9781422270868

Megan Thee

Stallion

Dua Lipa Lizzo Megan Thee Stallion Adele

Billie Eilish Harry Styles Lady Gaga Lil Nas X Adam Levine Ariana Grande Ed Sheeran Shawn Mendes Taylor Swift

Megan Thee

Stallion

Greg Bach

Mason Crest Miami

Mason Crest PO Box 221876 Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2024 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4736-5

ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4732-7 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7086-8 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Bach, Greg, author. Title: Megan Thee Stallion / Greg Bach. Description: Miami : Mason Crest, 2024. | Series: Pop music stars | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2023008892 | ISBN 9781422247365 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422247327 (set) | ISBN 9781422270868 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Megan Thee Stallion, 1995---Juvenile literature. | Singers--United States--Biography--Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC ML3930.M415 B25 2024 | DDC 782.42164092 [B]--dc23/20230223

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023008892 Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Production: Crafted Content, LLC (www.craftedcontentllc.com)

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Contents BREAKTHROUGH

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CHAPTER 1: A STAR IS BORN

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CHAPTER 2: GREATEST MOMENTS

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CHAPTER 3: BEHIND THE CURTAIN

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CHAPTER 4: BRAND MEGAN THEE STALLION

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CHAPTER 5: MODERN MEGASTAR

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SERIES GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

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FURTHER READING

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INTERNET RESOURCES

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INDEX

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY & CREDITS

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Key Icons to Look For

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND: These words, with their easy-to-understand definitions, will increase readers’ understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. SIDEBARS: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. RESEARCH PROJECTS: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. SERIES GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

Breakthrough Megan Thee Stallion’s career was drifting toward greatness from the beginning—thanks to an early spree of sizzling songs and viral videos—but it was the release of “Savage” in 2020 that carried her to the front of the long and impressive line of renowned and revered rappers operating in that space today. Charismatic and colorful, and oozing confidence and cool, the Houston rapper known by nicknames like the H-town Hottie and Hot Girl Meg was at her breathtaking best performing the 2-minute and 35-second musical marvel that quickly became one of the most listened to and chatted about songs of the year. Much like her career, which has been charging along in the fast lane, “Savage” evolved in high-velocity fashion, too. Megan pieced it together in the unlikely span of just a couple of hours. The track became a monster hit that fans, still years later, simply can’t listen to, move to, and sing along to enough. “Savage” is the second track on Suga , her third extended play and much-loved album. The song shines the spotlight on female empowerment, self-confidence, and inner strength, which are characteristics Megan has

embodied from the outset of her career. Flexing her creative genius, the powerful and pulsating lyrics drip with catchy words and phrases—“classy” and “sassy” and “moody” and “nasty”—that

millions of fans know, adore, and sing along to every chance they get. At times veering into raunchy but remaining relatable, the song’s message resonates that the journey to happiness for women doesn’t require male accompaniment.

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Megan Thee Stallion

Bonding with Beyonc é

When the one and only Beyoncé, former lead singer of Destiny’s Child , hopped on the remix, it rocketed to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, propelled by two of the most vibrant voices on the planet. It fared great at the Grammys, as the remix won Best Rap Performance and Best

Rap Song while also being nominated for Record of theYear. “Savage” and its remixed version were magnets for a bundle of other acclaimed awards, also winning the Viewers’ Choice Award at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards, Best Collaboration at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, and Best Hip-Hop Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. The women also won NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Hip-Hop/ Rap Song and Outstanding Duo, Group, or Collaboration; they were awarded the Rhythm and Bars Award at the Soul Train Music Awards; and Rolling Stone ranked the remix sixth on its list of the Top 100 songs of 2020.

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 Breakthrough

Fan Favorite “Savage” has been an all-important companion on Megan Thee Stallion’s vault into the spotlight, a signature and cherished song on her setlists whenever she takes the stage. Audiences anxiously await it, cheer loudly for it, and dance, sway, head bob, and sing along to it the moment it begins. Megan busted it out on her Saturday Night Live debut, she bumped up the tempo of it for a snazzy version she performed on the runway during the first season finale of the HBO Max ballroom competition Legendary, and she rocked a scorching performance of it in the desert for the BET Awards. The talented rapper also performed it at the 63 rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2021—her debut on one of the biggest nights in show business. Descending nine golden steps to arrive on stage, Megan delivered a memorable performance of her signature hit—a night that would be symbolic of a glowing career. Using Greatness for Good Some of Megan Thee Stallion’s many charming traits include her genuine glee in sharing the spotlight with her peers, all for the sake of creating magical music, and her humongous heart, displayed through her penchant for helping others every chance she gets. Uniting with Queen Bey on the “Savage Remix” checked both those boxes as Megan blasted out her joy

over working with an industry icon on her social media. Additionally, all the money the video generated was funneled to a local Houston nonprofit that provided much-needed food and supplies to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a day of the song’s release, hundreds of people were inspired to step up and lend a hand with donations. The dynamic duo chose the nonprofit for its focus on the Houston community, and Beyoncé had ties to the organization’s founder as they grew up attending the same church.

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Megan Thee Stallion

“Savage” Dance Craze One of Megan’s many fans dialed up the heat even more on the sensational song that had snagged the public’s attention when she introduced the #savagechallenge on social media. What began as a post on social media encouraging others to mimic her dance moves to “Savage ‘’ and post their videos evolved into much more, becoming a viral phenomenon with people around the world doing “Savage’’ moves – some much better than others! Big-time stars hopped in on the action, too, adding their own creative flair, including Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Normani, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, and Queen Naija, among many others. Megan, who loves connecting with and interacting with her fans, joined in on all the fun, too. She posted an entry on her Instagram page showing her dancing in her kitchen while a bare-footed friend busted moves behind her, standing on a countertop. The #savagechallenge took place while much of the world was in social isolation, confined to their homes during the pandemic, so

Megan’s music provided a fun and much-needed diversion for so many whose lives were in turmoil.

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 Breakthrough

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND cypher —a gathering of rappers performing unrehearsed lyrics one at a time fraught — filled with or likely to result in something undesirable incarcerated —imprisoned or confined periphery —the outer limits or edge of an area or object voluptuous —suggesting sensual pleasure by fullness and beauty of form

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Megan Thee Stallion

A STAR CHAPTER 1

Elite Entertainer Ever since “Savage” struck gold—with the remix ascending to that cherished and hard-to-land perch atop the Billboard charts while wowing fans worldwide—it perfectly punctuated Megan Thee Stallion’s speedy arrival as one of today’s must-see and most beloved entertainers. Real, raw, and downright remarkable, she continues to amaze and amuse, laying down lyrics that crackle with energy and emotion, and at times, making even the hardest core rap fans blush. Operating with a depth of talent that is seemingly endless and rarely seen, coupled with a ferocious and relentless work ethic, Megan just keeps finding ways of producing a stunning stream of music and videos that critics can’t stop talking about and fans can’t stop streaming, listening to, and gushing over. Still in her 20s, she appears destined to become one of the greatest rappers of all time, joining the likes of Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, Eminem, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Kanye West, and others, who have blazed a trail of brilliance. Musical Mom Megan Jovon Ruth Pete was born on February 15, 1995, in San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas. She grew up in a love-filled home under the watchful eyes and caring hearts of her mom, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her father, Joseph Pete, Jr., was incarcerated during her IS BORN

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A STAR IS BORN

Although Megan was born in San Antonio,Texas, her mother moved them to Houston shortly after giving birth.

elementary school years. Later, upon his release, he gradually reconnected with his daughter and became an influential and positive force in Megan’s life until his death during her mid-teen years. Megan spent her childhood years growing up in South Park, a Houston neighborhood where drug dealing, gang fighting, and drive-by shootings occurred all too frequently. She encountered some bullying during those early elementary school years, too, an alarming issue that has spiked in recent years around the country and led to a lot of serious mental health issues for kids who have been traumatized by bullying, both in-person and online. Her mom recognized the severity of the situation and addressed it before it had a chance to escalate and create further problems. She taught Megan some valuable lessons during that period in her young life about the importance of standing up for yourself and not allowing the hurtful words or actions of others to smother confidence and self-esteem. The young rapper listened and latched onto her mother’s words, which have been guiding factors in her life ever since. They are also a part of the messages she shares with others in her non-stop efforts to help empower women to confidently live their lives while embracing who they are. “I feel like off the strength that my mom was a rapper, and the music that her and my dad put in my ear as a child, it was bound to happen. Me watching her write and me watching her go in the studio and lay her verses down. Just to see how dedicated she was, that was normal to me. That just became the thing that I saw around my house.”

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Megan Thee Stallion

While some of the neighborhood streets were fraught with danger, inside those family walls was the making of a megastar. Megan’s mom was Holly Thomas, better known to many in the area by her rapping stage name Holly Wood. She would often bring Megan along to the recording studio while she worked, providing her with a peek behind the scenes of all that goes into the process of making music. Megan watched. She listened. She learned. She took it all in: her mom’s work ethic and commitment to her craft, the endless writing and re-writing of lyrics to get them so they flowed off the tongue just right, and finding the right beats to blend in perfectly with those carefully crafted words. At home, rap music frequently filled the house. Some of the early go-to favorites were NewYork rapper Biggie Smalls, Pimp C, southern rap duo UGK (UnderGround Kingz) that featured Bun B and Pimp C, and hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia. Soon, those trips to the studio evolved into battle rapping sessions along the drive, where daughter and mom bounced lyrics off the car windows, trying to outdo the other while challenging each other to be better and more creative. Throughout the long and rich history of music, many famous singers were introduced to the craft through the careers of their parents, going back decades to Tony Award-winner Liza Minnelli, daughter of Judy Garland, star of the original Wizard of Oz movie; all the way through to more recent times with Miley Cyrus, daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus. During her middle school years, Megan was captain of the cheerleading team and a member of the dance team, but rap was always pulling at her heart. When she would see a group of boys involved in a rap battle, her mind would begin to whirl, and those creative juices started flowing. Words and verses would form in her head. She was always looking to keep her skills sharp, so even as she watched from the periphery , she was cultivating a skill set that now has few equals.

“Believe it or not, I used to be a little shy. I never wanted anybody to know that I could even rap.”

By the time she picked up her high school diploma, Megan was already turning heads on the Houston rap scene. In 2016, she released some of her

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A STAR IS BORN

Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus are a modern day example of one generation following the next with singing careers.

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Megan Thee Stallion

mixtapes on SoundCloud and generated quite a bit of buzz. At the urging of a friend, Megan went to a local cypher , where, as the only female participant, she out-performed more than 20 local male artists and turned the gathering into a viral sensation. As her career gathered steam, she wanted a bold stage name, which she eventually chose to match her tall (she stands five feet ten inches) and imposing figure. During her teen years, she was often called a stallion, a slang term sometimes used in the south in reference to voluptuous women. In summer 2016, Megan released an eight-song mixtape to SoundCloud called Rich Ratchet and later produced a freestyle video, “Stalli,” which showcased her bubbling talents and now has more than 12 million views on YouTube. She inked a deal with 1501 Certified Entertainment in 2018 and released the 10-song Tina Snow EP. Tina Snow is one of the alter egos she uses, along with Suga and Hot Girl Meg. Soon after, her hard-hitting “Freak Nasty” video landed and continued her momentum. Her 2019 song “Big Ole Freak” generated even more fanfare as her first big hit, reaching No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100. This success was driven by the twerking challenge Megan issued on her social media accounts after twerking at a local Houston gas station. Called the #BigOleFreakChallenge, fans twerked at gas stations and shared their exploits on social media.

Megan is notorious for twerking in her videos and live shows.

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A STAR IS BORN

Talented Trio Megan Thee Stallion has several alter egos — Tina Snow, Suga, and Hot Girl Meg — and they were all on display in a humorous video she put together for YouTube Music’s Artist Spotlight Stories. Fans see the leader Tina Snow, the charismatic and nice Suga, and the flirty Hot Girl Meg in the 10-minute piece. She snagged the idea for creating characters from rapper and record producer Pimp C, who she was a fan of growing up. He created assorted alter egos for himself, like Sweet James Jones and Jack Tripper, among others. “My music is me letting the world know how confident I am in myself, and me basically telling other women, and guys, how confident and how comfortable I believe they should be.” Hot Girl Summer Early in the year, Megan headed to Los Angeles to perform on The Charlie Sloth Rap Show, where rappers perform original freestyle music. She stepped into the studios—ignoring the pressure and embracing the moment—and dazzled and delighted with a jaw-dropping performance that continued to propel her career. In March, however, tragedy struck as she lost her mom to brain cancer, and her great-grandmother passed away, too. Having lost her mom, who was so close to her and had impacted her life in so many ways, the months that followed were understandably shrouded in sadness and difficult to navigate. Megan found comfort in her music and dedicated herself to carving out a career they would be proud of while, equally importantly, helping others along the way.

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Megan Thee Stallion