Right Message, Wrong Messenger? Social Media Really Isn’t Feeling Ciara’s New Empowerment Anthem
Picture it: Worldwide. Year, 2000. One of the greatest female groups on the planet has been tapped for the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack for a song that almost single-handedly reshaped the female-to-male relationship dynamic forever, titled "Independent Women Part 1." The song would go on to be one of the highest-selling, highest-charting singles by a female group of all time, ultimately to be performed to the end of time for the rest of our lives.
The songwriter would go on to marry (quite literally) the richest artist that hip hop has ever seen, as, through her own hard work, she sings about being independent literally forever (ahem, "Single Ladies") while the rest of us are left to splash around in a dating pool that seemingly has pee in it.
If you haven’t figured it out, I’m talking about Queen Bey (don’t fight me), who alongside Destiny’s Child, revolutionized how women respond to getting what they want and deserve out of life, and not “needing” a man to get it.
Fast forward to today, the girls are welcoming the soft life while that ole "independent" heffa, although a characteristic in all of us that goes without saying, can graciously see her way out. At least that's what the girls are saying.
It all started when our fave, Ciara, uploaded a playful video promoting her new single, "For Da Girls." She’s in the mirror, rocking the MSCHF bubble red boots, as she sings:
Positive Affirmations. Speaking life into myself! #DaGirls pic.twitter.com/xBH4bRbyQO
— Ciara (@ciara) February 16, 2023
This is for the girls who don’t need no man,
This is for the girls who love yourself,
This is for the girls who up and did it by themselves,
This is for the girls that’s I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T...
Ma’am.
Now don’t get me wrong, the tired congregation of Black women loves us some Ciara Princess Wilson, but we also collectively couldn’t help but notice the hypocrisy of the message of this song choice, while we have Ciara's prayer laminated, framed, and hanging on the walls in our prayer closets.
And let’s just say that social media had a lot to say about it too.
Some got straight to the point of the irony:
No Ciara, go write better lyrics. Keep beat and everything else but NO to pushing the single ,independent narrative when you are in your man's house,hands, bed and other parts of him every night NO baby
— Rebel_Woman (@rebel__woman) February 19, 2023
While others kicked us while we were down:
She telling y'all this while happily in a relationship and making this video IN HER MANS HOUSE lmao
— Black king (@chocolateking98) February 19, 2023
Some were thrilled at the overall response and were on our side:
I love how the independent ladies arent feeling it any more ... not that they arent still independent and doing them but they want hugs and dates and a lil support like they deserve and im here for it 🥰🥰🥰😍😍
— Ceeyo438 (@ceeyo438) February 20, 2023
And others welcomed the anthem:
AINT NOTHING WRONG Ciara making songs for the singles! Y’all ask for her prayer& now she helping with a single girl anthem! People complain about everything. If Ciara not your vibe then don’t comment
— Singer Laurencia ✨🦋 (@iamqueensheba) February 19, 2023
Ciara has yet to address any of the (minor) backlash as she is currently overseas serving looks throughout Paris Fashion Week.
But I have to ask, should happily married artists make single, independent women anthems?
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Featured image by Leon Bennett/Getty Images
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS