Megan Thee Stallion Takes Hot Girl Summer to New Level with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover

Meg the Stallion is having her moment after gracing the 2021 cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The “Hot Girl Summer” artist is making history in the process, marking the first time a female rapper appeared on the magazine’s front page.

“When I got the call that they wanted me on the cover, I was like, ‘Wha—? Me?’ And to be the first female rapper on the swim cover makes it extra special,” Megan told PEOPLE.

The rapper cites the importance of Black representation throughout the magazine’s history. Meg Thee Stallion has a long legacy to uphold, from Tyra Banks becoming the first black woman on the cover in 1996 to Beyonce’s 2007 appearance as the first non-model for the issue.

So I just realized that I made an error by saying Megan is the first “female rapper” when it should just be “rapper”, period.

— ♏️ (@Coolness941) July 19, 2021

“I think they are on the forefront when it comes to diversity and inclusion because they do not fear change, they lean into it,” Megan shared with PEOPLE. “They see the world and have it reflect on the cover and pages inside. That is why they have been so successful.”

I love Megan so much bc she’s strong and thick and looks exactly how a body should look 😌🙏🏻 she makes me feel so much better about my self bc she’s stunning and natural, so Ik I can be too

— Audrey Bell OF (@DressupCutie) July 19, 2021

After training for months before her big shoot, Megan was ready to get her feet sandy and hair wet. She and photographer James Macari spent the day by the ocean. The rapper owned her curves and stretch marks with killer swimsuits from Nikita Karizma, Dolce & Gabanna, and more.

But it was her cover shot that left people talking. The tan, high-cut bottoms and matching strappy top from Fashion Nova fit to perfection. The look is pulled together with a shimmering gold bracelet by Lizzie Fortunato.

“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,” SI Swimsuit Editor in Chief MJ Day stated, according to Billboard. “I love that she wanted to show a range of who she was and how she can be celebrated.”

Day goes on to share that the women featured on this year’s cover are “their own brands… are different… but a reminder that beauty comes in many forms.”

good morning i have many reasons to love this picture of miss megan thee stallion pic.twitter.com/5rMIdhPk7F

— nat ☾︎ (@jiiyeos) July 19, 2021

Tennis star Naomi Osaka posed for her own cover of this year’s issue, becoming the first Black athlete in history to do so. Meanwhile, Leyna Bloom’s seaside photoshoot marked the first time an openly transgender model held the title of making it onto an SI cover.

Be sure to check out Instagram for Osaka and Bloom’s covers and statements.