Megan Thee Stallion Dropped Her Fire New Album & Here's What You Need To Know

If you haven't heard of Megan Thee Stallion, it's time to grab some stirrups and hop on the bandwagon before it's too late, because judging from the internet's reaction to her new album, Fever, it's gonna be a long ride and a hot summer for this sex-positive female rapper.
Megan Pete began writing raps at the age of 14 and ultimately went viral after participating in a cypher at her former HBCU, Prairie View A&M. Although at the time, Meagan was studying to earn a degree in Health Administration, God had other plans.
By 2016, the H-Tine hottie had expanded her fanbase and signed her first record deal, but it wasn't until 2019 when she re-released her slept-on hit 2018 single, "Big Ole Freak", that the world finally started to realize that the now 24-year-old lyricist would be a force to be reckoned with.
Since then, Megan has earned widespread acclaim from industry legends like Drake, Trina, and Juicy J., and her new album has now made it to the No. 3 spot on the iTunes hip/hop rap albums chart, and the top 10 in all genres. From the looks of it, this big ole freak isn't letting up on her hustle anytime soon and in honor of her first major debut album, here are a few fast facts you should know about Megan Thee Stallion.
Big Ole H-Tine Hottie
Houston, are y'all putting something in the water? Because with hotties like Beyoncé and Meagan coming out of the city and taking over the industry, I might just have to make a move.
Megan Thee Stallion was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Her alternate alias, Tina Snow, was derived from late Southern rap legend and fellow Houston native, Pimp C, who called himself Tony Snow, and she puts on for her city every chance she gets. Last night for her album release, she took Fever back to her hometown and set the city on fire. The rapper turned a local club into the "Hottie Ranch", complete with a white horse and a stallion on top.
She Get It From Her Mama
Megan's mom, Holly Thomas, died from a brain tumor only a month before her album release and was also a hardcore rapper who went by the name Holly-Wood. Instead of taking a young Megan to daycare, Holly would bring Megan to her recording sessions and the would-be rapper fell in love with the craft. She told ESSENCE:
"I knew I wanted to be a rapper when I was, like, 5. My mom was a rapper. I would go to the studio with her, and that definitely showed me I can do this, I wanna do this. I remember my first time ever listening to rappers like Pimp C and Biggie, and being like, 'All this would sound super cool if a girl was saying it,' so I gotta go do this."
Late and early mornings in the studio with her mom ultimately inspired Megan to start writing her own raps at 14. Although Holly initially felt that Megan's writing was a little too suggestive, she eventually saw that the young lyricist had genuine talent. When Megan launched own music career, her mom was by her side every step of the way, acting as both her manager and her BFF until she passed. The rapper told Billboard that she copes with her mom's death through prayer.
"I definitely have to pray and spend a lot of time by myself when I can. Sometimes, when you're doing too much, things get overwhelming. So I just have to calm myself down and think, 'What would my mama want me to do?'"
Schoolgirl Meg
Megan is adamant about the power of education in her raps and was actually discovered at an HBCU. After taking a break from school to pursue her music career, Megan returned to pursue her degree and is currently a junior at Texas Southern University where she's continuing her education in health administration. She told Refinery29:
"I went through too much with school to just go ahead and forget it because I got this deal. No. It's been too long to just drop out now."
Inspired by her mother's untimely death as a result of brain cancer, Megan has plans to one day open up assisted-living facilities in her hometown. She explained:
"I really want to open up some assisted-living facilities in Houston. So when I get done with college and everything, I'll have… made so much money from my music, I will be able to pay for what I really wanna open up,"
A Stallion IRL
To every woman who has ever felt uncomfortable for being tall, thick, and eye-catching, Hot Girl Meg is here to remind the world that being a sexy Amazonian princess has always been a thing.
Standing 5'10'' with all curves and no breaks, Megan The Stallion is a big fine woman in real life who doesn't care if rocking a pair of heels intimidates you.
During a since-deleted video with DJ Smallz, Megan was asked if she's "always had this body" and the internet clapped back in a major way. Although many felt that his question was inappropriate and totally out of line, Megan doesn't sweat the small sh*t. She said:
"I'm a pretty open person, and very little can embarrass me. So him asking me about my body is not something that is a surprise. It's been happening all my life. I've been like this, like, forever."
"I didn't get offended. Like, if the whole interview was that, I would've been like, 'I'm getting out of here,' you know? But I wasn't offended. I don't let stuff like that get to me."
She's All About Sex (Positive) Talk
Thanks to social media, Megan has been able to use her platform to promote positivity. Whether it comes to your body, sexuality, or even how you react to others, the rapper has been intentional about changing the narrative when it comes to women's bodies and their sexualities. Hot Girl Meg is on a mission to grab the rap industry by the balls and remind men that, despite the misogynistic political overtones that exist in this country, women can be sex-positive and still have full agencies over their bodies.
Ultimately, Megan's goal is to encourage women to do whatever TF they want to do. Whether that comes to your body, sexuality, career, or lifestyle choices, Megan encourages every woman to fully realize the hottie inside of them and live their best lives.
"Like, [I'm] not gonna say, 'Get out here and do everything I'm talking about.' But you get the message of the songs: Be confident; don't let a man try to run your life. You run his life. Do you know what I'm saying? Just be free; that's just really what I like to support. Get your degree if you want to. I'm not saying you got to, but I'm just saying, like, it'd be a good idea to do that."
No Rap Beef
If you're ever waiting on some petty rap beef to emerge between Megan and another female rapper, keep waiting. It won't happen. In an interview, she explained that although women are competitive by nature, she wants to set an example for other women that there's room at the top for all of us.
"I feel like since, like, forever, it has only been, like, one female rapper at a time. And naturally, women are competitive. So I feel like, without beef, hip-hop probably wouldn't even be what it is, so it's good to have, like, a little friendly competition here and there. I feel like eventually, we'll all realize that we're not trying to cross into each other's lane. Just because we might be rapping about some of the same things, we're not doing it in the same way. There's enough room for all of us to eat. So as soon as we can get that together, then we'll be all right."
You can check out Megan's new album on Spotify and iTunes!
Featured image by Giphy
- Megan Thee Stallion - Wikipedia ›
- Megan Thee Stallion & the Art of Confidence - DJBooth ›
- Megan Thee Stallion Reveals Her Mother Died From A 'Brain Tumor ... ›
- The Thrill of Megan Thee Stallion's Real-Time Rise | Pitchfork ›
- Megan Thee Stallion's 'Fever': A Scintillating Debut - The Atlantic ›
- Megan Thee Stallion: Why The 'Tina Snow' Rapper Is Blowing Up ›
This Is How To Keep 'Holiday Season Stress' From Infecting Your Relationship
Hmph. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there is something really weird happening in the fall season air (because winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21) that cuddle season is in full swing while break-up season is as well. In fact, did you know that break-ups are so popular during the holiday season that December 11 is deemed Break-Up Day?
The reasons why relationships shift around this time vary; however, I did both roll my eyes and chuckle when I read that a very popular one is because it’s an easy way to get out of getting one’s significant other a Christmas present. SMDH.
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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It’s probably been over the past 2-3 years that I’ve become hyper-focused when it comes to applying certain chemical exfoliants known as acids to my skin. Personally, I’ve come to really appreciate ones like mandelic acid and hyaluronic acid because they have a way of softening my skin, brightening it up and really evening out my complexion overall.
In fact, on my skin, they have been so effective that they have caused me to wonder what would happen if I applied some of them to my hair too — and boy, was it an experiment that paid off big time!
If, while on your continual journey to get the best out of your own tresses, you’d like to learn how to get them healthier than it’s ever been, I’ve got seven acids that are typically known for skin use that can be just as beneficial to your hair as well.
1. Salicylic Acid
When it comes to your skin, salicylic acid is beta-hydroxy acid that is great for your skin if you’re looking for something that will exfoliate it, clear out your pores and dissolve dead skin cells. In fact, this is why it’s an acid that is quite popular when it comes to treating acne.
Your hair will enjoy salicylic acid because, if you’re looking to remove product build-up, you want to soothe an itchy or irritated scalp or you’ve got some dandruff flakes that are totally driving you up the wall, salicylic acid has the ability to treat all of this. Either purchasing a shampoo that contains this ingredient or adding it to your favorite scalp scrub is probably the most effective way to get the most out of it.
Just make sure that if your scalp is sensitive or dry that you approach with caution. In these instances, it could end up irritating your scalp more than helping it out, so use a very little bit in the beginning to make sure that it vibes with you.
2. Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that can help to even out your skin tone as well as slow down the signs of aging. The properties in it help to do this by reducing hyperpigmentation and boosting collagen production in your skin as well as keeping it hydrated.
Why is it great for your locks? For one thing, lactic acid is considered to be a humectant. This means that it pulls water from the air so that your hair is able to remain moisturized.
Another thing that makes it a winner is the fact that lactic acid breaks down dead skin cells on your scalp (so that your hair follicles are able to flourish), it can help to soften and detangle your hair (making it a helpful addition on your wash days) and it also helps to protect your tresses from heat styling tools and UV damage. Applying a hair rinse that’s made up of part lactic acid and part water can work wonderfully (so long as you apply it once a month, tops; more than that might be too “intense” for your hair strands).
3. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid that is actually made from sugar. Your skin will adore it because it smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves the texture of your skin, gently exfoliates, clears your pores and brightens up your complexion overall.
The reasons why you should consider this acid for your hair is because it helps to keep your scalp youthful (and yes, there is such a thing; check out “Your Scalp Ages Six Times Faster Than Your Face. Why It Matters.”), removes excess sebum (that could be clogging up your hair follicles) and it helps to keep your hair moisturized. Your best bet here is to make it a part of your pre-shampooing ritual.
4. Succinic Acid
Succinic acid is an acid that is made from sugar cane and contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it doesn’t exactly exfoliate (like many of these other acids do), it can still be beneficial to your skin when it comes to reducing the kind of irritation that is associated with eczema, decreasing the bacteria that leads to breakouts and keeping your skin pretty hydrated.
As far as your hair goes, this is an acid that is worth trying out because it helps to balance the sebum that is on your scalp, remove dead skin and product build-up that can irritate your scalp and clog your hair follicles and, succinic acid is also beneficial when it comes to reducing dandruff and helping to prevent hair loss. Most people tend to apply this as a serum.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
I’ve officially sung the praises of hyaluronic acid on this platform before. One example is via the article, “Why Your Skin, Hair, And Nails Need Hyaluronic Acid Like...Yesterday.” On the skin tip, hyaluronic acid is great because it deeply hydrates your skin, contains anti-aging properties and can even bring relief to vaginal (including vulvar) dryness.
Your hair will adore this particular acid because it aids moisture to it (including your hair follicles), will help to improve your hair’s texture and it also soothes scalp dryness, nurtures the cuticles of your tresses and decreases frizz. Using a serum rich in this acid as a pre-poo or as a leave-in conditioner is recommended.
6. Azelaic Acid
If you’ve never heard of azelaic acid before, this is your lucky day. It’s a dicarboxylic acid that, when it comes to skincare (and hair care) products, is usually synthetic. Anyway, if you are looking for a way to reduce inflammation, even skin tone after a breakout or if you want to use an exfoliant that will improve the texture of your skin overtime, you might want to give this acid a shot.
This one makes the list as far as your hair is concerned because, if achieving more inches is your current focus, azelaic acid might come in handy. That’s because it is able to strengthen your hair, thicken your strands and also stimulate hair growth from within your hair follicles.
7. Glutamic Acid
Glutamic acid is actually a type of amino acid. Skin-wise, it’s great for deeply hydrating your skin as well as protecting it from pollutants and damaging UV rays. Also, if you’re looking for an acid that treats skin dryness or “tightness,” this could be the answer to your prayers.
Since glutamic acid is also considered to be a humectant, it’s another acid that can moisturize your hair. As a result, it can decrease breakage while helping your hair to feel smooth and look shiny.
BONUS: Amino Acids
Speaking of amino acids and hair, please try to keep some amino acids in your diet at all times. The reason why is because, since your hair is made up of mostly protein (keratin, to be exact), amino acids are pretty darn effective when it comes to helping you to maintain the overall health and well-being of your hair.
Ones to prioritize include proline (it boosts collagen so that your hair strands can maintain flexibility); arginine (it increases blood flow to your hair follicles so that they can receive the nutrients that they need); cysteine (it helps to keep your hair follicles healthy); alanine (it helps your system to produce more collagen), and isoleucine (it strengthens the tissues that help to make up your hair strands). All of these are available in supplement form or you can use Google to see which foods contain them.
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Although it might initially seem odd to apply acid to your hair, as you can see, certain ones will work miracles for it. So, test them out to see which one tickles your fancy.
Hell, since they work for your skin as well — it’s a two-for-one deal that is worth every penny!
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