As a man, I probably don’t have the best leg to stand on to discuss this song. After all, us tallywacker-having humans (and those without one who still identify as such; an eggplant a man does not make), we’re the ones who’ve made women feel like they have to compete against each other. It’s a pretty messed up landscape, made worse by social media. However, as time goes on, we start to move beyond that foolishness. We start to say “everyone is amazing in their own way.” Because of that push for everyone being seen as the star they are, we get songs like Ainjo’s “If Pretty Was a Contest.”

A song focused on the individuality of humanity and how “looks” are not–nor were they ever–everything, “Pretty” features powerful vocals and even more powerful lyrics. You can tell that this song was thought through and it’s one that’s important–both to Ainjo and to those who’ll end up listening to the track. It’s beautiful and the Southern California native leaves it all out there for the world to hear/see, to see that we can’t continue to beat up on each other. That especially goes for the women of the world, as the patriarchy wants people to battle. Admittedly, I receive some privilege from the patriarchy, even as a Black man, but I want it disassembled like everyone else. Check out the song below, empower your fellow women (and help them to continue empowering themselves) and support dope music in all its forms.