Hiss Hiss Boom: Unpacking Hip-Hop Herstory and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hiss” Record

Over the weekend, I had several plans, but I did something unexpected. I listened to The Breakfast Club, a radio show known for its coverage of the messier side of hip-hop culture and its interviews with famous rappers and celebrities. However, I’ve never been a big fan of the show because of its interview style and the numerous controversies that it has accumulated over the years.

But, like everyone else, I was tuned in this weekend because Megan Thee Stallion released her hip-hop diss track titled “Hiss.” During an early morning interview with The Breakfast Club, the rapper noted that the record referenced the sound a snake makes before it gets ready to strike. This release also reminded me of the well-known snake references in the feud between Taylor Swift and Kimye (Kanye West + Kim Kardashian), which resulted in years of back-and-forth song releases, including Kanye West’s song “Famous” and Taylor Swift’s Reputation Era.