Lone Star Pride: Three Female Artists Who Also Happen to Be Texas Natives 

By Delaney Shiono

The music world’s seen many female stars from across the nation and the world. With a sound, style and persona to call their own, they’ve earned the loyalty of many fans while at the same time, given the male-dominant industry a brand new facelift to its credit.

The state of Texas just so happens to be home for three of Hollywood’s best, each from different cities but with the same desire to let themselves be heard. To continue on in celebrating Women’s History Month, here are the biggest stars who’ve given the music scene something to talk about. 

Singer, dancer, mother and devoted wife to rapper Jay-Z, the “Dangerously in Love” starlet has dominated the pop and R&B charts as both a solo and group perfomer. With memorable hits such as “Irreplaceable” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” she’s become one of the most prolific of the decade and shows no signs of stopping. 

Born in Houston on September 4, 1981, Beyoncé developed a love for singing at an early age. Partaking in and winning local talent shows, audiences were impressed with her singing and dancing abilities. This later caught the interest of her cousin, Kelly Rowland, and classmates LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett, who formed the all-girls vocal group that would go on to become the best-selling group of the 90s: Destiny’s Child. 

Following the split of the group in 2001, Beyoncé has since put on a revolutionary solo career that’s earned her 28 Grammy, 31 BET and 13 Billboard Music Awards. She’s also expanded her horizons as both a fashion designer and actress – notably providing the voice of Nala in the 2019 remake of Disney’s The Lion King. 

Selena Gomez 

Known to young audiences for her role as Alex on Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Grand Prairie’s sweetheart has been killing the music world with kindness since 2008. Upon signing a deal with Hollywood Records, her dream of being a singer initially came true in the form of a band called Selena Gomez & The Scene.

Like Beyoncé, Selena made the move to solo artist in 2013 with “Stars Dance,” her last album with Hollywood that earned a spot on Billboard 200. As of 2015, her time at Interscope Records has led to collaborations with artists like Zedd (“I Want You to Know”), A$AP Rocky (“Good For You”), and Kygo (“It Ain’t Me”). Her journey hasn’t been all roses, though, as she’s found herself at the mercy of drama regarding her relationship with ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber and a lupus diagnosis during her “Revival” tour. 

However, courage has always been on Selena’s side, and it’s what’s helped her stay true to both herself and her music. She’s recently experimented outside of the pop genre with the release of her latest EP “Revalación,” nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for the first time ever. 

Megan Thee Stallion

Fierce, fiery and fun are just three words to describe the most savage female rapper in all of hip-hop. Born on February 15, 1995, in Houston, Texas, to former rapper Holly Thomas (aka Holly-Wood), Stallion’s taste of stardom came early on as a recurring visitor to her mother’s recording sessions throughout her six-year tenure from 2001-2007. 

However, it was during her time as a student at Texas Southern University that Stallion’s potential began to shine. Observing a group of male classmates freestyling, she followed suit by recording cyphers and freestyles around campus. This eventually caught her mother’s attention, who was amazed yet skeptical in regards to the lyrics’ heavy sexual content. Thus, she decided to give her daughter time to mature before she officially made her mark. 

Today, Stallion’s made a name for herself as the first female rapper to win the Best New Artist Grammy award since Lauryn Hill in 1999. She’s also the proud recipient of the prestigious 18th Congressional District Humanitarian Award, bestowed for her undying compassion towards others throughout the course of her public life.

(Lone) Stars in Their Eyes

These are just three of the greatest from the Lone Star State whose dedication, devotion and zeal has propelled them to the top of the ladder. So if you’re looking for inspiration on how to make your aspirations come true, look up their hero’s journeys online – you’ll find they have so much to offer. 

Edited by Isabella