The Healing Power Of Confident Black Women In Hip-Hop
By Taryn Finley
August 2, 2023
When I was just 8 years old, I harbored dreams of becoming a rapper. The thought of shedding my shy demeanor and confidently expressing myself with bold lyrics fueled my aspirations. I started my first rhyme book, a steno notepad that I stumbled upon in my mom’s computer room. With a glitter gel pen, I adorned the pages with verses about the complexities of second grade, boasted about my straight A grades, and even concocted some future truths about the fame and fortune I would attain as a rapper. Occasionally, I would showcase mini performances for my friends and crushes during recess, using my voice in a way that I had always been too timid to do. But most of the time, I kept my rhymes to myself, treating the notebook as a personal diary.
“Remy Ma transformed ‘Conceited’ from a character flaw into a confidence booster. Trina’s proclamation of being a ‘five-star bitch’ became an affirmation for the rest of us. When Nicki Minaj’s ‘Did It On Em’ or Cardi B’s ‘Bodak Yellow’ come on, all my anxiety washes away, and I find myself yearning for a confrontation with a hater.”
As a child plagued by anxiety and an inclination to please others, it was often challenging for me to tap into a sense of self-assuredness. This struggle only intensified in middle school, where bullying became more frequent, and societal pressures to conform became more apparent. For me, the remedy to these challenges was channeling the overconfidence and audacity exhibited by female hip-hop artists – a practice that continues to serve me well in combating impostor syndrome and navigating heartbreak. Women in rap played a transformative role in shaping my attitude, breaking down the mental barriers that I encountered during my formative years. When I heard a chorus introduce Eve as “that girl”, I readily assumed the “that girl” persona. Lil Kim’s declaration of “I’m rich, I’ma stay that bitch” in “Queen Bitch” made me believe that my humble $22.37 in the piggy bank was actually a fortune. Remy Ma changed the connotation of “Conceited” from a flaw into a confidence booster. When Trina proclaimed herself a “five-star bitch,” it resonated with all of us as an affirmation. Setting aside any rap rivalries, when Nicki Minaj’s “Did It On Em” or Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” blares through the speakers, my anxiety dissipates, and I find myself wishing for a confrontation with a hater.
When Megan Thee Stallion boldly states that she’s “running through yo n***a house like the Tomb Raider,” it’s a proclamation of claiming space and asserting authority. Perhaps these interpretations are not literal translations of the lyrics, but music, like all forms of art, is subjective. Hip-hop invites an innate confidence that consumes your movements and can feel like a spiritual practice. Singing along to Crime Mobb’s “Stilettos” or Latto’s “Put It On The Floor” in the car with your friends can provide the therapeutic release needed after a long week of dealing with people who push your buttons.
Disregarding the parental advisory labels, it is essential for every Black girl and woman to listen to female rappers boldly express themselves. Of course, the edited versions are suitable for the younger audience, but my point remains.
Being a confident Black woman is the complete opposite of what society expects from us. We are supposed to be selflessly nurturing, caring for others while neglecting our own needs, and accepting that as our role. Our beauty is deemed inadequate, even as our bodies and features are fetishized and imitated. Our voices are constantly policed, and we are shamed for daring to speak up. We are conditioned to see ourselves only in relation to men, often being pitted against each other.
Unfortunately, segments of the genre exacerbate these issues, as men have historically used rap as a platform to objectify and belittle Black women. It took trailblazing women like Queen Latifah, who boldly questioned, “Who you callin’ a bitch?” in her hit “U.N.I.T.Y.,” to challenge the subordinate role men assigned to us. Foxy Brown and Lil Kim reestablished sexual agency for women in rap, cleverly employing wordplay and displaying bravado that rivals the men. This legacy lives on through Cardi B and Meg’s “W.A.P.,” Lola Brooke’s “Don’t Play With It,” and Sexxy Red’s “Pound Town.”
Nevertheless, even today, confident female rappers face criticism from a horde of men who object to the subject matter of their lyrics. Let us not forget that not too long ago, complaints from white individuals about gangsta rap led to extensive surveillance by the FBI and the outright banning of certain rappers and songs in various states and networks. As women’s bodies and rights face critical threats in the present day, the freedom we have to use our voices for joy, change, and inspiration becomes a tool for our safety and sanity.
“The empowering voices of Black women rappers, whether conscious, bold, or anything in between, provide radical affirmations of our worth and power. Hip-hop not only saved my life, but these women in hip-hop helped me discover my true self, reminding me of who I am and empowering me to embrace it. This was true then, and it is true now. Black women have always possessed this sense of confidence, but it is reaffirming to see it celebrated through the medium of hip-hop. Particularly in recent years, as more and more women dominate the rap scene, literally saving the genre. City Girls, GloRilla, TiaCorine, Doechii, and Flo Milli are just a few examples. The wave of diverse and confident women reigning supreme in the genre, unabashedly on their own terms, is nothing short of a revolution.”
This article is part of a HuffPost series commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Explore all of our coverage here.
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