In the wake of Megan Thee Stallion’s album Good News release, I thought that it was time to have a conversation that strong, black women have been and are currently defining the music industry. The double standards between men and women have always been prominent in the music industry, especially in the rap and hip hop scene. Male rappers consistently make songs about sex, drugs, and women and it is considered the norm. When females talk about the same topics in their songs, however, they are suddenly damaging to younger girls and are degrading themselves, which is infuriating to no end. Thankfully, pioneers of the female rap industry, namely Lil’ Kim, opened up the conversation regarding body confidence and sexual empowerment for us all, and Megan Thee Stallion has continued this legacy.

Kimberly Denise Jones, AKA Lil’ Kim, has always been an independently fierce woman since she was born in 1974. From being kicked out of her home in Brooklyn as a teen to perjuring herself in court to save her friend, Kim has stuck to her gut and her convictions. She encapsulated her fiery passion and anger into a rap career in her early twenties. Her innate ability to freestyle and write amazing wordplay garnered her the recognition of some of the most prevalent names in hip hop of the time, such as The Notorious B.I.G, which helped put her on the map. There’s no doubt in my mind that Kim would’ve been just as successful without the help, but she was already pursuing a fashion career, a modeling career, and a career as a reality tv star. Needless to say, Lil’ Kim’s determination to make something of herself was such a strong driving force, that she is still cited as a main source of inspiration in women in and out of the music industry who are blossoming into themselves with confidence and sexual prowess. In short, Lil’ Kim was, is, and will always be a queen.