Culture | May 12th, 2020

For the First Time Ever – Four Black Women Lead the Billboard Charts

By: Madeline Smith

Black women are rising in every way possible, whether it be in politics, the film industry or in this case, music. Four admirable Black queens have kicked off the week by making quite a stamp on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. 

The OGs of the music industry, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj — in alphabetical order so don’t try to put the two queens against each other — have partnered up with two of the current hottest artists, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. And, all four of them have landed the top two spots on the Billboard charts. I’m sure you’ve heard both of these songs on your “For You” page on Tik Tok and down your Instagram timeline.

Doja Cat’s song “Say So” featuring Nicki Minaj has recently landed No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.  The remix featuring the “Barbie” was released, May 1. In just a little over a week, the remixed song rose from No. 6 to  the No.1 spot. 

The H-town duo, unsurprisingly,  also made their appearance on the Hot 100 songs chart, with the No. 2 spot. Megan Thee Stallion’s remix to her hit song “Savage” featuring Beyonce, claimed its spot, high, on the charts as well.

These four women aren’t just making music, but they are shaping the history of the music industry and fans are raving on twitter.

For the first time in BILLBOARD HISTORY, 4 black women occupy the top 2 of the Hot 100… #NickiMinaj, #DojaCat, #Beyonce and #MeganTheeStallion!!! Congrats ladies! pic.twitter.com/n75BdkFi9u

— Mike Adam (@MikeAdamOnAir) May 11, 2020

This is a major coup, not only for these four Black women, but for all of the fans supporting them. It’s empowering to see such prominent women in the music industry achieve what is well-deserved. Some of the artists have expressed their gratitude via Instagram and twitter. 

“Hot girl Meg” stated in the caption under her instagram post of the Hot 100 Chart: “HOTTIES WE JUST HIT NUMBER 2 ON THE HOT 100,” followed by a clique of flame emojis. “We’ve come so far. I promise to keep working hard and getting better every time! Thank y’all for growing with me. Look at this girl power!”

I’m happy to be apart of the history that was made today 😭😭😭

— HOT GIRL MEG (@theestallion) May 11, 2020

And this triumph is definitely nothing short of girl power at its absolute best. 

Nicki Minaj displayed a token of her gratitude under an Instagram post as well. She initially addressed her fans for the streams that ultimately landed her in the top spot on the charts, followed by a humble statement directed to Doja Cat.

“Dear @dojacat, thanks for trusting me with your baby. Hope I lived up to your expectations. You’re so extremely talented and so deserving of this moment.”

If Nicki’s verses didn’t live up to Doja Cat’s expectations, they definitely lived up to mine. Her clever verbiage and punchlines never disappoint. 

Although these four women are all currently “winning,” of course the “Beyhive” and the “Barbz” had to fight for dominance. Beyonce and Nicki’s adroit punchlines in the high charted songs garnered plenty of attention from each artist’s fandom. 

Earlier this week articles and YouTube videos were published claiming that Nicki’s witty lyrics were subliminals in response to Beyonce’s verse on “Savage.”

In the verse Beyonce stated: “If you want to see some real a**, baby, here’s your chance.”

In Nicki’s verse on “Say So” she posed the question, “Why you talkin’ bout who body fake? With all the fillers in your face, you just full of hate.”  Following this line she made an ambiguous statement about someone (whom we don’t know) not being able to keep their man at home. 

Rap music is infamous for its lyrics being heavily saturated with cryptic shadiness. Therefore it will most likely never be known who Nicki or Beyonce was referencing in those lyrics;  quite frankly it doesn’t matter. Because now, they are both sharing the spotlight in this history-making moment.

Man, I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be a part of this kind of history. I love all the girls involved. It just feels like an epic moment to witness & be a part of @ the same damn time. ♥️😘🦄 https://t.co/RSH9GIvMnn

— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) May 7, 2020

Although Nicki never fully dispelled this rumor, it is clear that she is proud of all of the women involved which is empowering. 

These four women, Beyonce, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj have clearly made history. In this current time, it is refreshing to see these women, literally, rise to the top of the charts. I’ll definitely be performing my choreo, to both of these songs, on Tik Tok.