(ThySistas.com) With Women’s History Month quickly coming to an end, I feel it is necessary to share a few powerful messages delivered by black women to black women as well as to our communities in hip hop. I truly feel we’ve been rocked to sleep by women entertainers singing and rapping about nothingness that we’ve actually forgotten how notorious the black woman has been in speaking truth to power and effecting change within ourselves and in our community. I hear so many saying Beyonce’s “Formation” inspired them and made them proud to be black. That’s wonderful no doubt! But I do wonder, what in the world did you women grow up listening to? I’m an 80s baby and hip hop lover so I grew up under Queen Latifah, YoYo, Mc Lyte, Eve, The Lady of Rage, Mia X and so many others. All I know is black woman pride!
Today we’re discussing messages from powerful, thought leaders in our community from whose music still makes a difference in the hearts, minds and souls of those who take heed and listen.
1. CEO Sekhmet – White Man’s B*tch: This young revolutionary minded sister has upset many black men but even more black women. Formerly known as Aisha Sekhmet, CEO Sekhmet speaks truth to power in this controversial anthem which she created after hearing Yo Gotti’s “5 Star Bitch“. Interestingly, women were ruthless in their attempt to destroy CEO Sekhmet character due to her gutter, creative, aggressive approach to exposing the shortcomings of black men and women. All in one sone, CEO Sekhmet discusses black economics or rather the lack their of, and our craving to invest our money into anything except black owned business. CEO Sekhmet discusses black on black crime and perhaps the most touchy of all subject – White Jesus! Before ending, Sekhmet questions “How the f**k you free nigga with your brain against the devils trigger?”. I’m still waiting on the answer…
2. Queen Latifah feat. Monie Love – Ladies First: I remember hearing this song as a little girl and just feeling so 
supreme. So often we as women forget that we are ladies first, this is not to say we shouldn’t assist our brothers but it is we who are responsible for breaking the stereotypes applied to us. Queen Latifah mentions that women are not footstools for the opposite sex, yet we have moved far from this concept in today’s society. We have reduced our worth from that of a team mate to a sideline cheerleader. This melody, the lyrics, the beat, the video and the women blend so perfectly.
3. YoYo – Black Pearl: This one brings tears to my eyes as I recall bouncing around the house as a 6th grader dancing with the girls in the video and singing “black pearl, precious little girl, let me lift you up where you belong. I got ya“. YoYo delivered such an empowering message to the black pearls with a gentle chin chick, speaking truthfully about issues affecting black women and reminding women of their personal responsibilities in life.
4. Queen Latifah, YoYo, TLC, MC Lyte, Nefertiti, Salt-N-Pepa, Patra, Meshell Ndegocello – Freedom: Now this joint right here, whew! First of all you have more than 10 thought provoking, talented, powerful, creative sisters coming together working their black girl magick. This video and song is the epitome of sisterhood, I often wonder if we will see a powerful, uplifting collaboration of black women music makers in the near future. Every single verse in this song is exceptional although Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes verse stands out on multiple level as she spits “My only chance of being free is to fly within me and its illegal to kill a f**king eagle, a bird is never more important than my people…”. Oh, let me add the video is pure brillance to say the least.
5. Shawnna – Cant Break Me: I absolutely love this song and the healing messages brought forth by Shawnna who discusses the relationship, motherhood and career issues women face in our lifetime. She speaks of how its difficult for women to find support especially in the music industry and overcoming the obstacles presented in life. This is my go to when I’m feeling defeated.
6. Salt-N-Pepa – Ain’t Nuthin But a She Thing: It’s a SHE thang and its all in me, I can be anything that I wanna be! Yeeesssss, Salt-N-Pepa have always been one of my favorite groups. This song and video touches on so many aspects women face even showing a man attempting to rape a woman in a short skirt and getting his ass whooped in the process. Pepa spits “When I’m aggressive then I’m a bitch, when I got attitude you call me a witch, treat me like a sex object..” and Salt comes through ever so cool with “Put me to the test yes I will get ill, sensitive and sweet and all that good stuff but when its time to get rough baby I’m rough enough“. Truly these women let us know its not a man’s world and that its us women who lay the foundation.
7. Eve – Love Is Blind: “What kind of love from a nigga would black ya eye, what kind of love from a nigga every night make you cry, what kind of love from a nigga make you wish he would die?” This anthem highlighted domestic violence in the black community with a message that reminded women that love is not pain, love is not being verbally, physically or emotionally abused and also shedding light on the fact that many women lose their lives in domestic violence relationships. There are women who equate abuse with love, Eve sent such a loving yet aggressive message to women who may be confliced with such thoughts.