Megan Thee Stallion becomes the first hip-hop artist ever to pose on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and only the second musical artist to blaze the cover only following Beyonce’s iconic cover back in 2007. 

This year’s issue of the annual SI Swimsuit cover premieres on Monday (July 19). The issue also features pop singer Tinashe and Brazillian pop star Anitta inside the magazine pages. The Texas rapper is in one of three covers, along with the NO. 1 female tennis player in the world, Naomi Osaka, and model actress Leyana Bloom, who is the first transgender woman to cover the magazine in Sports Illustrated history. 

“I want to thank all the strong women in my life who inspired me to love my body and live my best hot girl life.” The rapper said in an Instagram post.”It means the world to me to be on this cover DREAM COME TRUE.” In an interview with Billboard, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editor-in-Chief, MJ Day, had some nice words about the artist. “In terms of the whole package of Megan Thee Stallion, it’s not just Meg the rapper. It’s not just Meg, the advocate. It’s not just Meg the academic,” says Day. “She’s so passionate, she’s so professional, she’s so driven, and she’s so kind and wonderful and empowering and uplifting.” 

Megan Thee Stallion continues to be an inspiring force in hip-hop. A trailblazer in music, leading the culture as a woman in a male-dominated industry, Meg continues to inspire her fans and counterparts alike.