I’m sure you’ve heard Monaleo’s song “Sexy Soulaan” on social media. She definitely has everyone obsessed with it right now. While it’s catchy, the song is way more than just music, and here’s why.
In the song, she mentions terms like “Black American Princess” and “Soulaan.” Both phrases are new to the music industry. Monaleo uses them ever so intentionally and has caused a lot of curiosity among viewers.
“B.A.P.S” is short for Black American Princess. This term first came from the 1997 film “B.A.P.S” starring Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle-Reid. When this movie first came out, people saw it as a lighthearted comedy or something fun to watch during a girl’s night. Looking deeper, the movie carries a powerful message about Black identity, and self-expression.
In the movie, Halle Berry’s character, Nisi, wears chunky gold jewelry, has creative hairstyles, and speaks in AAVE (African American Vernacular English). These are all things that have often been labeled as “ghetto” or “unprofessional.”
But, Monaleo is doing exactly what the movie was hinting at all along, showing that those same things are part of Soulaan culture and that they are beautiful, and authentic. Monaleo has made it clear that she’s not going to apologize for it. She’s reclaiming what society tried to shame, turning it into something that shines. Being proud and black is not “too loud” or “too much.” It’s identity, and it deserves to be celebrated.
Soulaan people are Black Americans whose ancestry directly traces back to enslaved Africans in the United States. The reason this term is so significant is because for many Soulaan people history has been erased. Generations of records were lost during slavery, leaving many families unable to trace their roots beyond three or four generations. That disconnection has created a sense of confusion and longing for many Black Americans who know they’re from here but still feel that cultural distance from their African ancestry.
By using the word “Soulaan,” Monaleo is giving that experience a name. She’s creating a word that honors that history instead of hiding it. She’s saying, yes, my ancestors built this country. Yes, I’m proud of that lineage. It’s a term that brings power and belonging to a community that has spent centuries having both taken away.
Monaleo doesn’t just talk about Soulaan culture it is shown in the “Sexy Soulaan” music video. she paints a picture that feels familiar to so many of us. The video centers around a cookout, which is one of the most common traditions in Black American life. There’s food on the grill, music playing, people playing spades and dominoes, and dancing. It’s a celebration love, wrapped up in one video.
Monaleo even makes sure to include the African American Heritage Flag, in the video she’s wearing the flag with many other cultural flags.
And beyond the visuals, Monaleo also celebrates Black features in a way that feels real and affirming. She raps about having a big nose and big lips, features that have been criticized or mocked for generations. instead of hiding them, she embraces them as something to be proud of. That confidence and self-love resonate very deeply, especially in a world where beauty standards have long excluded Black features.
Sexy Soulaan has shown princesses are not just in fairy tales. There are princesses all around you. Black American Princesses.