The Kelis Duel With Beyoncé Perfectly Explains Why Black Capitalism Won’t Save You
The “Milkshake” creator is right but shouting into a powerless void.
There’s something classically alluring about the underdog.
That’s why I rooted for Allen Iverson.
Or Nas when he battled Jay-Z.
David and Goliath is a redemptive story because we see ourselves as counted out, ignored, overlooked, or stepped on.
Never mind that David became king of an oppressive religious patriarchy that could be used to prop up everything from sexism to slavery.
He beat the giant. That’s what mattered.
He wasn’t supposed to win, but, lo and behold, he triumphed.
But the culture of celebrity has warped who we label the underdog.
Right now, iron-clad heroes, newly minted billionaires, and monarchs are the underdogs. They’re also the heroes. None of it makes sense.
Kelis is a great artist of R&B and punk fame. She’s created a lane for quirky Black girls with sharp vocal styles and outspoken attitudes. She’s not afraid to be “Bossy,” and without her, there’s no Lizzo, no Syd, no Leikeili47.
