Coming in hot (to go!), Chappell Roan is single-handedly dominating the pop scene.
If you’ve been on social media within the past five months, you would recognize Roan’s blazing red hair and vibrant blue eyeshadow, along with her hit tracks “Good Luck, Babe!” and “HOT TO GO!” The trailblazer recently made waves at this year’s Lollapalooza, amassing a crowd of over 80,000 people singing along to both her pop anthems and her hit ballads. Additionally, her NPR Tiny Desk performance, where she sings some of her most popular hits in her signature blue eyeshadow and red lipstick look and with her band in matching pink uniforms, has accumulated six million views. As she continues her Midwest Princess Tour around the United Kingdom and North America, Roan’s influence is only growing more and more relevant.
Unashamed and unfiltered, Chappell Roan explores all the theatrics in her performances. Videos of her publicly scolding the VIP section at Outside Lands last August 11 for not participating in learning her viral “HOT TO GO!” dance have circulated the Internet. In these clips, she says, “It’s so weird that VIP thinks they’re so way too cool to do this! You’re not fun! Be fun and try!”
The “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” has become an icon for the queer music community. Her track, “Pink Pony Club,” tells the story of her experience in bursting from the seams of the conservative Midwest into her now bold form of self-expression that she now explores in California. “Won’t make my mama proud / it’s gonna cause a scene / She sees her baby girl / I know she’s gonna scream, ‘God, what have you done?‘” she croons.
While queer pop has always been an essential part of the industry, sapphic pop is now gaining a whole new limelight. “Lunch” by Billie Eilish is another recent example of the genre’s imminent success and popularity; “I could eat that girl for lunch / Yeah, she dances on my tongue / Tastes like she might be the one / And I could never get enough.” Nevertheless, it’s only right to pay tribute to some of the pioneers of this subculture of queer pop, Hayley Kiyoko and Rina Sawayama. It’s precisely through these artists that queer women are given way to celebrate their sexuality in a bright and colorful manner.
In an age where openly sapphic-produced music is stereotyped to be of a breathy, solemn style, Chappell Roan is one of the frontrunners in turning the page and welcoming a fresh and vibrant era. Inspired by drag culture in her style and makeup, Roan is painting a golden era for queer and sapphic representation in music.
At a glance, Roan’s success may appear to have boomed overnight, but she has been a part of the industry for seven years now. Initially debuting on YouTube with power ballad “Good Hurt” in 2017, the rising star entered the scene with a darker and more unconventional sound. Throughout her years of producing music, her style eventually evolved into the vibrant pop we see it as today.
Roan’s narrative has reached millions, earning her a spot on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 Chart, as “Good Luck, Babe!” peaked at the No. 8 position. Similarly, on Billboard Global 200 Chart, she peaked at No. 7 with the same track. Being that her first full-length album is entitled The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, this is an impressive feat to say the least.
Stream Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess on Spotify below: