Queen Cypher

"Ladies, listen."

Erykah Badu opens the track on Sprite adorned turntables, beckoning her fellow femcees to spit their truth during the BET Hip Hop Awards 20, Ladies First Cypher. The sponsorship from the popular soft drink brand is all too fitting as the cypher demands its audience to, "obey your thirst" for these iconic Black women in music.

Teyana

"Love the tone is what I set it."

Teyana Taylor enters the cypher with same powerful and provocative lyricism that draw fans to her music. The 30 year-old American singer-songwriter is also an actress, dance, choreographer, director and model. Taylor has written records for Usher, Chris Brown, and Omarion. She is credited as the choreographer for Beyoncé's, Ring the Alarm. In August 2010, Taylor made her acting debut appearing in the sequel Stomp the Yard: Homecoming. And she broke the internet during Kanye West's world premiere of his single, Fade.

The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor (2021) was her first independent mixtape and influenced by 90s R&B legends like Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. In June 2020, she released The Album

Teyana Taylor has pioneered her career in music by touching all aspects of the the industry. From dancing to acting, writing, and performing she has cultivated her craft diligently to embody all forms of entertainment. Her fearless love and openness is transparency that is often overlooked in an industry that tends to place a restrictive standard on Black women to be both maternal and sexually expressive.

H.E.R.

"Watch as I combine on the jewels from the mind."

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, or as she's more commonly known, H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) effortlessly floats on the track next. The Grammy nominated American singer and songwriter is known for her soulful sound and relatable lyricism. Wilson released her debut EP - H.E.R. Volume 1 in 2016 followed by Volume 2 in 2017. But she was first discovered singing a cover to Alicia Keys on the Today Show.

With a refreshing perspective on finding identity within her music, H.E.R. has continued to captivate fans through the transparency of her emotions while empowering women. Wilson has described herself as, "...a voice for women who feel like they're alone in these situations."

Erykah Badu

"Got a mother ship we can air to store in."

Returning to the stage we have the incomparable, undeniable, the legendary... Miss Erykah Badu. Reigning from Dallas, TX Badu returns to the track just to remind you exactly why there will never quite be another like her. Born Erica Abi Wright the American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress has been called the Queen of Neo soul since the 90s.

She released her first album, Baduizm in 1997. The album was certified triple Platinum and held four singles including, "On & On", and "Next Lifetime". Her single, "Bag Lady" was her first top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100. With sounds reminiscent of iconic jazz singer Billie Holiday, Badu has become known for her eccentric style and performance. She has pioneered the sounds of soul for future generations to come while leaving the legacy of one Bad Queen.

Brandy

"Black females, we're going to flourish in these conditions."

It only would be right to have Brandy Norwood close out this royal blend of Black Queens as her chart topping single, "I Wanna Be Down", runs on loop for the entire track. The American songwriter-singer, record producer, actress and businesswoman was born in McComb, Mississippi. She grew up singing gospel in the church and backup vocalist for teen groups.

Not only a star with the voice of an angel, she's starred on big screen as the star of Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella, co-starring the late great powerhouse, Whitney Houston.

This Queen Cypher is full of four influential Black women who have created new paths in their genres. Their skill sets are multi-faceted and they represent the dynamic power that Black women have held in the music industry for countless decades.

Not every sound is worthy of the crown. But these ladies truly have earned all of their flowers.

As an artist and a lyricist can only hope to follow in their footsteps one day.