Ever since my mother grounded me for calling her a “badass bitch,” I’ve realized not everyone is familiar with hip-hop lingo. Of course I didn’t mean to insult her. It was actually a compliment regarding how driven she is and how she doesn’t let anyone, especially the haters, stop her from doing her thing. Looking back, however, it’s easy to see how my words were misinterpreted.
One of the new nouns produced by hip-hop can be accredited to Fetty Wap, whose song “Trap Queen” was released in 2014, but didn’t hit the Billboard Hot 100 list until 2015. Unfortunately, Merriam-Webster can’t help us to understand the exact definition. Is it a compliment? Insult? Proper noun? Context clues can be applied in an attempt to dissect and analyze the one and only "Trap Queen."
Urban Dictionary defines a "trap" as “the area where drug deals are carried out” and people often refer to "the trap" as the idea of drug dealing in general as in it is easy to get trapped in the business. Trap music is similar to electronic music that is specifically characterized with heavy bass lines and an overall dark-ish or grimy feel. The word "queen" refers to a woman who is in power and has a certain control over others. It usually refers to someone who is wealthy too.
So, if we combine these two words, by the power of the English language, we should get the accurate definition of what exactly a trap queen is: a powerful woman who is in control of some aspect of drug dealing. How close were we? In an interview, Fetty Wap told Complex Music that the inspiration for “Trap Queen” came from “being in the trap. [He] was just dealing with somebody at the time, and she was holding [him] down.” So, Fetty Wap didn't intend for such a literal interpretation; it seems his focus is more on the positive effect a woman had in his life.
Here is my professional opinion as to how one should react if she is called a trap queen in certain situations:
By a Friend
If your friend calls you his or her trap queen, they are probably complimenting your loyalty and appreciating how you do everything by their side, such as going to the mall together and buying swag gear. I would take the compliment as affirmation that you have a pretty solid clique.
By a Boyfriend
If your boyfriend calls you his trap queen, I would be a little less excited and a little more suspicious. Sure the same things apply as stated previously about being committed and loyal, but this may mean your boyfriend is hinting at wanting you to partake in his “trap” lifestyle. It is possible that one day you will be cooking pies together in his kitchen, being all cute by throwing flour at each other like in the movies, but then you may realize the flour is actually cocaine, and he has hooked you into selling drugs without you even knowing. The most important aspects of any relationship are communication and trust, so keeping that in mind, I would be appreciative that someone views you as their muse and go-to gal, but at the same time I would make sure there are no secrets between you two. After all, it is quite possible to be someone's trap queen in a sense that doesn't involve drugs whatsoever.
My official verdict is that it is mainly a compliment to be referred as a trap queen. So go out there and rule that trap because you’re fierce. Plus, matching Lamborghinis are a pretty chill relationship goal.
