1. Missy Elliot teaches us that sweatsuits are just as sexy.
Forget unitards and bikinis, our girl Missy can get it in sweatpants and none of us are thinking twice. Missy Elliot has not graced us with her presence and new music since her 2005 album The Cookbook Finally shheeee's baaaaack with her single and incredible video "WTF (Where They From)" featuring Pharrell. Missy reminds us now in 2015 that sexy and naked are not synonymous. And that we are most desirable when we f**k the haters and be ourselves. Best go rewrite your bars.
2. Nicki teaches us to celebrate our sexuality, and ourselves!
Our Queen Nicki Minaj teaches us embrace our sexuality, especially as women. In a world that objectifies the female form, Nicki gives all of us the pleasure of appreciating her body while never sacrificing what she has to say. On the surface, her HIT single "Anaconda" from The Pinkprint might just seem like another opportunity to share her fantastic form with the world. And we certainly aren't mad she did. But this song is pure feminism via rap. She objectifies men in her life the same way many male rappers speak about women in their songs. Nicki reminds us that men aren't the only human beings on earth with a sex drive, and that she will not be shamed for expressing hers. Take that patriarchy.
3. M.I.A. teaches us to think bigger than ourselves, and to just be real.
M.I.A.'s style has always incorporated images of political violence and injustice in her videos, and her most recent work is no exception. "Borders" released this year, was written and directed by M.I.A. herself, and her brilliance creates a heartbreaking and awakening piece of art. Done with fantastic lyrics and a kicking' beat, this rapper tells us to wake up and realize that our world will not change if we don't listen and open our eyes to all the fatalities and pain. So HA capitalist news networks, try and paint us a pretty picture. M.I.A. will tell us the truth.
4. Angel Haze teaches us that gender and sexuality are fluid.
Angel Haze identifies as Agender, meaning that they identify outside the binary male/female, and instead define their own gender on their terms. They also identify as pansexual, meaning that they are attracted to people with any gender identity. Their presence in the music industry in itself is an act of feminism, providing visibility for the gender non-conforming community, as well as pansexual identifying people. The song pictured above is "Battle Cry" ft. Sia, which tells a story of self harm and self hatred, derived from sexual abuse, and encourages to keep fighting through that pain. Their music not only brings attention to injustices against women and other people who were assigned female at birth, but also it illuminates an aspect of the LGBT experience that often exploited. Angel takes this sensational outlook and turns it on its head, talking about what it really means to love, and be in love with someone regardless of how many people end up in your bed.
5. Azealia Banks teaches us to put a bitch in their place.
After hitting the scene with her first single "212" featuring Lazy Jay, Azealia Banks has maintained her tenacity to spill the t throughout her career. She speaks her mind regarding the music industry and society alike, and let's face it, it needs to be said. Azealia's music is pure passion. She has never sacrificed her creativity for the demands of the narrow-minded music industry, and moreover, has held the music industry responsible for allowing people of color to be swept under the rug time and time again. Miss Bank$ teaches us that we all deserve the basic human right to be respected. And nothing and no one will stand in the way of that when we take control of lives.
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