7 times Issa Rae’s mirror raps on “Insecure” hyped us up

Image Image Credit Variety / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Issa Rae Image Size landscape-medium Image Position top When HBO’s groundbreaking series “Insecure” premiered in 2016, nobody could have predicted that some of its most memorable moments would happen in a bathroom. Creator and star Issa Rae introduced a uniquely vulnerable form of character development: the mirror rap. These lyrical bathroom pep talks with her character, Issa Dee, translated to intimate on-screen moments that became so much more than comedic relief. The freestyle sessions peeled back layers of emotions, shaping Issa’s internal monologue in a fresh way. “Mirror B**ch,” as she calls the version of herself that’s stuck behind the glass, is an extension that reflects her inner critic and cheerleader. Mirror raps cornered millennial Black womanhood, self-doubt, and personal growth with relatability. Through these raw, unfiltered moments, viewers watched Issa process everything from workplace microaggressions to relationship drama, creating a new language for self-expression on TV. What started as quirky character moments transformed into cultural touchstones that inspired countless social media videos and validated the private conversations we all have with ourselves when we think no one’s watching. Keep reading for a few of the best quotes from...