Lady Leshurr Queen Speech Analysis

The UK’s Lady Leshurr’s song “Queen Speech” ultimately celebrates black womanhood and independence, just like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj’s “Feeling Myself,” that also celebrates feminine dominance, resisting the typical white patriarchy. Female rappers have always been existent, however, are less successful and known than their male counterparts in this industry merely because hip hop culture is stereotypically masculinized due to its powerful and tough messages its music sends, qualities that women, especially black women, are denied in white patriarchal society. This has made it necessary for female hip hop artists like Lady Leshurr, Beyonce, and Nicki Minaj to work extra hard in their pursuits to become respected within the hip hop industry. It was women like Cindy Campbell who helped evolve the youth party culture because they “challenge the misogynistic and deprecating sentiments and images in gangsta rap through videos and lyrics that promote empowerment” (Orejuela, 20125, pg. 168). All these women are what Keyes would describe as the “fly girl artist” for their fashionable appearance, and is ultimately a woman “who wants you to see her name, her game, and her ability,” as expressed in …show more content…
346). Sex references are also featured in these songs because it is used as a “hip hop feminism that champions both a critical discourse around gender in hip hop and the pleasure associated with flaunting the very female sexuality that some hip hop artists regularly objectify.” (346). This strategically redirects the black female gaze back at the objectifying audience to reclaim their bodies and humanity as black