Hey everyone, welcome! Rumors are swirling that Megan Thee Stallion could be teaming up with Cardi B. This buzz started with a hint from the blog The Neighborhood Talk, suggesting a collaboration in the works. Adding fuel to the fire, The Vault Uncut mentioned that they’re shooting a music video in LA with celebrity cameos lined up throughout the week.
These whispers sparked mixed reactions. While some are excited, many Nicki Minaj fans aren’t thrilled. The rivalry between Nicki and Cardi is well-known, with their fan bases often at odds. It’s created a divide where artists are expected to choose sides. But fans don’t want them to collaborate with both Nicki and Cardi.
Megan has previously worked with Nicki on “Hot Girl Summer,” a collaboration that came about naturally. Their Instagram Live interaction led to Nicki joining the track, earning Megan the Barbz’s support. However, some are now accusing Megan of switching sides by potentially teaming up with Cardi. Yet, Megan has always remained neutral and open to collaboration with both artists.
At OVO Fest, we caught a glimpse of Cardi on stage. With her connection to Nicki, could she serve as a bridge between two fiery personalities? Imagine the spectacle if Cardi and Nicki reconciled. I believe there’s ample space for all of us to shine individually; it’s about unity. Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration with Cardi isn’t about taking sides; it’s savvy business. Megan, a rapper and astute businesswoman, is focused on securing her bag. Her affiliation with Cardi makes sense, especially considering their labels’ partnership. While Nicki and Megan’s collaboration felt organic, the Cardi-Megan alliance seems more strategic, likely orchestrated by their labels. Both artists understand the mutual benefits of their collaboration. Megan knows teaming up with Cardi guarantees another hit, while Cardi recognizes Megan’s rising star power. For Cardi, this collaboration could rejuvenate her career, particularly after a slower year in 2019. The competition in the rap scene is fierce, with numerous female artists securing chart-topping hits despite the pandemic. With the right song and label support, the Cardi-Megan collaboration is poised for success.
There might be some potential backlash for Megan if she collaborates with Cardi. The Nicki Minaj fans, who have been supporting Megan, might feel betrayed because they typically don’t favor Cardi. However, it’s important to recognize that such collaborations often stem from business decisions. If Megan does team up with Cardi, it could help dispel the rumors of animosity between them. There have been ongoing speculations suggesting a rift between Megan and Cardi, fueled by incidents like allegations of Megan liking negative comments about Cardi on social media. However, it was later revealed that Megan’s YouTube page is managed by her label, not her personally. Similarly, accusations of Cardi disparaging Megan from a fake account were proven false. Some have even interpreted Megan’s comparison of Cardi to Lil Pump as a subtle shade, but I believe it was simply an analogy to highlight different styles in music. Cardi’s music leans towards the turn-up vibe, akin to Migos, while Nicki Minaj’s style is more lyrically focused, requiring attentive listening. It’s like comparing J. Cole to Lil Pump—two distinct lanes in the music industry. Personally, I don’t perceive Megan’s comment as shady; rather, she was using it to illustrate a point.
Cardi and Nicki each bring their unique styles to the rap scene, emphasizing their individuality. It’s evident that Megan and Cardi share a mutual respect, and a potential collaboration between them wouldn’t be surprising. However, it’s essential to remember that such collaborations are primarily driven by business motives rather than personal ones. Megan, like many artists, seeks to establish connections in the industry and secure financial opportunities. Similarly, Cardi recognizes Megan’s current prominence and aims to leverage it to her advantage. Ultimately, it’s a strategic move for both parties involved.
Shifting gears, let’s delve into a topic that deserves more attention. Alexandra Burke, a talented singer from the UK, deserves recognition. She hails from a musical lineage, being the daughter of the late Melissa Bell, lead singer of Soul II Soul. Burke rose to fame after winning X Factor in 2008, achieving multi-platinum success in her music career. Notably, she’s showcased her versatility by starring in prominent theater productions such as “The Bodyguard,” “Chicago” as Roxie Hart, “Sister Act: The Musical,” and “Chess.” Additionally, she showcased her dancing skills as a finalist on the UK’s beloved dance show, “Strictly Come Dancing.”
Despite Alexandra’s numerous accomplishments, she continued to encounter significant racism within the entertainment industry due to her dark skin. During an Instagram Live session a couple of weeks ago, she candidly discussed some of her distressing experiences. One instance that stands out occurred when she was just 16 years old and auditioned for the X Factor twice, once at 16 and again at 19. At 16, she advanced to the judges’ houses stage, where someone offered to sign her as an artist despite not making it through. Excited at the prospect, Alexandra followed up, only to be told, “I already have one black artist. I don’t need another one.” This rejection based on her skin color left her reeling, especially considering the promise of opportunity at such a young age.
Although Alexandra didn’t name names in her recounting, many speculate that she was referring to Simon Cowell, a judge and producer on the X Factor who also owns a label under his company Psycho Entertainment. Cowell allegedly promised to sign Alexandra after her 2005 audition but rescinded the offer upon discovering Leona Lewis, a lighter-skinned biracial singer, who subsequently won the competition the following year with great success. Alexandra faced setbacks but persevered, returning to audition in 2008 and ultimately winning the competition. A viral moment ensued when Beyoncé surprised her on stage, bolstering her popularity worldwide.
Despite her victory, Alexandra’s experiences on Cowell’s label were fraught with challenges. She recounted being told that, due to her race, she would need to work ten times harder than white artists. Such systemic racism within the industry underscores the ongoing struggle faced by artists of color like Alexandra.
You’re prohibited from wearing braids or an afro, or anything reflective of your identity. Your hair must conform to what appeals to white people so they can relate to you better. At 19, grappling with a sudden life shift, it was difficult to process being told to alter myself. The suggestion to bleach my skin was utterly absurd and heartbreaking. Enduring microaggressions, I’ve been instructed to smile more on social media to avoid appearing aggressive, and to avoid showing baby hairs as they might convey aggression. My former label dictated the type of music I could release, insisting it cater solely to a white audience. Repeatedly, I’ve been told my race would limit my success in the industry, that if I were white, I’d be more successful. This discrimination is pervasive, despite skeptics’ denial of its existence. Songwriter and producer Rico Love corroborated these experiences, revealing the label’s desire to sanitize my image and sound. I’m tempted to name names and expose those responsible. Simon Cowell’s actions are particularly suspect, echoing Gabrielle Union’s criticisms. It’s crucial to listen to Black women’s voices and not dismiss their experiences. Share your thoughts on this video below, and remember to like, comment, and subscribe. Thank you for watching.