Rapper Fetty Wap's infectious single "Trap Queen" and pop star Meghan Trainor's newest smash "Dear Future Husband" are two hit songs that have exploded in popularity over the past few months. The two could not be more different in musical style, lyrical content, or fan base. However, the songs both center on a relationship between the singer and another person – and you may be surprised about which one I have a huge problem with.
"Trap Queen," beneath its tough yet energetic exterior, is a pretty incredible love song. Fetty Wap uses this track to tell the world about a girl he loves and does everything with. He spoils her with expensive jewelry but treats her as his equal and his partner with "matchin' Lambos." His trap queen doesn't sit in the passenger seat of his car, but gets her own Lamborghini to drive around, showing that he doesn't put down the woman he is with, in contrast to messages many other rappers send. And, although his business may be cocaine production, they're in the business together and he's thankful for her.
In the chorus, it's clear that his life wouldn't be the same without his trap queen. He could "cook pies in the kitchen" on his own, but doing his favorite things with his baby are much more fulfilling. Hearing the appreciation he has for his girl shows how much he cares about her and their relationship on an emotional level.
"Dear Future Husband," on the other hand, showcases a relationship stuffed with gender stereotypes but lacking any real emotion. Meghan Trainor sings about finding a man who she can "be the perfect wife" to – the only duties of the job mentioned by her being buying groceries, accepting flowers on their anniversary, and being taken on dates because "I deserve it, babe." Trainor then attempts to make her relationship even a little bit modern by saying "You have a nine to five, but baby so do I, so don't think I'll be home and making apple pies."
However, it's not only the sexism that Trainor puts herself under, but the fact that her "love song" describing a dream relationship involves no love at all. She blatantly states throughout the song that if her husband treats her right (which, according to the song involves being polite and "a classy guy" rather than having any emotional connection with her), then her husband will be rewarded strictly physically, the tamest of which is described "Open doors for me and you might get some kisses." What about the importance of having a husband that she loves and loves her back, motivating these kind gestures rather than doing them for a physical reward?
With the line of "buy me a ring, buy-buy me a ring" echoing through my mind after hearing "Dear Future Husband," I think it's time for Meghan Trainor to reconsider her relationship priorities. I'd rather get fly with my baby any day.
