Strong knees, a strong liver and getting to the bag is what makes a successful hot girl.
Arguably, Meg-Thee-Stallion, City Girls, and Doja Cat are the new generation of leaders for the “hot girl” movement.
Though we praise their attributes now, women weren’t always allowed to speak and dress so freely.
Though the Women’s Right Movement didn’t officially begin until the 1960s, women have always fought for their equal rights within a patriarchal society.
Unfortunately, black women were still ostracized, and treated like second class citizens compared to white women in America. Whenever a black woman expressed themselves, society categorized them to stereotypes that never depicted them in a positive light.
The term “Jezebel”, came from a character in the Bible, who was the daughter of the priest-king Ethbaal, ruler of the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. Jezebel was later used as a stereotypical term for oversexualized black woman, who desired sex from white slave owners. Though historically we know that black slaves were often dehumanized and raped at the hands of their white oppressors. Since slavery ended, the definition has changed to describe “an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman” according to Webster dictionary.
Black women began speaking outwardly of their experiences, and expressed themselves through music and art. Blues, once reserved for southern black men, was a style of music used to express pleasure, and the tyranny of black people. Blues music often spoke about taboo topics like smoking, drinking and sexual activities.
Some women decided they would do whatever they wanted unapologetically. Thus began the first “hot girl” movement which was in the 1920’s. These trailblazers were known as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Alberta Hunter. Their music reflected topics that women typically didn’t speak about publically, much less in music. Women were often subjected to scrutiny, and even killed, if they spoke of things outside of their “regular” household duties.
Gertrude “Ma Rainey” Pridgett, was known as the “Mother Of Blues”. Her lyrics expressed various taboo topics, one of the most known topics was her interest in women. Rainey’s song “Prove it On Me”, was about sneaking around with women while being married to her husband. Rainey was not only a pioneer but brave when she sang so candidly about her truth and inspired other women to utilize their voice in blues music as well.
Shortly after, Rainey’s prodigy was Bessie Smith, who was known as the “Empress of Blues”. Smith’s song “Me and My Gin”, would speak of her fighting, and drinking. Though this style was deemed “unlady like” it resonated with people so much that she became the highest paid black entertainer in the world, making at least $2,000 each week before the Great Depression.
Lastly, Alberta Hunter was a nurse by day, and blues singer by night. Hunter would tour the world singing blues and often sung in Europe, because racism wasn’t so prevalent. Her songs reflected her good and bad experiences with men. “You Can’t Do What My Last Man Did”, was about no longer being treated with disrespect by the hands of men.
Decades later women are still inspiring other women to be outspoken in their music. So whether it’s rapping City Girl lyrics, dressing sexy Doja Cat like or yelling out “Issa Hot Girl Summer” like Meg, women have been resilient.
Women have transformed places that were once meant for men, into a place where they could thrive, and show the world how amazing, fearless and wonderfully made we truly are.
