Webster's dictionary defines feminism as "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities". In the pre-to-mid nineteen hundreds, women were objectified and seen as inferior to men. The Feminist Movement in the nineteen-sixties radically changed how society saw women. Women became empowered and became functional members of the community. They began working alongside the chauvinistic men that had previously thought lesser of them. Propaganda and riots aided in achieving this equality of women. 

When analyzing "feminism" in modern-day pop culture, there are two extremes: the "I am woman, hear me roar" mindset and the "fuck bitches" mindset. The "I am woman, hear me roar" mindset implies that the female gender is embracing their "womanhood" and will make their existence known despite the previously male-dominated culture. The "fuck bitches" mindset implies that the female gender, while still independent from the chains that male society has placed on them, may choose to regress to a more submissive nature if the male is intimate with her and showers her with expensive gifts. 

The "I am woman, hear me roar" and "fuck bitches" themes are seen in many faucets of pop-culture; however the music industry recapitulates these themes most efficiently. Music offers metaphorical and symbolic lyrics, beats and rhythms that capture wide audiences, and visual performances that further convey the artists' message: in this case, the ideals of feminism. The 2013 pop song "Roar" by Katy Perry expresses the "I am woman, hear me roar" theme; whereas, the 2014 hip-hop song "Anaconda" by Nicki Minaj personifies the "fuck bitches" mindset.

Pop singer Katy Perry uses a serious "Rosy the Riveter" approach in her song "Roar" to proclaim that women aren't the frail dolls that society thinks they are, they can and will "roar". Katy Perry addresses the topic of "feminism" by stating that she, just like women in the pre-feminist movement, would sit quietly, keep her opinions to herself, and "agree politely" to the men who reined over her (Perry). In her lyrics, she admits that has failed to remember that times have changed and women now have a choice in being empowered individuals and standing up for what they believe in.  Katy Perry presents her way of thinking about women, a view in which the woman is strong and independent and has enough of being pushed down and getting herself up. She uses the phrase "like thunder gonna shake the ground" to state that the new modern woman has changed and won't be the submissive servant that the male-dominated society has expected in the past, they will shake things up (Perry). After stating that women have changed, she uses her music to encourage other women who have been subjective to this submissive temperament to be strong and stand up for what they believe in. She encourages women by telling them about the after effects of "Roaring". She says that after gaining the confidence to "roar" she is now "floating like a butterfly, stinging like a bee, I earned my stripes. I went from zero to hero ... I've got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire. I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar". 

Nicki Minaj has also had enough of being dominated by male social expectations and uses her music to convey her opinions of "feminism". She interprets "feminism" and the result of the Feminist Movement as women have gained the right to depend on a man to provide her needs if they choose to.  Her song "Anaconda" starts out by identifying a drug dealer, Troy, that she is interested in. She reveals that Troy has plenty of money and is willing to buy her expensive gifts from esteemed fashion designer Alexander McQueen to "keep [her] stylish" if she will have sex with him (Minaj). Minaj expresses that she will allow Troy to perform various sexual favors on her because he has a grill. A "grill" is decorative mouth jewelry that is often made of gold or platinum and contains diamonds; this implies that she will only be submissive if he is very affluent. Later in the song, Nicki Minaj names another man that she would allow to take care of her. Michael is a man who has ridden a motorcycle and has a "dick bigger than a tower, I ain't talking about Eiffel", meaning that he was rather well endowed in the genital region (Minaj). Minaj states that she "let him hit it cause he slang cocaine". This leads to the conclusion that she allowed him to fornicate with her because he is wealthy. Nicki Minaj refers to the male gender as an "anaconda" and that the "anaconda" (a.k.a. the man) will only want the female if she is well endowed in the posterior region, further objectifying women, thus regressing to the pre-feministic ideals of submission. Later in the song, Minaj addresses a particular audience. She says "this one is for my bitches with a fat ass in the fucking club". This means that she is speaking to the femme fatales who who are well endowed in the posterior region. She addresses them to encourage them to rise up against the ones who have previously taken domain over them. In this case, it is the "skinny bitches" and she proclaims that the more-voluptuous woman will reign supreme. 

Through use of catchy beats, and quirky lyrics, Nicki Minaj has become very successful in the music industry. She has won American Music Awards, BET music awards, and a Billboard award, just to name a few of her achievements. Needless to say, she in the eye of the media and is an idol to many young women. She uses her platform to promote her feministic ideals that women hold the power and that they have a choice in being dominant or submissive. 

Webster's dictionary defines feminism as "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities". Katy Perry sings about feminism and proclaims that women aren't objectified anymore; they have a voice and will now be heard. Nicki Minaj interprets feminism and the result of the Feminist Movement as women have now gained the right to depend on a man to provide her needs in exchange for sexual favors if she chooses to. Both artists empower women to rise above their physical conditions and preconceived notions of what it is to "be a woman" in order to go forth and make their voices known and become and achieve what they desire. 

