Valentine’s track captures a cultural shift within the genre of hip-hop amidst its 50th anniversary. The musical sound that was birthed out of the streets of the Bronx has become one of the most impactful styles of American music, and although women have always been a part of it, their role within it has often reflected the ongoing barriers that exist in the music industry.
However, with pioneers such as Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, Roxanne Shante, Foxy Brown and more, the glass ceiling slowly chipped away, opening the doors for newcomers such as Valentine, Ice Spice, Latto and more.
“I think now is the time when women can really embrace their sexuality without being judged,” Valentine explains. “In the past, you had to play it a little more clean or just sprinkle it in. We as females like to feel pretty, and I think we all like to feel s—.”
