Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Megan Thee Stallion says she’s stepping back from music to ‘heal’

Rapper released her latest album ‘Traumazine’ in 2022

Inga Parkel
Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:08 BST
Comments
Megan Thee Stallion opens up about mental health

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Megan Thee Stallion has announced that she will be taking a break from music to focus on “healing”.

In 2020, the 28-year-old artist – real name Megan Jovon Ruth Pete – was shot in the foot by rapper Tory Lanez. The ensuing legal battle ended last December, with Lanez currently awaiting sentencing.

After ascending to global fame in 2018 with the hit single “Big Ole Freak” from her album Tina Snow, Megan has released new music on a regular basis. Her latest record, Traumazine, debuted in 2022.

While fans may be wondering when they can expect her to drop the next summer anthem, she’s admitted that her mental and physical health has taken priority.

“Fans can expect new music when I’m in a better place,” Megan told InStyle. “Right now, I’m focused on healing.”

She further explained: “The music and entertainment industry can be a grind, so it’s important to take time off and avoid burning out. Life is all about balance.”

Over the last half year, the three-time Grammy winner has been embroiled in a court battle against fellow musician Lanez, who was eventually found guilty in December 2022 of shooting Megan in the foot after a 2020 party.

Earlier this month, a judge denied Lanez’s motion for a new trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 13 June and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Megan Thee Stallion at the CMT Music Awards (Evan Agostini/AP)
Megan Thee Stallion at the CMT Music Awards (Evan Agostini/AP) (AP)

In April, Megan opened up about the impact of both the event and the cultural reaction to it in an emotional essay for Elle.

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

Explaining that she saw herself as a “survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable” rather than a “victim”, the rapper said that she had had to face her trauma being turned into a “running joke”.

“First, there were conspiracy theories that I was never shot,” she wrote. “Then came the false narratives that my former best friend shot me. Even some of my peers in the music industry piled on with memes, jokes, and sneak disses, and completely ignored the fact that I could have lost my life.

“I wish I could have handled this situation privately. That was my intention, but once my attacker made it public, everything changed. By the time I identified my attacker, I was completely drained.”

Megan added that she “started falling into a depression” where “I didn’t feel like making music”.

“I was in such a low place that I didn’t even know what I wanted to rap about,” she continued. “I wondered if people even cared anymore… It never crossed my mind that people wouldn’t believe me”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in