Ideas that women should be a specific way, devoid of agency and to the liking of everyone but themselves are age-old. It’s one of the reasons Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP has inspired think pieces and opinions from so many since it was released a couple of days ago. Many women have been using their work to also fight against the idea that they must conform or cannot create their own realities for themselves. With Gentle Girl, her latest release, afro-fusion artist Gogowé shows she’s going to exist in spaces on her own terms.
Singing “I no be gentle girl at all” and juxtaposing the expected docile behaviors of women with her temper, love for enjoyment and a warning that “she no be lady o,” Gogowé makes it clear where she stands on women unapologetically being themselves and it’s a message we hope many women can live by.
Give Gentle Girl a listen below.