Megan Thee Stallion may be referred to by several aliases, including The Black Regina George and Tina Snow, but I’d like to suggest a new moniker — Megan Thee Icon. Many might argue that the term “icon” is largely overused, but when speaking of Megan Thee Stallion, it’s not a label that is fabulous enough to describe her talents that have caught the attention of fans across multiple generations, not just millennials. The Houston native is not only one of the fiercest voices of her generation, interweaving between multiple genres of entertainment using her vast arsenal of skills, but she’s also so much more than that. I had the opportunity to review the Detroit stop of her remarkably successful (and fun) Hot Girl Summer Tour, which proved a theory I’ve held for a while — Megan is here to stay, and any conversation surrounding hip-hop is null and void without the acknowledgment of our beloved Hot Girl Coach.
The party started well before Megan Thee Stallion graced the stage of the Little Caesars Arena to execute a variety of hit singles from her diverse catalog. As I sat patiently and excitedly for Megan to make her debut, I can’t say the same for my fellow attendees. While arena is no stranger to performances or starlets of Thee Stallion’s caliber, there was a different vibe this time around. I had never seen a crowd so diverse, as the audience was composed of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and differed on many fronts, including race, age, and body type. At first glance, it’d likely appear that these various groups of people couldn’t possibly be united for a common goal, but they were. The goal in question happened to be the opportunity to bask in the warmth and joy of the safe space that can only be curated by Megan Thee Stallion. As folks pranced across the arena in giddy anticipation for the performer, the sheer excitement in the form of camaraderie, twerking, and kindness permeated the atmosphere to provide a warm welcome fit for a queen.
Now, personally, I’m a sucker for a good opener. GloRilla opened the highly anticipated show with a robust playlist of her hits, while Detroit fan-favorite artists Skilla Baby and Peezy accompanied her. As a native Detroiter, it was beautiful to see her lend the spotlight and stage to two artists who’ve had such a profound impact on the city. As GloRilla powered through her own set, she emitted a high-impact energy that set the tone perfectly for the main attraction. The Memphis native’s abundant talent was displayed in not only the quality of her performance and stage charisma but, dually, her ability to set the tone for her colleague’s grand entrance. Despite this, however, I was not ready for Meg …
The beauty of the Hot Girl Summer Tour treads further than the glitzy costumes, energetic performances, and viral moments. The true beauty lies in witnessing the physical manifestation of a dream actualized by someone whose gifts, professionalism, and reputation have been challenged by misogyny. I was inspired when Megan appeared on the stage surrounded by stellar stage production and a squadron of backup dancers. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of bullying, slander, and other forms of mistreatment, you likely get what I mean. Seeing someone I admire weather through the storm and silence all of the naysayers, filled me with a sense of empowerment that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I wasn’t the only one, considering someone in my section boldly proclaimed, “Ya’ll said Megan couldn’t sell out an arena, ya’ll a muthaf*cking lie!” Shortly after our Hot Girl Coach’s entrance, it became clear she was worth every cent spent on an arena ticket.
After opening her set with her viral track “Hiss,” Tina Snow launched into a multitude of other popular songs, including “Megan’s Piano,” “Thot Sh*t,” “Big Ole Freak.” Her performance was spread across three acts that included several changes into stylish bodysuits and sequined costumes that were rivaled only by the stage production itself. For many artists, it can be a chore to tell a cohesive story that translates to a live performance, but it’s not something that Megan struggles with. In fact, it’s something she excels at. Megan’s ability to connect every aspect of her live shows, including the setlist, costumes, choreography, set production, and charisma, to tell a straightforward story is an art form. The point she made during this concert? She doesn’t need to rely on charts, social media, and the opinions of unqualified men to find her lane. She’s already mastered it.
It’s been almost a month since the concert, and I’m still reeling. I felt (and still do) so empowered to go relentlessly after my goals despite the obstacles that have shown up on my path. If you’re looking for a crash course on resilience and healing, you need to attend the Hot Girl Summer Tour. If you’re looking for a safe space to be yourself without any judgment, you need to attend the Hot Girl Summer Tour. I salute Megan for curating such a loving space for us Hotties to not only feel included but celebrated.
