King Princess, in her Genius lyrics interview breaking down the song, states how “gay people have always existed in religious texts, but never in a way that is respectful.” Within the lyric “honey, on your knees,” King Princess is referring to being bowed down to like a god or saint. It is a strong move to take back this power through the inclusions and allusions to religion throughout the song. Other areas in this song, including “cause when this day is done, I still got shit to run” mention how she is in charge and in control of what she decides. It also sends the message that one can succeed in life with or without the relationship, and how important healthy independence still is even while being with someone. This is a component of empowerment: understanding our worth in both the presence of and in the absence of a partner, and being with someone who does not discredit or misinterpret this fact as selfishness. Her albums have definitely opened up conversations about gender and sexuality, and the open space a person can live in between the binary. Through my recent readings, I have learned that King Princess has, however, faced controversies regarding the “Cheap Queen” album, as some may argue it is capitalizing off of queerness instead of helping to foster an inclusive community, and there are several stories online regarding some problematic actions done by King Princess. So, in general, while songs may result in a boost of confidence among listening, the intentions of the artists can be contested.

“Nina Cried Power” by Hozier ft. Mavis Staples may not be regarded as a feminist tune, as it is more of an anthem of the Civil Rights movement, but it is an exceptional song of revolution and includes the names of some incredible activists in the lyrics, including Nina Simone, and the voice of Mavis Staples herself. I think it always deserves a replay on Spotify. It is an incredible composition and promotes intersectionality, so I figured I might add it to our class playlist based off of our discussions and focuses throughout the semester as well.