This is what it’s like to be Megan Thee Stallion

“Being a rapper and still trying to pursue an education is really overwhelming sometimes.” That’s the kind of shame-free, lets-dispense-with-the-bullshit realness we’ve come to expect from the voice of Megan Pete, now better known to rap fans nationwide as Houston’s Megan Thee Stallion. Megan might be the current heir to her city’s wood-grained throne of hip-hop glory, but she’s also class of 2019 at Texas Southern University—and to hear her tell it, that status means as much to her as does any amount of rap career success. In the newest episode of FREQUENCIES, our collaborative documentary series with WAV, we got up close and familiar with the many sides of Megan Thee Stallion, from nights spent workshopping bars in the studio (with Megan’s mom providing critical feedback) through days spent grinding towards a degree on campus.

In the episode, Megan’s surroundings shift at a breakneck pace, swerving from fans screaming her name from the crowd to college counselors warning about a heavy math class load, but Megan’s realness and determination remain consistent throughout. It’s a crucial reminder that Megan Thee Stallion is a person, not a character—and an explanation for how she balances the demands of her many roles with such admirable finesse. “I feel like, when people realize that they are the only person they need to impress, everybody’s life will be a lot smoother," says Megan. “Once you really know yourself, can’t nobody tell you nothing about you.”