Aint Afraid – LBP ft. Ventaged (Video Review)
Identical twin sisters deliver a boppin’ empowerment anthem for the Muslimas
In an age where the top female artists in the mainstream hop-hop world are centering their messages of empowerment around their bodies, sexuality and being scantily clad, there is a dire need for an alternative for young sisters to latch onto and be inspired by.
Female Muslim emcees are few and far between, but they are making an impact, and perhaps none may be more impactful than twin sisters that make up the Muslim female hip-hop group Ain’t Afraid. This talented duo delivers a strong message that they refuse to be put in a box and be told to hush up and maintain the status quo in their song and music video “LBP” (which is short for “Little Bo Peep”).
About The Artists
Sakinah and Zakkiyah Rahman are twin sisters from Detroit that make up the hip-hop tandem Ain’t Afraid where they go by their stage names Straingth and Wizdumb. These two sisters have been described in their press materials as being a “multi-talented double dose of dopeness” and you can definitely tell by just checking out their social media presence.
They are goofy, confident, intelligent and strong and show it in their produced music. The twins really started becoming noticed on the social platform Tik Tok for their infectious personalities, entertaining performances and bold fashion. Most of all, the messaging behind their music is positive and centers around their love of Islam.
This blend of love for the deen and embracing of their musical dreams was nurtured by their mother who was an artist in her own right. Their hobby became their calling when they “…realized young Muslims – especially sisters – needed to see that you can live a dope life and value your religion.”
Aint Afraid started becoming noticed a little before the pandemic for their performances, but it wasn’t until COVID hit that they really started getting serious about being performing artists and working on an Album while in quarantine. They’ve released a few singles and have now been working on videos, among them is their most popular hit, LBP.
About The Video
“LBP” stands for Little Bo Peep, the famous character from a Mother Goose nursery rhyme. In the context of the song, it is used with a negative connotation of a little girl that is shy, timid and submissive, which Aint Afraid’s Straingth and Wizdumb are not only the polar opposite of, but they refuse to be molded into being such.
When the sisters say, “You want a little bo peep?” they are speaking to those that wish they weren’t who they are–be it teachers, boys, authority figures and critics of theirs. Their response is in the chorus, “That aint, that aint, that ain’t never been me”.
The video does a great job in illustrating the song’s message with the duo meeting with a guidance counselor who tells them that their dream of following their passion of making music should be dropped for a safer, more attainable career path. It’s interesting to note that the video starts out with “based on a true story” so it may be likely that the scenario may have actually happened to them, in some form or fashion.
The counselor presents them a book of possible career options that are stereotypical and safe like jobs in the field of science, culinary, horticulture and others. What follows is Ain’t Afraid loudly and boldly letting it be known that they will not be silenced nor will they change who they are to fit what society or the community expects of them.
The tune is catchy, dance-worthy and carries a message of female empowerment that you don’t normally see in modern hip-hop from female artists. And even in the end, the guidance counselor is jamming to their anthem, her initial opinion proven wrong.
Final Verdict
Aint Afraid’s “LBP” is a powerful anthem for sisters in 2021 with a strong message to not back down, not be silenced and to push back against anyone that wants you to hush and play it safe. Aint Afraid are a talented duo of sisters making some amazing music for the “sistas” and are great musical role models to get behind.
The comparisons made by fans online that Aint Afraid gives off vibes of being the “Muslim Lizzo” and the “Muslim Beyonce” are pretty spot on as these sisters give off a vibe and style that is similar but with an Islamic twist.
If “LBP” is any indication, we expect big things in the future from Straingth and Wizdumb. They are doing a tremendous job making positive music for girls and women to be inspired by and we hope this is just a start of a long, fruitful career! Give them a like, a follow, share their video on social media and show your love and support. You go, sisters!
Asif Balouch is a Houston, TX based writer with a passion for positive entertainment and media. Asif graduated in 2010 from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Communications with a TV/Video Production focus and minored in creative writing.
