Atlanta rapper Latto, who famously rapped “big mama, no kids,” is getting ready to be a big mama with a kid, and social media has lit up with reactions.
After months of fans speculating the rapper’s subtle step away from the spotlight was for maternity leave, at midnight, the “Somebody” rapper confirmed her pregnancy in her new single “Business and Personal” and on the recently revealed cover of her forthcoming album “Big Mama.”
While fans and stars like Angel Reese congratulated the rapper on her announcements, in true social media fashion, some users couldn’t help but investigate the details of the music video. Throughout the video for “Business and Personal,” Latto is seen proudly toting her baby bump in various scenes, including one where a male hand is seen cradling her stomach. Though the video did not show his face, social media investigators speculate that the hand that belonged to was none other than fellow rapper 21 Savage, whom Latto has been rumored to be dating for years.
And from there, the takes came fast. Some debated the morality of pregnancy outside of marriage. Others questioned 21 Savage’s rumored marital status. And then there were those who felt personally offended that Latto announced a pregnancy without also announcing a man.
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Let’s be clear, choosing to soft-launch (or not launch) a relationship is not a scandal. It’s a boundary, nowadays even a survival strategy. Earlier this month, a woman was arrested for firing shots outside of Rihanna’s home while she and her children were inside. Keke Palmer received an onstage proposal from an unknown fan, who got dangerously close to her. The line between fan and threat has never been thinner, and female celebrities, in particular, are watching it blur in real time.
Because so many people overshare online, there’s a creeping expectation that everyone must do the same. And when they don’t, that quiet expectation mutates into loud entitlement, as if a stranger owes you the details of their personal life because you stream their music.
We don’t know these people. We know their art.
And as theGrio has reported, pregnancy, while beautiful, is still alarmingly dangerous for Black women, regardless of their income, their fame, or their zip code. The least we can do is meet this news with the energy it actually deserves: celebration.
