Megan Thee Stallion, known for her bold presence in the music industry, is embroiled in a legal battle with her record label, 1501 Entertainment, over an alleged album leak and unpaid royalties. Despite facing challenges, including being shot by Tory Lanez and receiving criticism for her song 'W.A.P' with Cardi B, Megan continues to assert her dominance with her latest album, Traumazine. The album reflects her experiences as a Black woman in the spotlight, overcoming adversity with resilience. The article also mentions new music from Isabella Lovestory, Stefflon Don and Spice, Sudan Archives, and insha, highlighting their unique contributions to the music scene.

Britain has supplied only 39 percent of the 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses it pledged to poorer countries a year ago, making it one of the 'worst offenders' according to the People’s Vaccine Alliance. No G7 member state has met their vaccine donation targets. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office argues that global vaccine supply now exceeds demand, and they are reassessing resource prioritization. A study by Imperial College London found that vaccinations prevented 20 million deaths globally in the first year, but inequities in distribution resulted in fewer lives saved in low-income countries. The Tony Blair Institute highlighted a lack of political will and logistical issues as barriers to vaccine donations. There is progress in Africa with local vaccine production, but concerns remain about the potential hoarding of new omicron-specific vaccines by wealthy countries.

gal-dem introduces a selection of emerging music artists to watch in 2023, highlighting their recent achievements and upcoming projects. The article features artists such as Rachel Chinouriri, Nia Archives, Hemlocke Springs, Olivia Dean, KYE, Bloody Civilian, Somadina, and Alemeda, detailing their unique sounds and the anticipation for their new music. The piece also references past successes in promoting artists like FLO, Koffee, Sudan Archives, and Nova Twins. The article is accompanied by an extended Spotify playlist.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, has concluded her headlining shows at Buenos Aires' Movistar Arena, marking the end of a chapter in her career. With her third album 'Alma' achieving global success and earning RIAA certifications, Nicole reflects on her journey from the freestyle rap scene to collaborating with major artists. Despite personal challenges, including a public breakup with Peso Pluma, she remains focused on her music, teasing new material that returns to her rap roots. Nicole is recording in Buenos Aires and Miami, driven by the anticipation of her fans for her upcoming fourth album.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, has seen significant success with her third album 'Alma,' leading to 1.6 billion streams worldwide. She defines herself as a rapper with diverse genre collaborations. Nicole's recent Buenos Aires concert marked the end of a chapter, coinciding with personal turmoil from a public breakup with Peso Pluma. Despite this, she received overwhelming fan support. Nicole's upcoming untitled album will focus on her rap roots, with sincere lyricism intended for listener catharsis. She is motivated by fan expectations and is recording new material in Buenos Aires and Miami.

The Chilean band Hacia La Victoria, whose members were blinded by police during the 2019-2020 social protests, uses music to protest against police violence. The band criticizes a new law that increases penalties for crimes against police officers and establishes privileged self-defense in force-related actions, which has been warned by Amnesty International to have serious human rights implications. The law was passed after a rise in police deaths and a 32% increase in the national homicide rate. The government's support of the law is seen as a betrayal by the band, as it gives more freedom to the police without reforming institutions. The case of David Toro, killed by police with an Uzi, exemplifies the dangers of the new law. Despite a high number of human rights violation complaints during the protests, few have led to charges, and the new law is already being used to defend police in court.

At Lollapalooza Chile's eleventh edition, LGBTQ+ Latin American artists like Álex Anwandter, Villano Antillano, Tokischa, and Marilina Bertoldi took the stage to promote tolerance and unity. Anwandter teased his upcoming album with themes of identity, while commemorating the fight against the Pinochet dictatorship's legacy. Villano Antillano, a Puerto Rican rapper, celebrated trans-inclusive feminism and brought iLe on stage for a women empowerment anthem. Tokischa, a queer Dominican star, performed a raunchy set celebrating sexual freedom, and Bertoldi represented queer indie-rock, emphasizing 'Lesbian power!' The festival highlighted the importance of representation for both audiences and artists.

In Buenos Aires, women are challenging the male-dominated and often misogynistic traditions of tango music and dance. Tango classics, known for their anti-women lyrics, are being reinterpreted in light of feminist movements such as #NiUnaMenos. Marisa Vazquez, a tango singer and composer, founded Tango Hembra, the city's first female-only international tango event, to address discrimination against women in professional tango. Despite the historical dominance of men in tango, with women facing lower salaries and fewer opportunities, the event showcased female tango artists and included debates, workshops, and performances. The recent International Women's Day march in Argentina reflects a growing feminist movement, which has given new life to songs addressing women's issues and has inspired women in tango to seek equal treatment in the art form.

Chile's decision to rename Santiago's international airport after Nobel laureate poet Pablo Neruda has sparked controversy due to his admitted rape in his memoirs. The cultural committee of Chile’s lower house voted for the change, citing Neruda's pride to Chileans. However, feminist movements and human rights activists oppose the honor, highlighting the current climate of challenging rape culture and the #MeToo movement. The controversy is fueled by a passage in Neruda's memoir describing his rape of a maid, which has only recently become a subject of debate. While some, like author Isabel Allende, recognize Neruda's flawed character but still value his literary work, others like student activist Karen Vergara Sánchez call for a stop to his idolization due to his abusive actions. The decision now moves to the chamber of deputies for a final vote.

In Santiago, Chile, a protest advocating for free and legal abortion was marred by violence when three women were stabbed by masked attackers. The incident occurred during a march, with one woman injured in the stomach and two others in the legs. A policeman was also hurt. No arrests have been made, but the marchers suspect anti-abortion radicals. The Social Patriot movement acknowledged their counter-protest but denied involvement in the stabbings, which they attributed to 'anarcho-feminists'. Abortion laws in Latin America are under scrutiny, with Argentina's congress set to debate a bill on legalizing abortion. Chile's current government, led by Sebastian Piñera, is seen as potentially reversing the limited abortion rights established under former president Michelle Bachelet. The government's muted response to the attacks and the rightwing media's initial silence have been criticized by activists and public figures like comedian Natalia Valdebenito, who vows that the feminist movement will persist despite the violence.

The article discusses the impact of the Oscar-nominated film 'A Fantastic Woman' on the transgender community in Chile, particularly in the context of the country's ongoing struggle for trans rights. The protagonist, Marina, played by trans actress Daniela Vega, faces discrimination after her partner's death, mirroring the real-life challenges of trans individuals in Chile. The film's international recognition coincides with significant legislative efforts, such as the Gender Identity Recognition and Protection Bill, which aims to simplify the legal process for trans people to change their names and gender. Despite progress, the conservative political climate, influenced by a history of dictatorship and Catholic values, poses challenges. The article features comments from trans activists and highlights the importance of the film in raising awareness and empathy for trans issues in Chile.