“Prove It On Me Blues” is the story of a woman who is in conflict with her female interest. Various instances of the song imply us to the idea that queer relationships existed in the time period of 1923-1924 in which the song was recorded. This however maybe surprising to some considering that these are topics rarely discussed when it comes to “American History.” Sexual orientation between same sex beings has recently become “appropriate” to discuss openly over the dinner table. As argued by Davis, “the blues was a privileged site in which women were free to assert themselves publicly as sexual beings.” Not only did the blues provide a free space for African American women to speak about personal sexual encounters but it served as a platform to challenged ideas around gender roles.

Rainey’s lyrics are powerful in that she is not afraid to voice that she is a powerful woman that can tend to a female just as a male can and is unashamed about. She even boasts about the way she talks to females “just like any old man.” Her tone in this lyric is one of a “hahahaha bet you didn’t know I could do that?!”  Rainey is almost daring someone to say something to her about it or questions her actions in her decision to play the role of what is normally understood to be the role of the male species.  The comfort level that Rainey has with speaking on this topic is very present in her tone of voice while singing it as well as in her lyrics. What makes the song stronger however is the lack of male presence in the song. Not one time in the song are we introduced to male character that has any say so or welcomed opinion about the main woman’s involvement with someone of her same sex.

Though Rainey’s attitude about may seem a bit bold, a few of today’s contemporary artist can be found speaking on the same exact topics however in a more or less welcoming setting. Female artist such as rapper Nicki Minaj openly speak about there sexuality just as Rainey did with lyrics like, “She so fuckin fine that I touched her up again, told her last time she can bring her other friend,” from “Girls Kissing Girls” by Nicki Minaj.  In contrast, however, lesbian relationships seem to be hyper sexualized, by male artist and other matriarchal controlled media. Many male perspective songs and other forms of media serve as a tool toward this hyper-sexualization by inviting themselves and creating what is called a ménage à trios, or threesome. For example, in Lil Wayne’s recent song “Every Girl” featuring Drake, the line “are any of ya’ll into girls, lesbiahonest (let’s be honest),” almost takes away the ownership lesbian women should have over their identity. In comparison however I like to think that despite time differences and generation gaps that both Minaj and Rainey were just requesting acceptance of loving whomever they desire to love.