On, April 29th, I was proud to be a Black woman.
On April 29th, I was proud to be a Texan (even though I’m not from Houston, but that’s okay).
April 29th was just a GOOD day.
“Let it be known from here on out that April 29th, 2020 marks the day Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion reminded the world what makes a proper remix." Bianca Betancourt, the writer of this article “Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion Just Released Their New “Savage Remix for COVID-19 Relief,” is right.
Sitting here today going through another depressive episode, I thought about writing about mental health issues during this time. However, I began to recall, what are the things that have really uplifted me during this time? Some things that have inspired me significantly is the artistry that has blossomed and transformed. Artists have taken to social media and television to remind the world that there is still hope even though we may be moping in our beds or literally fulfilling couch potato status. Albums have been released, shows have been airing 'virtually', remixes have been done and Twitter feeds have exploded with critiques that will forever be archived.
Rocking my hips and dancing throughout my house. I screamed and shouted the iconic lyrics, “IF YOU DONT JUMP TO PUT JEANS ON, BABY YOU DON'T FEEL MY PAIN” hitting some the TikTok dance moves that my sister taught me to the original work a few weeks prior. I had forgotten how much this hype music inspired and moved me. I had lost my spark and left behind how hip-hop and R&B hits such as this one, made me feel so powerful before I entered my COVID slump, especially a work made by artists I have always admired throughout the different stages of my life.
April 29th was probably one of the most fulfilling days during this quarantine, and it is a day that most black women will probably deem as “lit” and empowering. Two artists Beyoncé and Meg Thee Stallion dropped a remix many of us did not see coming, of Meg Thee Stallions original song “Savage,” and it wasn’t just any remix, it was an actual “redo” of the piece. Meg changed about half of her original lyrics, along with Beyonce's vocal prowess and deep and powerful tones.
For a song that did crazily superb in the charts, I was pleasantly surprised that they even chose to release it during this time, let alone give all of the proceeds to the Bread of Life Food Bank, “which is supporting vulnerable community member in [Meg] and Beyoncé’s home town. ” Instead of taking all the funds for themselves, this iconic and historical hit will forever go down as a philanthropic legend.
Some of my favorite lyrics from the song:
"Please don't get me hyped (I'm hyped), write my name in ice (Ice)
Can't argue with this lazy b****s, I just raised my price
I'm a boss, I'm a leader, I pull up in my two-seater
And my momma was a savage, think I got this s**t from Tina"
Beyoncé also 'showed' out doing something that she doesn't normally do: rap, which was already a treat in itself.
On the flip side, another beloved hip hop pair also dominated the scene; Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj, performed the “Say So” remix hit #1 on the charts, giving Doja her first top chart hit.
Beyoncé and Nicki, who are both lightyears ahead of Meg and Doja in their careers, really promoted the talents of Meg and Doja. This has been one of the most beautiful aspects of these remixes, especially 'Savage'. It is not just that the fact that thee music moguls have “stepped down” to partner with these up and coming artists, who will eventually step to replace their superiors (even though Beyoncé and Nicki were both pioneers in their genres), but that there was a huge aspect of empowerment and encouragement that came along with it. No one will ever look at these two artists the same. These collaborations showed that, well, we have each other’s backs, not only has artists but as Black women even in a time of crisis, which has caused a lack of motivation and productivity for many. In the music world, black women are in a sector all on their own, and male artists are usually the ones to dominate the scene. It signified so much unity during this uncertain time. It has signified strength, and something in my being just felt nourished hearing these Black Queens come together and dominate the charts for the first time in a long time.
This will forever be a memory that I will cherish, probably because it has triggered other moments where I felt so empowered during a low time. Now, whenever I feel upset or unmotivated, when I play either of those remixes, especially the Savage on Spotify, my system is already triggered with 'bad b***h' energy and suddenly, the isolation during COVID doesn't feel too gloomy.
10 years from now, I’ll probably text one of my friends or ask my sister, “Hey, remember that Savage remix?” THAT was a BOP- and then replay it several times. I will definitely be in another circumstance, hopefully, one that is more pleasant than these trying times. Perhaps, I will perform the muscle memories of the TikTok moves that are forever ingrained in my arms, waist, and hips. I’m sure the sensory feelings I experience when I play the song will be similar because a remix like that is timeless.
Give it a BOP!
Betancourt, Bianca, 2020, Apr 29, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion Just Released Their New “Savage Remix for COVID-19 Relief, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a32319882/beyonce-megan-thee-stallion-savage-remix/
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