but Traumazine got me hooked. Meg took a chance to be vulnerable and it spoke to our souls in a different way. Shocking how that didn't "conventionally" hit, when she cried on SNL I did too. Megan is authentic in an otherworldly way.

[@selalewis9189]

The Notorious B.I.G’.s entire album “Ready To Die” is a classic album. But it’s really about the stress, anxiety, paranoia, fear, and depression that comes with being a low-level drug dealer and doing what you gotta do to escape poverty. Because the album has a couple of mainstream hits (Juicy, Big Poppa) and the overall amazing production, it’s easy to forget the underlying feeling when you listen to the album.

[@idontwannahostthisshownomore]

this is why when men talk abt hiphop "dying" i just laugh lol like you should listen to more women is all that tells me

[@burbujas4448]

It's funny because my bf absolutely refused to listen to any new age male rappers and would always say that rap is dying, it ain't what it used to be, etc.. But then I started playing Baby tate, Flo Milli, and Megan whenever I'd drive us somewhere and he started bumping to them 😂😂 He was so shocked he was like "wow these girls can rap" now he's asking ME to play "Slut him out" by baby tate when we're in the car 😂😂

[@lavonnealexander6936]

@@burbujas4448not slut him out 😂😂😂

[@cecizilla]

while i’m not black, i’m so grateful to meg and her music because she’s gotten me through so much. i’m so happy that she’s FINALLY getting the respect she deserves after all the disgusting, vile treatment done to her. i hope this turning point will keep this momentum for the rest of her career. cobra also really changed my life too!! that spiritbox remix goes so hard holy shit. it goes without saying too that hiss is a game changer as well, that’s been on repeat nonstop.

[@anelesiguqa]

fascinating

[@chickensalad3535]

How?​@@anelesiguqa

[@marthashepherd935]

Hiss🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@trevos6399]

What these mfs actually want is for black women to stop rapping. so that's were this catch 22 bs comes in

[@susannahs8533]

People complaining that they want another Body or Savage or WAP remind me of that Tyler the creator tweet where someone said they missed his old music and he said "why do you miss it? It’s still there. It’s available. Or are you on punishment?"

[@roxassora2706]

2 good things can exist. Why is expressing emotions so demonized?

[@Demthorshie]

Society has a problem with conceptualizing BW's pain and emotions. We're expected to always be in a good mood and be the social butterfly in the room, otherwise we're perceived as having a bad attitude or are unfriendly. It's very inhumane. I've been accused of being mean or having an attitude just for having a neutral face. I really appreciate Meg for being a BW who expresses her emotions so publicly, even when she gets backlash for it.

[@nya55155]

this reminds me about azealia banks. she’s been robbed, humiliated and blackmailed by men in the industry yet everyone expects her to be quiet and “take her meds” and “go to therapy” like what..

[@Demthorshie]

@@nya55155 I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed this. Azealia Banks was vilified horribly by everyone for expressing her pain. She's said some off the cuff stuff before, but so have most celebs. They didn't get nearly the backlash that Azealia got though.

[@mango7966]

Yes, if we are not extra friendly with everyone at work, some people will feel personally attacked.

[@angelr5694]

We all know that one story that surfaces on the Internet when people try to talk about reverse you-know-what starring that one black woman behind the counter that was just so rude to them...attitude and all...🙄

[@Memomommy]

@@mango7966my life, I’ve been told I’m “intimidating”. What do they think I’m gonna do? lol I don’t like to open up at work and people want to see me smiling for some reason. I’m judged by everyone because i don’t smile, especially by men they always tell me to smile. Like that’s so rude to me, but me not smiling is rude to the…..

[@monovatherealest]

I think there's a conversation to be had about the way Pardi, the self proclaimed "feminist," has treated Megan. Like, maybe I'm stretching it, but isn't it a little weird how he posted a conversation he had with Meg about not pulling out anymore (and risking getting her pregnant) for NATIONAL WOMENS DAY? And when he reposted Rihanna's first pregnancy reveal photos and called Rocky his "inspiration???" It makes me think that Plan B was about him the entire time

[@llia_pear]

Ohhh that line in hiss makes this hit harder. "You niggas weren't hitting raw and mad that i am not one of your baby momma's. FYI. Plus pardi has a whole daughter

[@feliznavidad6958]

Men who call themselves feminists loudly when no one asked are ALWAYS wolves in sheeps clothing

[@uchewb3]

this comment is how i am learning these horrible facts

[@radschele1815]

Random thought: Just... you still can get pregnant with pulling out. It's just a bit less likely, but not much

[@joy5191]

Absolutely. It's become a well observed trend that men trap successful women with babies. I don't doubt for a second he tried with her.

[@raq619]

Also, can I just say that line about Taylor Swift being taller than Megan hit me like a ton of bricks, because I had no clue. After all of these years, not once have I ever heard Taylor's height discussed. Certainly not as a slight. Just goes to show how completely different the standards for white women are vs Black women.

[@cecizilla]

YEAH it’s actually so crazy because i didn’t know that either!

[@Demthorshie]

Taylor Swift is one of the tallest female entertainers in the game and no one ever questions her femininity. It's the same thing with how people question Serena Williams' femaleness even though she's not even that tall (5'9) compared to most of the other popular female tennis players.

[@Kittenheelxoxo]

This is an insane revelation to me. Nobody ever questions Taylor’s height but Megan…smfh. I love Meg so much she deserves better

[@larissabrglum3856]

I have heard conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift being secretly transgender, but I've never heard her compared to an ape.

[@Ray03595]

⁠@@Demthorshiebecause Taylor is thinner than Meghan. I think it’s Meghan’s height AND wider figure that makes people target her.

[@TheGhostofAbigailMills]

This point about people demanding LESS dimensions expressed her Meg's work really came through in so many of the black male reactions to Cobra. They seemed dismissive, bewildered, belittling ... and challenged by what they viewed as "contradictions". Megan is truly irreplaceable, she's given so much of her self and carved out that much more space for other black women artists to do the same (unlike other artists who open that door and then immediately try to slam it shut behind them because There Can Be Only One AHEM COUGH COUGH AHEM)

[@evapadilla8342]

"Fake it til you make it" has always seemed like the most pointless and unhelpful advice. Every time someone has told me this its felt so callous and unthoughtful.

[@UndeadGirlCyber]

another thing about resilience: and even *when* someone is resilient and strong doesn't mean they should have to be, doesn't mean their suffering is somehow okay.

[@gleseamv]

idk how anyone could hate megan, shes so talented. her lyricism can be so clever, fun, and real, her delivery is always so captivating, and she just seems like such a genuine and pleasant person with a contagious smile and laughter. i dont usually idolize celebrities but i just love her sm

[@seethanagandla9439]

i totally relate to the rbf thing. im indian, and while we don’t bare the entirety of the model minority myth, there’s definitely a piece of it that falls on our shoulders. especially as the only daughter in an immigrant family, i have to be nice and patient and never stand up for myself. it got to the point where my grandfather lectured me for walking too loud. and whenever i complain im told that its my fault and i need to change. like am i just supposed to float around with a smile on my face all the time??

[@ActuallyAnanya]

Which part of India are you/your family from? I just found it interesting how our experiences vary. I am Malayali but my parents grew up in Gujarat. Members of my family grew up across India. By coincidence, the vast majority of my cousins are female. In my family, almost overwhelmingly, women are the "dominant" ones. Almost all of us are outspoken. And there's also Kali in Hindu mythology as a personification of female rage. I was actually going to comment that I feel Indian women are able to express emotions but clearly this was just based on my experience and who I know.

[@sasentaiko]

⁠​⁠@@ActuallyAnanyaI’m Bengali and I’d say I resonate with OP more (esp with how many non-South Asians treat me) though Ananya I know what you mean. That “permission” to be (allegedly) dominant, though, seems so fragile… and I’d say it’s actually close to “strong black women” tropes & expectations. Frankly, even being categorized as “dominant” (to the point of domineering) regardless of how you really act is the propaganda of patriarchy all over again. Again, strong similarities to the “invincible” and Saphire racial tropes about Black women. I think it’s less about where you’re from and more about HOW the sexism happens to manifest… sometimes it’s sneakier but just as debilitating. Oh and as mentioned in the video, it’s definitely amplified by colorism (and caste). Anyway, solidarity to you both. It’s tough out here.

[@seethanagandla9439]

@@ActuallyAnanya my family is from andhra pradesh, and my parents immigrated to america where i was born. im sure that treatment of women varies among families and regions, especially in a country as diverse as india.

[@Maya-uj6fm]

Tbh I had not delved that much into megan thee stallion's catalogue until HISS dropped, the song AND the music video (love that we're bringing good music video concepts back) really reeled me in so I went back and listened to cobra, traumazine, and some of her other songs beyond what got popular on tiktok. It's wild to me that anyone would be unsatisfied by this era and just want a return to the previous eras, I mean for one I'm a huge Little Simz fan so this is kind of what I appreciate anyways, but for two artists are always evolving and changing and I'm happy she can find an outlet for that through her music that seems helpful to her!

[@Maya-uj6fm]

wait one more thing since I just watched the part with the tiny desk clip, megan is literally so versatile like she's writing she's rapping she's dancing she has the vision she's directing her music videos her collaborations are so strategic like I would just love to continue seeing all of her abilities as much as she wants to give us. also another tiny desk with the new songs bc her with a live band was so fucking good!!

[@littlemisstfc]

I truly wish the very best for Megan Thee Stallion. Her music has helped me out in rough times. Cobra and Hiss is giving me so much excitement for her next album. ❤️ Shame on Nicki and her fans for behaving like five year olds, and for what? A man who won’t be able to drop his kid off at school? 😐

[@Lovefortea448]

I guess they were just too mad about Megan's law

[@MGG-zb1ie]

Hiss was truly a masterpiece in my opinion, Nicki Minaj's response was embarrassing, a queen shouldn't have to stoop that low. It's a sad time to be a barb.

[@LynnHermione]

Her bf is a s3x offender, not queen behavior

[@nya55155]

i want nicki to win so bad but damn she needs a reality check. i blame twitter barbz. they are insane and delusional and nicki only interacts with them and only follows them. that can’t be healthy for u

[@LillyAnarkitty]

A queen who must say “I am the queen” is no true queen

[@awtumn]

Nicki has undeniable talent, but her past actions of belittling other black women have always gone unnoticed. I believe it's linked to internalized misogyny. I'm happy more people have begun to take notice though.

[@marthashepherd935]

​@@ReadbyWisteriaokkkk😆🥴

[@LynnHermione]

I met Megan through her collab with BTS and the sht her label put her through and she seems like the kindest, sweetest person, on top of being super talented. She was lovely during PTD on stage, and always made the boys feel welcome in a way most western collaborators dont do. I wish people would leave her alone to make the music she feels like making

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

Wait how? What do you do lol that’s awesome

[@neutraliserjanine]

Please tell BTS to stop the mysogny towards women that they adopting from western culture. It is destructive music and harmful to women. .

[@kiki13451]

FR and jimin saying she was so sweet and innocent and them all literally thinking she was so cute and sweet and folks that ain’t even MEET HER talking about that ain’t make sense because of the hoe music she make ????? I don’t like to quote folks I don’t like but meek mill said they push rappers to rap about drugs and gangs even if you aren’t about that life or not in it anymore like they want rappers and black people to push this narrative. And obviously it’s what sells. I’m sure if you’re passionate about music you want to do what you love but I’m sure after a while you feel the need to do what you aren’t used to for mainstream access. I’m not in music but I do want to work in the industry and even for me sometimes I feel the need to switch from what I like to what sells because … I want to NOT struggle. I’m not saying that’s mainly Megan but a LOT of these “hoe” rappers HAVE songs about struggle. Latto, Cardi, Megan, but NOBODY cares about them and only pushes the hoe and sexualizing music. Duh. I doubt bts would’ve worked with Megan if they genuinely didn’t like that girl.

[@gracietea]

so did I!! I remember how our two fandoms teamed up to stream the song and support megan as much as possible with her company situation. She was so respectful of the boys, never used them for clout or anything, and it was clear they were enamoured with her from their on stage performance and behind the scenes footage. That was good enough for me and I started listening to more of her music after that

[@vismayavijoy4818]

Idk why people hated Megan in the first place🤷🏻‍♂️ She's super talented, pretty, nice & minds her business. It amazed me how people outcasted her during the Tory time. I was sad that such talent will be wasted & is so happy to see her comeback from all of that, strong & confident❤

[@chickensalad3535]

Because of misogonoir, that's why.

[@hadrianhexe9603]

Simple, they already hated her for being a darker skinned black woman, and then when the Tory situation happened, it gave people an avenue to turn on her.

[@VanitynVain]

They don’t think she’s worthy of protection and that’s why she’s shining harder than ever. The fake Pro blackers only want to protect degenerates. They throwing all those stones at Meg and forgot she’s still a black woman and she will just rise higher like we ALWAYS do.

[@deltasaves]

Because she is a dark skinned black woman. We are highly demonized, even amongst our own people. The "you're pretty for being so dark" comments are trifling

[@puraqua.7626]

She's a black woman rapper that has a type of body that many men actually like but don't fuck with her personality. They want to belittle her because she's new and confident.

[@inkakoutna7155]

I absolutely ADORE Cobra. I love Meghan's vulnerability and realness. It's so fresh in rap community, I think, to admit being scared, depressed, cheated on without it being a call-out or a diss to specific person. It's brave for a black woman on top to be vulnerable and not sugar coating the struggle. I also love her collaborating with rock bands because IT FITS SO WELL.

[@symonecore]

*Megan

[@NOMDzine]

so true!

[@PrettyPrincess9609]

Im glad you made a video on this. As a black woman, I have experienced racism for being angry after being mistreated as a black woman. I will never forget when a white woman threatened to call the police on me back when I use to work in the office because I defended myself and showed frustration on my face when she accused me of lying about working at my job and called me a thief and claimed I was probably trying to steal the work computers. I told my manager at the time and he dismissed it as her being “ crazy “. I quit shortly after that. Because of the trauma I experienced, I stopped working in the office and started working from home. I was also tone policed by my white roommate at the time back in college because I asked her if she can please be quiet so I can study when she was being loud in the kitchen. She claimed that “ my tone “ reminded her of her abusive father. I myself was a victim of abuse by my mother and I would NEVER say that. Even my own MOTHER would accuse me of having an “ attitude “ anytime I expressed anger even if I was just frowning or crying. I was touched by her boyfriend at 15 but I knew I wouldn’t be believed if I spoke up so I didn’t say anything. I was also SA’d by a guy I thought was my friend at 21 and all of my friends turned against me because I become angry, depressed, and “ I brought negative vibes “ after I just went through something traumatic. I even contemplated suicide because I felt so alone. Fortunately I went to therapy and I met my current boyfriend. For so long, I was silenced and when I finally spoke up I was told I was too “ angry “, “too aggressive “, and I have “ an attitude”. This is why I love Meg. I love the fact that a black female rapper is speaking on dealing with anxiety and depression. Black women often aren’t allowed to express anger or else we are stereotyped as the “ angry black woman.

[@Datb2]

yo if there is one thing i hate is being tone policed like who the fuk do some people think they are ? GOD?

[@aerispalm6523]

have to shout out lustsickpuppy as a black women rapper who can combine invincible bad bitch and earth shattering mental breakdown vibes seamlessly.

[@selena6536]

What happened with Megan showed me that the “strong black woman” trope, and its effects, is not going anywhere anytime soon. It just changes forms. I used to appreciate the “Im a bad bitch, I stand on business” movement. It seemed empowering but I see now how so many women buying into with felt they had to project a persona of global confidence, being unbothered and unfazed and being strong enough to handle any and everything that comes their way. But that’s not how life works. This mode of thinking continues to have people expect for black women not just to be strong for ourselves but for others at all times. It robs us of our humanity and complexity. Of the freedom to break down, need rest, ask for help and support when we need it. It shouldn’t be shameful or weak for us to be honest about those difficult moments when we have them. True strength lies in being able to be vulnerable because that’s when real healing can start to take place. It was so groundbreaking for Megan to say she was anxious or depressed because those tropes had already helped solidify the idea in people’s minds that she (and other black women) could take anything. That’s part of why people found it so easy to disregard or outright attack her when she went through that trauma with Lanez (and all the internet harassment). I’m wary now of these new aesthetics and movements and how they market themselves. A lot of these social issues and perceptions function to cloak themselves from criticism so they are presented as progressive and subversive at first but are just repackaged versions of the BS we’ve been dealing with for ages.

[@mxk1657]

Agreed! I also think a lot of people say they like black women but what they mean is they like when black women gratify them. They like when we entertain them, titillate them with our hypersexualized bodies, fight for them on the front lines of political movements, serve and take care of them like mothers etc but they retract their admiration when the human side of us comes out. When we wont fit an ideal or stereotype that pleases them or centers their perspectives of us. When we stop performing for them, when we challenge them, when we ask to have in return what we have given to them. They love to see us be bad bitches but get frustrated when they start finding out we're people too. Its this weird dynamic where some people pedestalize and and deify black women but it ultimately serves to dehumanize us. They gaze and gawk and look at us but they don't actually SEE us. I'm glad Megan is cracking at the facade.

[@Urmumlel7025]

If Hiss doesn't go platinum, we riot.

[@pinarchives]

o7

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

Doesn’t even matter if it does or not. Hiss did it’s job, it knocked Nicki off her thrown and left her spiraling

[@Tobzzzz_]

It’s already Gold!

[@Tobzzzz_]

Being a black woman is mentally tasking. U have to be so hyper vigilant of everything. Every tone, every smile, every word u say is being analyzed to see if it correlates with peoples unconscious bias. There are so many preconceived notions we face that makes it easy to be the villain in any story. I wish Africa was stable enough to move back to, I would love to live there and not have to worry about these things

[@Ghost-lt4sf]

Megan is so much more than what pop media gives her credit for. Intelligent, beautiful, resilient, a reeeeal artist. (and super cute. Every time she's on some anime sh*t, my weeb heart grows 20x stronger.🥺)

[@anansiweb9917]

I’ve been subject to this as well as a black trans femme. Recently I’ve been blacklisted out of most of my community (femboy) because I was seen a certain kind of way (aggressive and mean). At the same time nobody has even talked to me about it. They literally just went to the people in charge and got me isolated after being there for a year. It’s a cruel thing. I think the answer is us making spaces for PoC and being ourselves there.

[@medicinemouse7647]

Sending hugs. I got booted from a comic art group for not accepting the apology of a person who made fun of my sexual assault in the group's server. Sometimes I think group runners care more about appearances than resolving any conflict. Someone should've talked to you rather than shutting the door in your face. Discomfort is going to happen in any group. Fuck them. You deserve communication and some empathy

[@hadrianhexe9603]

As a fellow black femboy, i completely get what you. You can literally make yourself the most demure person in a room but the second people find out your darker skinned, they'll wait for the chance to push stereotypes onto you.

[@roxassora2706]

​@@hadrianhexe9603That must have been hard.

[@MMU_U]

I'm not black, but I'm form Mexico and here we have a problem with being resiliant, maybe because adversity is so normalize, people it's just so "comfortable" with it, and the thing is, if you complain then your weak, so people just have deal with it, and I it's not okay, I want you to know, you dont have to resist, you dont have to be resilient, because you shouldnt live all that shit in first place, or all least not alone, society fails you, and it's okay to not resist all that shit, no one should judge you for that. Here in latin america we have a problem with sad music, basically doesnt exist, at leats not in the mainstream, and that's definitly because most people want to escape their reality, and when you mencione that most rap and hip hop music is about being bigger, it really remind of that, that's why most mexican movies that win all the trofees on film festivals are always about the violence that's so comon, and those are the ones that mexican people dont actually see, because they alredy living it, so they dont really want a reminder that their reality its shit, so all the mexican movies that become mainstream in Mexico are shitty comedies made by rich people that live in a bubble, and people hates them, but they prefer them rather that all the violence we live in a society movies. But there was a case that was so special. There is a Puertorican rapper call Residente (Lin Manuel Miranda cousin, I know, crazy) who drop a song that was literally a suicidal cart he wrote, and it was raw and honest, he did talk in that about everything, the violence he live back in Puerto Rico, how most his friends are dead by it, his struggles with adhd back in school, the end of his marriage, his alcoholism, and you know what? That was the first time a sad song actually make it in the mainstream, not only in Mexico but all latinamerica and I was suprise, by also glad. The point is, girls you know what's the most punk thig you can do? Being vulnerable, that's the real resintance, that's the real fight, and I support you everytime, everyday. By the way, sorry for my bad writhing, english it's not my first language, love this chanel❤.

[@feliznavidad6958]

Megan thee Stallion is not a sympathetic victim to men and women because she is naturally very beautiful and confident. And she's smart and has faced a lot of hardship so the "pretty privilege" narrative that narcs like to push falls apart. I understand her very well and relate. When you naturally have the body that your rival had to pay for, they will hate you.

[@Effexxor]

Cobra absolutely broke my heart for her. I just want to give her a hug. How Nicki wrote Bigfoot after listening to Cobra is wild.

[@LiminalQueenMedia]

Megan is the most important artist the in the game to me personally, as now as an independent producer of her own music I stan her even harder.

[@kaciereed8216]

Cobra is Anxiety’s sister and they’re so relatable and vulnerable

[@KingKay2019]

When I was younger I was always told to ‘fix my face’ and that I always looked mad. Well once my parent passed those when from me being ‘too sad’ and depressed, which I was but it was always seen in a negative light.

[@sapphic.flower]

We feminize/infantilize sadness (thus “white woman tears”) and masculinize anger (thus “the angry black woman”). Sadness and anger are both ways of expressing vulnerability but it’s frustrating how we only see one as deserving of comfort and empathy.

[@Gumigee]

I actually just got into Megan's music because of Hiss, then listened Cobra, and the Traumazine album. I didn't give it a try before because I wasn't into this party music. Oh Boy my mind was blown with Hiss, and not because of it being a diss track which I found out later, what really is going on. For me it was just her demasking the industry in a very powerful, secure way. Then the lyricism unfolded, the flow, uf...then the symbolism with the egg, alter/ego and her embodied at the same place in the same time. And probably there is more but god I loved this feeling of the music, artistry. Phew and then Cobra just hit me in the guts. That was wow, I was feeling so many emotions, sadness, empathy and then that guitar was guitaring so powerful. The choreo which prompted lil bit my body to move. This level of artistry is a turning point, the bar has been raised.

[@zekewalker1350]

EXCUSE ME WHAT?? TAYLOR SWIFT IS TALLER THAN MEG!?!?!?! I already wasnt comfortable with jokes about her size but i'm absolutely using that little fun fact to shut down the conversation in the future.

[@user-nq8yv5jc6o]

Also Michelle Obama is the same height as Trumps Wife, yet Michelle was being called a man

[@valeriesmith15]

My mother died since 1998 and she was pleased when she was able to work from home , she couldn’t stand the politics of how black women should be. However black women are, it is always seen as a problem. I’m glad that a lot of them are either working from home, or living and working in other countries. Very good discussion.

[@theblackbutterfly6573]

I could fall asleep to ur voice it’s so calming

[@spiggbo]

I follow several beautiful black influencers on Insta and the amount of times I've seen the phrase, "baring her teeth like a dog" under videos where they're just talking about difficult subjects. . . Makes me f*cking sick, everyone suffers in one way or another, everyone is allowed to be angry. . 20-f*cking-24 and we're still wringing our hands over race? Still color coding who should and shouldn't stuggle with anxiety and depression?? Who should and shouldn't be allowed to speak out about sexism??? Guess it's the "fiery Hispanic woman" in me, but no one should be silenced over injustices or pain. . I hope she triples down, a lot of POC need to hear they're not alone, it could save a life 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Emma-xz8fo]

I always appreciated knowing when any celebrity was a tall girl like me, but Megan’s tall girl energy, athletic build, and calling herself a stallion hits different. In addition to colorism, the other difference from her and T swift and Zendaya is her build. She’s not skinny and has an athletic build, deep voice and confident, unapologetic attitude. These are things we have in common and since a child (being 5’8 in elementary school and never afraid to speak my mind) being called a “man” was one of the most recurring insults I had thrown at me growing up.

[@Inkabelle100]

I absolutely loved this video. To me it feels like people want her to not acknowledge her feelings in her music at all because she never says how she feels than people can turn a blind eye with how she's treated and how they personally treat or see her.

[@squareroot9423]

I cannot talk from Megan's perspective since I'm not black nor a woman, I am someone that has been victim of bigotry in the environment i'm in. When I first listened through Traumazine I was at many points through the verge of tears, and I'm thankful for how vulnerable Megan chose to be being a victim of misogynoir and even her grief. "Anxiety" is this close in being my favorite song from her (tho B. I. T. C. H. and HISS are in that podium too). And there are a whole lot of Black Women who know anger is a valid emotion to have and use it in their art: Backxwash in her deconstruction of religion and trangressions as a black trans woman, Doechii like you said before, and Rico Nasty is a master in letting her rage be a weapon for incredible art.

[@sweetflwerchild]

as a black woman with anxiety & depression i’m mad i let this album slip by me. thank you for the new perspective and im definitely giving this a chance

[@morganqorishchi8181]

Something I find really gross is when black women express disgust towards black women who are distressed or vulnerable or in pain. I unsubscribed from Harriyanna Hook after her video bashing Monica Rambeau in Wandavision for... crying. After her mother dying of cancer. *After she had previously been told by doctors her mother would make it.* The mockery, condescension, repulsion and hate towards a black woman for crying over something as painful and heartbreaking as losing your mom to cancer and for not being a Strong Black Woman who feels no pain really crystalized for me just how bad this problem is. Not only do people who aren't black think this way, this has become so prolific some people who are themselves black women think it's bad for a woman to cry after the death of a parent. There's no room for humanity in such a strict definition of acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Anything Meg can do to set that definition on fire is good, because it needs to be burnt to the ground. People are people. Let them feel their feelings.

[@PeggyKoneko]

I find myself rooting for Megan more than I ever have anyone else because to see my struggles, pain and emotion reflected in rap and pop culture means so much to me.

[@Scuzoid_Melee]

I'm very likely your father's age and I haven't gone out of my way to listen to music with lyrics in nearly 2 decades. So I paused the video early on to listen to Cobra. This is such a sad song. I wish there was more compassion from everyone and everything needn't be so exploitative and transactional. Seeing my much much younger sister at the end of the month. Gonna hug her for as long as she is willing to stand it.

[@tkdyo]

When you got to the height portion I was thinking Megan was like 6 something from the way you were talking about her. Then you said she was 5 10 and Ii was like "thats not even that tall, wtf?" Not that its ok in any context, but I was just shocked that people in media would even think of that as tall no matter the race.

[@clementineinapastlife5718]

I loved traumazine and it's vulnerability alot and i was annoyed to see people ask why she cant move on and she's still talking about the past like so much hasnt happened to her since that 2022 album and grief, depression, heartbreak and betrayal have a time limit. I'm here for the next project whether its fun or vulnerable (or both)

[@TheGreenShoelace]

Never clicked on video faster in my life

[@Deprobot21]

8:04 I can recognize that Little Simz beat anywhere. One of my top 5 rappers. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is a masterpiece.

[@NOMDzine]

shes sick

[@kato6196]

I've liked megan's music for the past few years, but her newer stuff is on a different level of greatness. I'm so glad there's a space in the mainstream for her to express her deeper feelings, and I hope that can be extended to other black women artists as well.

[@bb9391]

This was a wonderful video. I’m also tired of defending myself because I’m a black woman and I don’t want to smile every five seconds. So thank you for this.

[@iGotBulletproof-Insomnia]

I grew up being told I was "so ungrateful" because I was quiet, even when I was happy, excited, bothered, sad... as a child, I could sit in the car going home from the theater, reflecting on the movie i just watched, and would get fussed at because I'm not bouncing in my seat running my mouth at a mile an hour like my brother. To this day (I'm 31), I feel the need to repeat how thankful I am for someone doing a favor for me, or taking me out somewhere. If I speak slightly more softy than usual, or my face isn’t pasted with a small smile, I'm suddenly "not myself, instead of just quiet. Its frustrating.

[@donttalktomebye]

love this video! I'm so proud of Meg for coming out with Cobra AND Hiss. I was so upset when people seemed to only address the line about cheating in Cobra and not about the fact Meg was having suicidal ideations and was OPEN about it. It was such a monumental song for so many reasons and ofc everyone was focused on the man she mentioned instead of HER. i will say re: beef, i dont think theres really any beef. I don't even think Meg was even referring to Nicki or her husband. Nicki losing it and ASSUMING a 1 line about megans law is about her husband is both a projection and self centered because the song was clearly more at all of the male rappers who have been ragging on her for the last few years. There was a whole verse about drake. Nicki making these assumptions when its clearly barely about her (but if the show fits) derailed the whole thing.

[@VV-sq6yb]

Three Yhara Zayd videos in the span of a month? A blessing 🔥🔥🔥

[@lelpato3327]

yhara zayd revolution also yes god i bury myself in megan support

[@jemportal4166]

I remember watching people's reactions to "Cobra" on KZbin, and despite the intro where Meg talks about shedding your skin like a snake, implying a theme of transformation, so many of these idiots were STILL shocked by the song's content, many of them expecting something reminiscent of Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda."

[@BlackTestament]

Ngl that thumbnail goes HARD!!!!! Commenting to appease the algorithim

[@Bbyluvvv]

The overwhelming secondhand embarrassment that I feel being an old school barb is so disappointing 🤦🏽‍♀️I don’t care how much I love the music that shit was disgusting and it’s the reason why I’ve come to the conclusion we need to stop having emotional ties to these celebrities because I can’t even be shocked when shit like this happens anymore

[@etheric1]

I love Meg so much. I had a lot of fun with her older stuff but seeing her hold space in her artistry to be vulnerable was so powerful. I watched the Cobra mv every day for like 2 weeks after it came out because it just got to me so hard in such a good way.

[@jackjones4577]

Happy BHM and free palestine!🇵🇸

[@KMBence]

Just wanted to say, i was watching your video recently from my room and my mom was in the kitchen and she could hear the video and she came up to me to tell me that she could listen to you speak all day about anything and everything. I couldn’t agree more. You have my vote for talking head format. 😅❤

[@Mtv20O1]

as a non black woman of color (Latina to be exact) I relate to her in the way that I’m not suppose to show an emotion or any sign of vulnerability/anger because if I did then I would be considered “toxic” or too “feisty” I think it’s so important for Megan to show her emotions and express her feelings in her artistry her and sza are two artists I admire so much for being so vulnerable in their music it’s funny sza got a similar response when her album dropped she was considered “low vibrational” and people kept attacking her music as if other white or white passing artists like Billie Eilish or Olivia Rodrigo didn’t write about similar themes it’s so frustrating that people can’t allow black and brown woman but mainly black woman to express their emotions without being depicted by harmful stereotypes Megan has a way with her pen and I’m rooting for her so hard

[@sunkissedking]

Lol, the intro was cute asf.

[@CarelessFoolFallsFlat]

I don't listen to a lot of popular music, so I took a quick detour after the intro and listened to Cobra and Hiss. I'm happy I did because that shit goes hard. That line about bleeding Pinot after an attempt at suicide is gonna stick with me for a while.

[@gammarays3683]

I know your talking head setup isnt sleek but i love how informal it is. The 4:3 ratio and stuff makes me feel like im watching your video essays on vhs

[@AlyssaMakesArt]

I saw that weird reaction to COBRA as frustrating, too. There was negativity from "fans" just wanting twerking music and the people that act like she doesn't make anything beyond talking about sex (which COBRA wasn't even the first song, just the most vulnerable) were no where to be found. I think the song was so well put together and honestly one of my faves from her-especially the spiritbox remix. I'd never even heard of that band before the single.

[@jaye8103]

Ma'am, you did not drop Iggy's name! Talk about "bodied" :) Thank you for covering this important topic.

[@miss_conduct.]

Actually, there are some turfs out there on YT claiming that Taylor Swift is too a trans woman simply cause she's tall (which she isn't even that tall) and analyze her throat to uncover an adam's apple. For Meg it's even worse. This makes me want to go back in time when I was an oblivious, non-sentient fetus floating in goo. Exhaustion.

[@Datb2]

fuking same

[@AlexisMitchell87]

I truly relate to this. I'm on the autism spectrum and have a flat affect and very transparent. Constantly policing my facial expressions and masking so people won't judge me is stressful. I tend to avoid people and isolate myself so I don't need to preform.

[@crystalbailey4488]

Hats off to you! Love this video. We (Black women) are allowed to be human and express our full range of emotions. Period.

[@FabulousSquidward]

Im a bad bitch and i got bad anxiety

[@kimotee5892]

This video is so good!! As an AFAB white person I feel I must recommend the book White Tears/Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad, as a white person it was incredibly illuminating and changed the way I think, and it delves a lot into the restrictive stereotypes women of colour are constantly forced into. A must read!

[@Crazymota]

To me.. Megan represents so much power. Women expressing their emotions, especially anger just gets me fired up and ready to take on the world and if people don't like it they can fuck off and cry about it, just will make me do it more.

[@ericaj4494]

I appreciate this video. I love the music she puts out and it honestly wasnt until Traumazine that I went and listened to an entire album of hers from top to bottom. Loved the bops as they came out but she really put a lot of how I felt into works of art that I can listen to on repeat. And thank you for your time put into this video. It reminded me of how often I would tell my mom she didn't have RBF. Every time she asked i would state it as fact, "You just have a face" and I hope it belped because she would wear makeup as to not look so "angry". It saddens me when I think about it but as we've both grown as people I've recognized she's been more open to being herself and I love that for her.

[@ericaj4494]

And I also wanted to just note that Twitter rap fans sometimes following on their favorite rappers footsteps. I am still floored at the interview Sexy Red did with Little Yatti and how he downplayed her assault and outright said, "Nah we don't wanna hear about that, something else not like that" after she had said it so regular as if she wasn't bothered by it happening. I'm still in shock. They don't want to have evidence of someone admitting one of their own faves or friends doing that person wrong or harming them. Why air it out because then how many more are coming forward to admit the abuse they've faced within the industry and not just the artists.

[@jonathanlambz]

Cobra and Hiss were killers for me. They’ve been on repeat all day since they came out, and especially Cobra Rock Remix. I’m so proud of Megan and love reading her lyrics. Also the fact that she produced it by herself makes me stream it more

[@ghostbreath]

God she’s so strong. I really look up to Megan, her level of confidence is something I aspire to have and I never would have thought she was going through it like that. the fact that she doesn’t back down or make herself smaller in the face of all the shit she’s been getting I really admire her so much. idk how I would cope with all the hate.

[@potatopotatoeOG]

Finally listened to cobra after hiss and I honestly was so heartbroken for her but truly felt seen… like damn! That’s me!😢 a formerly depressed black girl from so far away can identify with this goddess of an artist.. wow.

[@crystalcastillo7575]

unrelated but not really but knowing how hard women especially black women have it in the industry especially with their vulnerability being mocked / not being taken as seriously.. it's extra annoying how NICKI MINAJ weaponizes Megan's trauma against her calling her an alcoholic knowing Megan said that she drinks to cope , like in Cobra. Or how megan talked about being suicidal after the shooting yet Nicki still has the audacity to say "that .40 cal make them dance like a go-go" alluding to when Tory told Megan to "dance b1tch" while shooting at her. Just makes it more upsetting. That internalized misogyny is crazy.

[@SableWind]

Glad to see this. Theres obviously a lot of talk about Megan and other female rappers in stan culture, on twitter, unhinged comments in KZbin videos lol, but I really haven't seen much analysis or video essays about these artists (beyond drama farming stuff, anyway). We get video essays about video games, books, movies, shows, all kinds of media - but music, not as much. Especially for women, moreso for black women. Anyway its just nice to see anyone talking about Megan this way, because I adore her, and she deserves it, and you did a great job :)

[@EbonyHoopGyal]

Honestly, wish I could give sis a hug. I feel like we have let her and each other down. She is stunningly beautiful, and smart. Yet I do not like people exploiting her. It would be amazing to have black woman only groups where we just hug each other and let each other vent about anything or everything. Heck even if we all dont always get along, we can do better for each other. I cannot imagine what she must feel.

[@genericusername2]

I truly thought Megan was like 6'2" by how people freak out about her height! I'm 5'9" wtf

[@sizergeorge210]

oh! you wanna know another black woman who reps female rage really well? actually, i've got a few recommendations! a good female rage (especially transfeminine rage) song is eu matei o junior by linn da quebrada and ventura profana. i'm not sure what ventura profana identifies as but linn da quebrada identifies as a travesti, which is an often transfeminine identity in latine contexts. another good female rage MUSICIAN though, like. consistently? backxwash. her main trilogy of albums, all centered around the trauma of growing up as a young black immigrant trans woman in canada and arguably familial trauma ("god has nothing to with this leave him out of it", "i lie buried here with my rings and dresses", and the very aptly named album for anyone who's had to suffer an abusive father or patriarchal figure "his happiness shall come first even though we are suffering") are INTENSE albums filled with experimental noise/industrial (to me they're both) rap (arguably metal) stylings that scream RAGE at the world and how it's treated her. her single "rosemary's revenge", which is about a dead sex worker coming back to life to haunt her aggressors in life, is also a good song, her work with nonbinary musician dreamcrusher and her work with afrofuturist (in my opinion) band algiers is also a recommendation i cannot recommend enough.

[@vanirie434]

I'm a very casual listener of rap, but I could not for the life of me parse the reaction people had to Megan thee Stallion's new music. To me, she always had such real emotion behind her singing (especially live. Holy shit), which made it easy to connect to even as someone who kind of struggles to parse the genre. Sometimes, the bias is just so blatant -- the real rejection of what, to me, is music that comes overwhelmingly from the heart in its raw joy and it's raw pain, a performance that takes all those uncontrollable real feelings and turns them into art, is just so... outrageous, somehow. Sometimes you just want to shake people by the shoulders like "don't you realise what a gift she's giving, how are you this ungrateful?" at the way people talk about her. She's not *maudlin*, you're just *racist*

[@iggyelle]

I guess they weren’t listening to “Crying in My Car”, which is just as well. Let me keep that song for myself when I’m in my feelings. Cobra and Hiss are masterpieces and I really admire her ability to channel the power she’s conveyed in her more fun songs into ones where she gets to talk about her feelings. Really liked her talking about being sad but writing hype songs to work through it. Extremely relatable as a writer. When you’re sad sometimes you just wanna write soft or sexy things.

[@TheAngryMarshmallow]

I listened to Cobra for the first time this week and I was covered in tears by the end of the song. I related so much as someone who has been through DV. My heart went out to her. I imagine with her being someone that has such a "tough" badass image, that had to be FUCKING HARD to work through and release publicly. And as a chicano in America , growing up in a white town, my sadness at my victimization has always been viewed as rage and that breaks my heart. I was never allowed softness. 💜

[@brianacooper9341]

Thank you for respecting Megan's feelings. It also was a thing that got me very annoyed when I saw how people responded to Cobra. One black woman even said "we don't want to hear about you feeling depressed"😑 As if no one knew what she went through when they all knew what she went through🙄. And traumazine was a beautiful album as well I agree

[@marthashepherd935]

Meg♥️ATE🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥LEFT NO CRUMBS 💯 AND IT TOOK TWO WORDS: MEGAN'S LAW TO CAUSE THE LEGACY AND KINGDOM TO START CRUMBLING☕👀👁️

[@Baby-Face-Grace]

I’m all for any music that makes you feel something and valued for all aspects of yourself. The fact she writes her stuff in such a vulnerable manner is under appreciated. I really respect her authenticity. It’s palpable. I remember finding out a couple of years ago about the horrendous statistics of black women’s deaths during pregnancy here in the UK and was completely dumbfounded by how this is something not talked about out in our media. Like….wtf? And they say that the UK dosen’t have a racist problem. It’s a joke. Your content across to me like in depth discussions between friends over a cup of tea or coffee and I very much enjoy your videos.

[@victoriakawesa3558]

Thank you for this...new subscriber 👏🏿... Megan and Queen Latifa are so great... 🔥 🔥

[@Cshaw_13]

Anxiety was such a good song too 🎉

[@Tobzzzz_]

Fr. It got me thru some shit

[@sourviolet]

Loved this video!!

[@issaread5937]

I love so much that you made this!😢❤

[@finslimes]

This really resonated with me as a trans person, especially with the increased spotlight on trans ppl due to hate movements. Marginalized people are told to accept disrespect with a smile. We are told that showing the slightest hint of anger or sadness is an overreaction.

[@individualm6712]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@iguessimryan]

Thank you and happy BHM! ❤️💚🖤