Side Chicks Are In

Unfortunately, today it is not uncommon to catch lyrics insinuating the “lady on the side” type of ordeal. I could easily run down a list of some of your favorite artists on the top charts, and welp, you will find a few songs accepting mistress duties in their catalogs.

Let’s not get too upset because the reason it moves the needle is that you, the consumer, monetizes it.

“Oh hell nah, no I don’t!”

“I’m nobody’s side chick, I am a wife.”

“Please, when I get a man, he will be mine.”

“Listen, my man is faithful; I am all he needs.”

What I say to you naysayers and the naive is “YEAH OK! “The way you all “ooh” and “ahh” over toxic relationships is a clear indication that it is a selling point, and I can bet for most it is a trigger as you are currently or in the past (fairly recently) have been girlfriend #2.

The irony behind it is, the karma that comes with the obvious backlash most women currently digest is merely the wave of past transgressions.

See about a decade ago, being a side piece was then a trend, and well you all embraced it. I can say from firsthand experience, the boyfriend #2 definitely had his way. No pun intended for Pleasure P, but hey remember a little song called “4Walls”? Of course, you do. It was merely almost the ultimate sensual anthem for high school, collegiate and dare I say possibly some middle-schoolers. Yet did you ever pay attention to the fact that it was a side guy coming in and stealing the show? Oh, how could you forget…”Boy, I ain’t worried bout my man I wanna make love tonight.” I bet you even sang it in your head or out loud.

Now you say oh but I never cheated back in the day, I was faithful. I didn’t have anybody in the mix or on the side. This point is integrity on your part so I won’t debate you, but remember what is done in the dark shall come to light. Yet the overrun acceptance of side guy culture is almost as big as side chick culture is currently. 

Don’t believe me? Go listen to your favorites from back in the day and listen to the themes.

“Shawty” – Plies

“Why You Wanna” – T.I.

“Some Cut” – Trillville

“4Walls” – Pretty Willie

“Boyfriend #2” – Pleasure P

Then you jump to modern-day music and all the young ladies are talking about how they can have him whenever. Is this a new theme in music? C.C.: Sza, Cardi B, City Girls, Asian Doll…etc. 

ANSWER: Absolutely not, infidelity or lack of monogamy has been around for decades. We talked about it in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. LL Cool J had a crush that in modern-day would be stalkerish on another man’s woman. Ron Isley has Contagious as a #1 hit with society’s current #1 Most Hated, R. Kelly. Then if you think the 90s were all dance parties and chill vibes nope you had plenty of ballads that not only insinuated but promoted multiple partners, sneaking, and late-night sidepieces. INSERT: “My Little Secret by Xscape”, “I Get Around” by 2Pac, “OPP” by Naughty By Nature, “In My Bed” by Dru Hill, and “Creep” by TLC.

Let’s not forget the dual between Monica & Brandy because to this day we don’t know if the boy or song is Brandy or Monica’s. Yet in all honesty, that sounded like the typical teenage woman battling over her man.

Even if we go back to The King, Michael Jackson, he had a standoff with Paul McCartney. “The Girl Is Mine” which is a precursor to the “Boy is Mine” with not as much force.

Fighting to be #1 or the #1 is nothing new, nor will it ever go away. People settle, women have unrealistic standards, men have unrealistic desires, and end of the day it’s a disparity of men to women. So there’s always those loose fries in the bag. 

So no wonder the ladies have no qualms about flipping it upside down and either owning their ideals and accepting it fully or merely profiting. But hey, if after Valentine’s Day you and your boo have a wonderful evening, then on SidePiece Day (February 15^th), go grab that discounted candy and cuddle up. That is if you are into that kind of thing. If you say no, well the music charts say otherwise. 

Trust the discussion and songs that discuss being the other man or woman will not go away. So instead of sparring about it, let’s just agree that some of the music is necessary because everybody has played the fool or chose to be a side dish. I mean what is a Popeye’s 2- piece without Red Beans & Rice. Either way, make sure you all remain safe, honest, and have discernment because some of it is only MUSIC.

[The views and opinions of this writer do not condone cheating on your spouse or being unfaithful.]

– J. Hall

Hello,

Photo by Tobias Quartey.