IT’S the most talked about song of the year, sparking furious debate over its seriously raunchy lyrics – and catapulting one of its stars to fame.

But even before explicit rap hit WAP made a star of Megan Thee Stallion, the singer had a rollercoaster life, losing both her parents before she was 24, and allegedly being SHOT by a fellow rapper.

Megan Thee Stallion got her second UK hit with WAP. Credit: AP: Associated Press

The 25-year-old has overcome adversity to become an A-list rapper, with famous pals including Beyonce and WAP co-star Cardi B, and an estimated fortune of £2.3million.

This year alone, she had two UK top singles with Savage ft Beyoncé and WAP.

Here we look at the struggles that Megan Thee Stallion has faced on her way to number one.

Megan and Cardi’s raunchy hit has dominated the charts

Losing dad and ‘best friend’ at 15

Born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, in Pearland, Texas the rapper didn’t have an easy beginning in life.

Her father Joe – who she called a “fulltime hustler” – was in and out of prison until she was eight years old, although they shared a close bond when he was home.

He passed away when Megan was 15 and while she has never revealed the cause of death, she told Marie Claire that her parents’ relationship taught her never to settle for less in a relationship.

“I have so many strong positive influences. I’m not going to lower my standards.”

Megan PeteMarie Claire

“I saw how he treated my mom, and I saw how my dad treated me,” she explained.

“I had so many positive influences, I’m not going to lower my standards.”

In a Father’s Day post, earlier this year, she paid tribute to “the best dad in the world, my first best friend, my partner in crime when my mom would fuss at us”.

The rapper had an close relationship with her father before he passed away. Credit: Instagram

Rap inspiration mum loses cancer battle

Talented Megan started writing songs and raps at the age of 16.

She was inspired by her mother, Holly Aleece Thomas, who rapped under the name ”Holly-Wood” and would take her daughter to recording sessions as a child.

But last year, there was more heartbreak for Megan when she lost both her mother and grandmother in the same month.

Her mum – who was also her manager – died from a longstanding brain tumour and her grandmother died a few weeks later.

In March she posted a tribute to her mum, now deleted, which read: “Happy birthday mama I miss you everyday !

“I know you’re watching over me rooting for me and keeping me going. I don’t have you physically here telling me what I should do so I’ve been trying to figure it out on my own remembering all the advice and lessons you’ve taught me before.

“You are such a strong woman and I promise to make you proud and be one too! We love you Holly!”

In honour of Holly, Megan established assisted-living facilities in her hometown of Houston and also began studying Health Administration at university.

Megan’s rapper mum was one of her early influences. Credit: Instagram

Megan’s first hit Hot Girl Summer, ft Nicki Minaj went viral on social media. Credit: Getty Images – Getty

‘Shot by rapper’ in both feet

Earlier this year, Megan claimed she had suffered gunshot wounds after an argument with Canadian rapper Tory Lanez – real name Daystar Peterson – in a car.

The pair were leaving a lockdown-defying party at Kylie Jenner’s house when he allegedly shot her in both feet.

When police arrived she told them she had stepped on broken glass, later claiming she feared they would start shooting if they knew there was a gun involved.

Lanez was later charged with carrying a concealed weapon. He denies Megan’s claims

Megan kept quiet for weeks, finally revealing that Lanez was the shooter last week – prompting some fans to label her a “snitch.”

In the Instagram post, she wrote: “I didn’t tell the police nothing, because I didn’t want us to get in no more trouble than we was about to get in.

“Stop acting like black women is aggressive when all they be doing is speaking the facts, and you can’t handle it.”

Kehlani, JoJo, Young Baby Tate, Halle Berry, Micheal B Jordan, Asian Doll and Chance the Rapper have all come out in support of Megan since the shooting.

Kehlani took Lanez vocals off their collaboration track Can I, and excluded him from the music video.

Megan was accused of being a ‘snitch’ revealing Lanez was the shooter. Credit: Getty Images

Drake rap launches career

Megan’s career finally gained momentum when she appeared in a video rap battle, freestyling over Drake’s 4pm in Calabasas which went viral in 2018.

A year later she released the single Hot Girl Summer featuring Nicki Minaj and TY Dolla Sign which reached number 11 in the US charts.

She then released her mixtape under the name ‘SUGA’, which fans quickly pointed out is the same stage name as BTS’ Min Yoongi.

She has also performed under the stage names Tina Snow and Thee Hood Tyra Banks.

Her current stage name – Meg Thee Stallion – is a reference to her 5ft 10in height and her impressive looks.

Hobnobbing with Beyoncé and Rihanna

Beyoncé became one of the rapper’s famous friends after they met at a New Years Eve party hosted by the Halo star and husband Jay-Z.

She told Variety that within the first five minutes, it felt like they’d had known each other for life.

She went onto say that Beyoncé treated her like family and they talk all the time.

The relationship led to a remix of Meg’s viral song Savage, with Queen B’s vocals, that was released at the beginning of lockdown.

The Black is King songstress also sent flowers to Megan as she underwent surgery for her gunshot wound, along with the message: “Queen, sending you all my love. God bless, Beyoncé.”

Rihanna also sent flowers and good wishes to the injured star.

Meg shared this snap with her 14.4million followers showing her posing with Queen B and Blue Ivy. Credit: Instagram

The 25-year-old stunned at the Variety Hitmakers Brunch. Credit: AP: Associated Press
Despite her newfound success, Megan has had some setbacks and is currently in a legal battle with her record label 1501 Entertainment after she tried to renegotiate her contract.

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation currently manage the artist and 1501 reportedly stopped her from releasing new music back in March 2020.

The singer took to Instagram Live to explain that she was only 20 when she signed her contract.

“When I got with Roc Nation, I got management, real management,” she said.

“I got real lawyers, and they were like: do you know that this is in your contract? And I was like, ‘Oh damn, that’s crazy, no I didn’t know.'”

Megan released her mixtape ”SUGA”, against the wishes of 1501 when a judge granted a temporary restraining order against the recording label.

Juggling hit career with university

While the millions are now rolling in, Megan is still enrolled at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

She is currently in her third year, after taking a break when she hit the big time.

Speaking to Billboard in 2018, Megan spoke about how she was juggling her career with studying.

“I only have to go to school two days out of the week, but I’m there all day long. But now that I have something to do almost every day, it is pretty difficult. So I’m just doing my best.’

”Only one of my professors right now knows that I’m like a whole rapper.

She followed me on Instagram and when I came to class she was like “Megan, so you got a little alter ego!” I was like, “Oh my god. Don’t follow me!”