If you don’t know her name by now, you probably would know her from a few of her iconic songs, like “WAP” with Cardi B or “Savage.” Megan Thee Stallion has been on the come-up in the mainstream rap scene since 2018, and is now a true icon in the female rapper game. This year has been no less than wild for Megan, from covering Time magazine as one of its 100 most influential people of the year, to being a princess of TikTok with loads of viral dances, to dealing with the misogynistic online wrath after being involved in an incident where she was shot by rapper Tory Lanez. She turned the conversation from drama to a real conversation about protecting Black women before it’s too late.
On her latest project Good News, opener “Shots Fired” explodes with no introduction. Megan shows once again that her talent transcends, and she is not afraid to set the record straight. The incident, which occured in July, took the Internet by storm, where thousands of people harassed Megan after she tried to protect Tory Lanez, only to be betrayed and shot in the foot by him. Lanez’s latest album, “Daystar” strives to justify himself in the situation, but he has only proved to be an irrelevant rapper. “Shots Fired” is the most extraordinary diss track and surely will go down in rap history. How could it not with a line like “He talkin’ ‘bout his followers, dollars, and / goofy shit / I told him, “You’re not poppin’, you just on the remix” (What’s poppin’?)” referencing the fact that Lanez can’t make it on Billboard Hot 100 without massive assistance. The song samples Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya?” and Megan utilizes the iconic rapper’s song wisely, letting everyone know that Megan thee Stallion is not one to be played with. She employs her platform to bring back conversation about Breonna Taylor in the song, letting the world know that Megan will not let Black women be unprotected.
With her business handled, the album moves into an eruption of feel good tracks, as she explores new sounds conducted by Megan’s confidence and impressive lyricism. Popcaan and Mustard bring heat to “Intercourse” where Megan explores dancehall, and immediately after, Big Sean and 2 Chainz connect for an instant classic that belongs in an NBA stadium. The features on the album continue to aid Megan’s aesthetic, with DaBaby, City Girls, SZA and of course, Beyoncé.
It’s hard not to imagine which of these songs will end up as future TikTok dances, and I’m almost certain we will see dances from “Body,” a song booming with eroticism and a true certified Hot Girl Anthem that one can’t help but begin to shake ass to. And despite all of the incredible features on the album, it’s hard not to notice how some of the strongest songs feature only one star, Megan thee Stallion. “Circles,” the second track of the album, is a classic Meg track, guided by Meg’s merciless flow, while we see her more vulnerable side on “Outside,” which is guided by a slower, more stripped back beat.
The album dropping near the year’s end seems only right. Megan had a lot to say to the world, and with that, she pushed past any boundaries people may have imposed on her after the viral song “WAP.” Megan embraces the virality of her past, but clears the path for a future of exploration and experimentation, letting the world know that Megan Thee Stallion will not be held down. The album Good News is a true joy and Megan Thee Stallion deserves all of the celebration that may come with it: perhaps album of the year.
Daily Arts Writer Katy Trame can be reached at ktrame@umich.edu.