Thot Shit
“Hands on my knees, shakin’ ass, on my thot shit” is a new expression that’s been added to Black feminist rap by Megan Thee Stallion. Megan Thee Stallion (originally named Megan Pete) is a 26-year-old African-American rapper. She’s won three Grammy’s and has earned the title of the first woman to have three number one streaming songs. Meg embodies Black feminism in her new song “Thot Shit“, as well as a music video. In her op-ed for the New York Times, Megan says “We know that after the last ballot is cast and the vote is tallied, we are likely to go back to fighting for ourselves. Because at least for now, that’s all we have,” in reference to the 2020 US elections. But it speaks volumes to Black women’s plight across the world.
“Thot Shit” and its video is Megan’s way of fighting for herself and for Black women. Megan’s feminism has a dual impact due to “Thot Shit’s” lyrics and video having separate messages addressing the abuse of misogyny. Megan takes the word “thot”, an insult derived from the Black community by Black misogynists. While the music video addresses White conservative political leaders that take women for granted, Megan and her dancers also dress up as essential workers, taking the discussion of classism into their helm as well.
Black Feminism
Megan follows a long line of Black women who sit in the gap for Black women’s rights. Acts of Black feminism can be found as far back as the 1830s. In 1830, we find Sojourner Truth, a woman born into slavery who later runs to freedom with her mother. She then becomes an abolitionist and goes to court to recover her son from her past slaveholder, becoming the first Black woman to win a case against a white man. Black feminism is complex and hard to define but in the simplest terms, it’s feminism that puts Black women at the forefront. This is needed since traditional feminism never made room for Black women due to the colour of their skin. Former Black Panther and Black activist Dr. Angela Davis tells the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “I rarely talk about feminism in the singular. I talk about feminisms. And, even when I myself refused to identify with feminism, I realized that it was a certain kind of feminism . . . It was a feminism of those women who weren’t really concerned with equality for all women…”
Meg Thee Stallion’s Contribution
Meg hasn’t just contributed to Black feminism, she’s also contributed to its sub-category, Hip-Hop feminism. Hip-Hop feminism centres around women through the hip-hop lens. It’s integral to “Thot Shit’s” making since it gives “Thot Shit” a foundation to stand on. Megan joins the ranks with Queen Latifah, The Lady of Rage, MC Lyte and of course, Ms. Lauryn Hill.
Black Feminist Playlist
Explore more of Black feminism with these songs:
Woman – Little Simz ft. Cleo Sol
Ladies First – Queen Latifah ft. Moni Love
In Women Colour – Haviah Mighty
