Rapstrology | Big Sean, Chance the Rapper and the trailblazing leadership of Aries

Welcome to the commencement of the astrological new year! Coinciding with the spring equinox on March 21, Aries season marks the start of the Zodiac; representing new beginnings, uncharted waters and fresh opportunities to take action.

Symbolized by the Ram, this fire sign has an unwavering drive to trail-blaze. Given their charm, work ethic and ability to thrive in conflict, consequently Aries gets what they want more often than not. Since the Zodiac doubles as a mirror to the cycle of life, Aries is signified by infancy in that most born this time of year bring a childlike quality into all that they do. As such, Aries require a lot of attention, move quickly through emotion and have an air of youthful innocence around them.

Often considered the most dramatic and impulsive sign of the Zodiac, Aries are born with a set of survival skills that allows them to navigate through challenges with a robust spirit of adventure. Brave, quick-witted, impatient, fearless and loyal, Aries' strength lies in how well they handle their own fire. In other words, the line between confident and short-tempered, as well as aggressive and passionate, is one that Aries spend their lifetimes straddling. Comfortable assuming leadership roles, many pioneers who were born under this sign have risen to the top of entertainment, business, sports and politics.

As Aries have the nerve to affect change, their mission is as motivational as it is exciting to watch. It's hard not to root for an Aries, especially considering it's best advised to either support them or stand out of the way. As soldiers to a higher cause, Aries take initiative to embody the change they wish to see, even if their ego may take centerstage.

Given that the sign is ruled by Mars, it is in Aries fiery nature to take charge, occasionally taking action well before they think about it. As Aries keeps it moving, and with a desire to be as direct as possible, this sign is always ready to competeand enthusiastically work toward a goal. Without a goal in mind, Aries becomes bored, frustrated and loses sight of direction. Again, word to Charles Bukowski, what matters most is how well you walk through the fire.

Throughout hip hop, much impact has been made by a plethora of passion-drivenAries such as Q-Tip, Method Man, Redman, Da Brat, Juvenile, Curren$y, MC Hammer, Juicy J, Blac Youngsta, Big Sean, Chance the Rapper, Quavo, Young MA, DeJ Loaf, Killer Mike, Ty Dolla $ign, Mannie Fresh, MadeinTYO, Dreezy, and even feared yet revered music executive Suge Knight. Additionally, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Billie Holiday and Jill Scott all exemplify a diva dynamism that commands the spotlight and subsequently catapulted them into superstardom. Larger than life, there are a myriad of examples that show Aries get shit done, demand respect and reign supreme.

Now that we have welcomed our new Zodiac calendar with a brief overview of what signifies #AriesSeason, here are some lyrical gems to keep in mind and when the mood strikes, keep on repeat.

Song: "Bounce Back" - Big Sean

Lyrical Mantra: The entire song, honestly. "Everything I do is righteous / Betting on me is the right risk / Even in a fucking crisis / I'm never on some switching sides shit / I switch gears to the night shift / Blacking out 'cause I'm enlightened."

Aries'ism: Big Sean energy is Aries energy. There's no other way around it. As exemplified through this track specifically, which appears on his fourth studio album, 2017's I Decided, Big Sean is a phoenix rising from the ashes. With every bar motivational and authentic to his experience, this song speaks to his infinite belief in himself, all while showcasing his confident ability to lead by example and continue to rise above, especially in the face of conflict.

Song: "Stubborn Ass" - Young M.A

Lyrical Mantra: "Doing shit for attention won't get my attention / Instead of hitting me up you do shit with intentions / I thought we was grown / Like, who are you kidding? / I guess trying to make it work now is out of commission, huh? / Compromise / Don't make selfish decisions / Admit when you're wrong / The only way we can fix it."

Aries'ism: While reflecting on Young M.A's breakout success through her explosive "Ooouuu" freestyle also exemplifies Aries' ability to make a strong introduction and claim stake, her latest single that was released in February 2019, is a love song that speaks to how Aries like to be as direct as possible and present logic in chaos. Young M.A isn't interested in anyone wasting her time, but when she believes in someone or something, Aries' tendency to be loyal to a fault and prove a point takes hold. Through her own way and volition, Young M.A has an effortless ability to let criticism impact her the same way as a compliment, a quality that is as sage as it is strong.

Song: "Best Life" by Cardi B and Chance the Rapper

Lyrical Mantra: "Said I'm livin' my best life / Said I'm livin' my best life / Made a couple M's with my best friends / Turned all my L's into lessons / You see the whip pullin' up, it's like 'skrrt' / Dreams pullin' up, I'm like 'skrrt' / I'm livin' my best life / It's my birthday, at least that's what I'm dressed like."

Aries'ism: Chance the Rapper's career speaks to his being an Aries in that he blazed a trail of his own. He released the first streaming-only album to debut on Billboard and led others to examine what being independent in music means in the 2010s. His activism also speaks to his larger purpose. He's aiming to be the best version of himself, while paying it forward.

Song: "Big Beast" by Killer Mike featuring T.I., Bun B and Trouble

Lyrical Mantra: "These real-ass killers move in silence with violence / The minute it set off, we the motherfucking wildest / How you from Atlanta they ain't never speak upon / Where everybody got a sack of dope and a gun."

Aries'ism: In his own words, Killer Mike explains, "This is some punch you in the face shit." Yup. Killer Mike of Run the Jewels fame is larger than life and as real as they come. While not everyone may agree with his outspokenness, his work as both an activist and an artist is beyond worth taking note of. In this song, he embodies Aries energy by opening up his album in a way that hits the ground running and welcomes the listener to the realities of Atlanta. No sugarcoating, no shrugging it off.

Song: "Bandz A Make Her Dance" by Juicy J

Lyrical Mantra: "Like a broke ATM I'ma spill in all this cash / Them n----s in the club don't be spending shit / 20 stacks in one night, I be on trippy shit / My cribs paid off, but I'm still paying rent."

Aries'ism: One glance into Juicy J's discography and it's impossible to miss how sexuality steers his creativity and influences his perspective. Aries is known to stay in fifth gear and quite often his sexual traits lean on the intense side of things. With a huge sex drive and no shame, Aries views sex as a conquest, going from one extreme to another and often, one partner to another until finding their ultimate match. Deep down there is a desire for romance, but as exemplified in the strip club anthems that are the foundation of Juicy J's creative output, first things first, there's no harm in enjoying all that life has to offer before settling down. Or what have you.

As seen on REVOLT TV here.

#REPOST REVOLT TV: Each One, Teach One | 5 takeaways that signify Megan Thee Stallion's burgeoning legacy

As KRS-One articulated throughout his catalog and in his many teachings, "Rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live." As the culture continues to evolve today, many feel it's not only important, but vital to preserve and honor the fundamental elements: Graffiti, emceeing, breakdancing, deejaying and knowledge. This column called "Each One, Teach One" aims to do exactly that. It will highlight various lessons that can be passed between new and old generations alike.

Knowing what you want is a powerful thing. Having a vision in mind is an integral first step toward putting an idea into action. As exemplified in countless ways; when passion, drive and dedication are added to the fold, goals become that much more fulfilling as they become fully realized. For Megan Thee Stallion, there was no doubt in her mind that she was going to be a success. Once she made that decision for herself, her world changed forever. And when she chose to confide in her mother the nature of her dreams, it changed once more.

A proud Houston native, the 24-year-old rapper was exposed to hip hop at an early age. Her mother, Holly, who rapped under the name Holly-Wood, would bring Megan with her to her recording sessions, not yet knowing full well how the experiences would influence her daughter to want to pursue a rap career of her own one day. As Megan has candidly recalled in ample interviews, she began writing her own verses at the age of 14, but took years to work up to confessing her aptitude for rapping to her mom.

"I went home and told her I could rap, and she was like, 'No you can't,'" Megan recalled during a recent interview with Rolling Stone. "I'm like, 'Yes I can.' I started rapping and she was like 'Oh my god! No, you not coming out 'til you're 21!"

Take one glance at how much Megan has accomplished in the past two years alone and it's not hard to understand why her mother put her foot down, and mandated that she wait until she reached the beginning of her adult years to take the rap game by storm. Admirably, and much to the surprise of many, Megan is balancing her fast-rising career in music with completing her degree in Health Administration at Texas Southern University.

In fact, footage of her freestyling at college (and destroying her male opponents in a battle) initially helped kickstart her digital following, with many taking note of her talents as an MC. In 2017, she would disrupt the internet once again, dropping her viral "Stalli (Freestyle)" and setting the tone for what fans could anticipate from her first EP later that same year, titled Make It Hot. With thousands of eyes glued to her next moves, she went on to sign to 1501 Certified, a record label owned by retired baseball player Carl Crawford.

Her momentum was carried into 2018 and was further fueled by the release of Tina Snow, a 10-track collection that paid homage to the late Pimp C's Tony Snow persona and eventually led her to becoming the first woman to sign a deal in partnership with 300 Entertainment. The H-Town Hottie, who stands proudly at 5'10", is destined to make an impact, encouraging others to follow their own path and stick to their own scripts. As 2019 continues to unfold, Megan is winning over new audiences and inspiring the masses with each passing day.

As she readies her highly anticipated Fever project, as well as racked up millions of views with her latest Beats1 freestyle, Megan Thee Stallion is making sure her legacy is rooted in authenticity, confidence, enthusiasm, hard work and her undeniable drive to make a name for herself without having to compromise her individuality. While her career continues to take shape, there are countless examples of how Megan Thee Stallion is making an exemplary effort to do the damn thing without losing sight of what she stands for.

In the spirit of having ample Stallion'isms to serve as inspiration, whether in her lyrics or in her personable interviews, let's take a look at five takeaways that signify her destined influence.

Follow your own timeline.

While music has always been her main priority in the back of her mind, Megan Thee Stallion is trusting that her diligence will pay off in the long run. She's known full well that the task of balancing her schoolwork with her music would not be easy, but that would make it that much more worth it. Now, as a college senior, her goals are shining and waiting for her at the end of the tunnel, making it difficult not to cheer her on to the finish line.

During a recent interview with Essence, Megan spoke on the subject, explaining, "Like, [I'm] not gonna say, 'Get out here and do everything I'm talking about.' But you get the message of the songs: Be confident; don't let a man try to run your life. You run his life. Do you know what I'm saying? Just be free; that's just really what I like to support. Get your degree if you want to. I'm not saying you got to, but I'm just saying, like, it'd be a good idea to do that."

Don't let criticism affect you any differently than a compliment.

Megan Thee Stallion is undeniably gorgeous and is as self-aware as she is confident. As a woman in the spotlight, let alone a woman rapper in the spotlight, her sexuality has become increasingly intertwined with conversations revolving around her persona, her music, her perspective and her overall career. As hip hop continues to unlearn its historically misogynistic ways, there have been sufficient setbacks. Recently, Megan handled one arguable misstep with grace.

During an interview with DJ Smallz, she was asked if she "developed early" and if she "always had this body." While countless found the question to be cringeworthy and offensive, Megan took it with stride. She swiftly navigated past the sexist line of questioning and kept it moving, later explaining that the subject is not news to her and that she's since grown accustomed to men making comments about her appearance. She says she doesn't let stuff like that bother her, and that can be especially difficult and emotionally draining. To take a page from Megan's playbook, once you own your sexuality and identity, it's no different from mastering the art of making sure a compliment and a criticism don't affect you any differently. Take note, file it, learn from it and don't let it make or break your day.

Take ownership. Don't be afraid to strike a nerve.

Pop it, pop it,

Daydreaming bout how I rock it,

He hit my phone with a horse,

So I know that mean come over and ride it. - Megan Thee Stallion, "Big Ole Freak"

In line with the concept of not letting the opinions of others bring you down, regardless of whether you deem them positive or negative, Megan is making a name for herself rooted in taking ownership of her sexuality. She recognizes her power and is flipping the hip hop game on its head, similar to those who helped pave the way, such as Lil' Kim, Trina, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and more.

During a recent conversation with Rolling Stone, Megan reflected on her sexuality in depth, explaining how she's not here for any critique that all she does is talk about sex.

Megan takes issue with the criticism she's seen that her graphic lyrics are unbecoming of her as a female rapper. "You let the boys come up in here and talk about how they gon' run a train on all our friends, and they want some head, and they want to shoot everything up, and they want to do drugs," she shared with the publication. "Well, we should be able to go equally as hard. I don't want to hear none of that, 'That's offensive!' or 'All she talk about is pussy.'"

While her music has been received with notably overwhelming positivity from women, it's not immune to hate comments from men, further proving how taking ownership of what you stand for is the best strategy.

Be open to competition, but know there is room for everyone to win.

Megan Thee Stallion is helping lead the charge and shape the landscape of today's contemporary rap scene as it is being driven by women. While she is competitive, much like the nature of rap by conception, she also knows that she's in a lane of her own, welcoming other women to get their just due, as well.

She recently spoke on the subject of women in rap with Essence's Yesha Callahan, explaining her perspective with a maturity that she puts into practice on a daily basis.

"I feel like since, like, forever, it has only been, like, one female rapper at a time," she shared. "And naturally, women are competitive. So I feel like, without beef, hip hop probably wouldn't even be what it is, so it's good to have, like, a little friendly competition here and there. I feel like eventually, we'll all realize that we're not trying to cross into each other's lane. Just because we might be rapping about some of the same things, we're not doing it in the same way. There's enough room for all of us to eat. So, as soon as we can get that together, then we'll be all right."

Work toward something that is bigger than you.

Megan Thee Stallion has both bars and goals for days. Another one of her lifelong dreams is fully within her reach, too. She's expressed that she'd like to open assisted living facilities around her hometown, with her desire to give back to her community a driving force behind her music. Megan also notes how she'd like to hire her fellow classmates as a way to provide opportunities for others looking to get a job after they graduate. At the end of the day, knowing your passions have the potential to be fully realized in a way that benefits the world at large is an incredible feeling, one that Megan doesn't take for granted. For that reason, of many, she has more than earned her spot at the top of the list of rappers, and visionaries, who got next.

As originally published via REVOLT TV.

REPOST REVOLT TV: Each One, Teach One | Finding inspiration in the rap game's "dollhouse"

As KRS-One articulated throughout his catalog and in his many teachings, "Rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live." As the culture continues to evolve today, many feel it's not only important, but vital to preserve and honor the fundamental elements: Graffiti, emceeing, breakdancing, deejaying and knowledge. This column called "Each One, Teach One" aims to do exactly that. It will highlight various lessons that can be passed between new and old generations alike.

Inspiration is everywhere and comes in many forms. Whether it arrives when spending quality time with those who motivate you, detaching from social media to enjoy the present moment, switching up your surroundings or simply blasting your favorite playlist; when inspiration strikes, the feeling is restorative, affirming and powerful. For many, music plays an integral role, as well as serves a dual purpose of soundtracking the drive that leads to the actualization of ideas. While inspiration is fleeting by nature, it's also woven into unlikely places, such as in today's multifaceted rap landscape.

Ample ink has been spilt, and will rightfully continue to be spilled while discussing how hip hop has historically regarded its women. However, it is increasingly hard-pressed to ignore those leading the charge to change how the industry views and embraces its non-cis male creators and consumers. Over the past several years -- 2018 especially -- there has been a refreshing air surrounding the revival and reception of women artists in hip hop. While success can be calculated, such as by celebrating Cardi B becoming the first solo woman to win Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammys or Nicki Minaj becoming the first woman to top 100 million RIAA certified units, inspiration can be found in their journeys, their messages, their transparency regarding their own experiences and in their culture-shaping victories.

As the conversations that critically examine how much work the industry has to do to diminish the effects and presence of misogyny in hip hop continue, the fact of the matter is it's an uphill battle working to make sure the cultural landscape reflects inclusive progress. Because of this, as well as due to the complexities of being a woman-identifying fan of music in general and hip hop specifically, women are consistently tasked with finding ways to navigate a culture that often thrives at their expense. When placing a focus on the next generation of women in rap and the veterans who blazed trails (and continue to do so), there are not enough allocated words for this column to share the nuanced ways in which the ladies inspire onlookers by taking ownership of their merit in rap, and by rising above obstacles despite the complicated challenges they unequivocally face, while possessing talents and achieving accomplishments.

In the spirit of celebration, ownership and inspiring the masses; an abundance of women rappers come to mind, as many can agree being a woman in hip hop is a radical act in and of itself. In lieu of namedropping the greats and undeniably leaving out integral key players, this edition of "Each One, Teach One" will be focusing on four rappers who are working to claim their own stake in the rap game: Kash Doll, Asian Doll, Cuban Doll and Dream Doll.

When discussing the emergence of the Dolls, the role that competition and reputation plays often comes to the forefront, taking precedence over their own individual stories. Because of this, these women are fighting to forge their own lanes, all while paying various degrees of homage to the doll/Barbie aesthetic first cultivated by Lil' Kim and later Nicki Minaj. In honor of these four young women hustling to make their dreams come true and carve their own legacies, here are four songs, and their accompanying music videos, that double as their own distinctive brand of inspirational moods, respectively.

Kash Doll

Detroit native Kash Doll first got her start in entertainment working as an exotic dancer, an experience that influenced her moniker. As she embraced her talents as a rapper, she found her confidence translated brilliantly into her music, allowing her to establish a name for herself as an emerging talent. From opening up for Drake on his 2016 'Summer Sixteen Tour' stop in Detroit to collaborating with Big Sean and Metro Boomin' ("So Good"), Kash Doll has come a long way since first dedicating herself to her music in 2014. Late last year, she helped sponsor three women from Detroit, so they could attend medical school, an initiative she plans to make an annual one. Kash Doll also recently launched a Detroit based non-profit called BAD Girls (Black American Doll), and continues to inspire both in and out of the studio.

"For Everybody"

"See, me and my bitches don't save em / We catch his ass and we throw it back / Break his ass down like a pound / When I'm done you can have him back / Bitch don't play yo self ain't nothing bout that nigga golly / He ain't just for you, baby, he for everybody."

Asian Doll

Known as the self-proclaimed "Queen of Teens," Asian Doll has been cultivating a serious social media following, even earning a co-sign from Nicki Minaj. After dropping her debut mixtape, 2015's Da Rise of Barbie Doll Gang Empire, Asian Doll has kept her SoundCloud-fueled momentum going strong and has since dropped five other projects. She has collaborated with the likes of PnB Rock, Rico Nasty and Bhad Bhabie, as well as joined the latter on her first international tour. In 2018, the Dallas rapper became the first woman to be signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 label. With the backing of the Atlanta heavyweight and an army of loyal supporters, Asian Doll is entering a new level of her career, one that feels worlds away from where she was transparently sharing her struggles with her fans on social media. Most recently, the 22-year-old rapper was featured on Porn Hub's Valentine's Day project alongside Lil Xan, 24hrs, MadeinTYO and others.

"Rock Out"

"Running through the game with no cheat codes / Bad bitch in designer, she a freak hoe / Money over n--s, bitch that's been the memo / Left a n--a, damn bad, how you take those? / You ain't sliding, you ain't riding, bitch / You ain't popping, you ain't sticking on a fly bitch / Get money in my sleep, flying private / Snipers on the roof, killers move in silence."

Cuban Doll

Cuban Doll, also known as Cuban Da Savage, also got her start building a following on social media before transitioning into exploring her now-bourgeoning career in music. In 2017, she released her debut mixtape, Cuban Link, making the leap into pursuing music full-time. Less than a year later, she dropped her second mixtape, Aaliyah Keef, a testament to her duality where she drew inspiration from the late Aaliyah and her favorite rapper Chief Keef. The Dallas rapper's track "Bankrupt" emerged as a breakout single with Lil Yachty and Lil Baby blessing the song's official remix. For someone who is still in the beginning stages of her career in music, she continually is hitting impactful milestones, such as performing at Rolling Loud and garnering millions of streams with a handful of strategic loose singles.

"Fuck Boy Free"

"You be flexing with them stacks but that's rent money / Probably scam all the time never spent money / You on my time never mind, why you beg for me? / Out a bad bitch way get the fuck from me / Like where the cash at? / Where my bag at? / You keep saying this designer where the tags at? / I ain't wanna finesse him but I'm the queen of finessing / Even if I let him hit it then you know that I blessed him."

Dream Doll

Bronx rapper Dream Doll also has roots originating in the strip club scene, working as a bartender and going on to star on the reality TV series "Bad Girls Club." Thanks to her time spent networking in New York, and with the boost in visibility stemming from her brief appearance on the show, she connected with "Love & Hip Hop: New York" star DJ Self and went on to sign to his Gwinin Entertainment imprint. In September 2017, she released her single "Everything Nice," which helped signify her decision to focus on music, which was already paying off her in favor. Soon thereafter, Dream Doll dropped her first EP, Life in Plastic, and a month later, she went on to appear on the eighth season of "Love and Hip Hop: New York," helping her gain traction in the music game. At the top of this year, she dropped the follow-up to her debut EP, Life in Plastic 2, setting the stage for what the rest of this year may have in store.

"Pull Up"

"Keep it a hundred in change / I spent a buck on a range / Dripping a watch and a chain / Skrt, you're not in my lane / Bitches hating, I ain't got no patience / I be waiting, send your location."