By Women, as well as their male peers are a part of hip-hop and rap. Ladies have proved time and time again that hip-hop is not merely a man’s activity, whether it’s by their rapping talents, literary expertise, or ground-breaking decision-making skills behind the scenes.
In recent years , due to impressive collaborations and booting abilities, a number of female rappers such as Tierra Whack and Rapsody have made their way to the head of the hip-hop class and RapTV. However, amid these tremendous advances, when it comes to rating the strongest in the category, women are consistently left out of the dialogue.
Today , new hip-hop stars such as Nicki Minaj and Lizzo have also ascended their way to the top, inspired by a wave of women before them. They are proving themselves in a business historically wired toward them.
Women who are popular in the hip hop industry:
Lauryn Hill:
Lauryn Hill has been recognized as one of the most successful rappers of all time since the beginning of her solo career in the mid-’90s. Her soulful voice, catchy melodies and associated songs influenced numerous of female rappers in her footsteps to pursue.
Hill launched her hip-hop career when she was 13 years old when she founded a rap group trio named Fugees with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. They released their first album, “Blunted on Truth,” in 1994, when Hill was 18, to mixed critical reviews. However their first true taste for commercial success came with their second album release. They received two Grammys for their 1996 release, The Score, and sold 17 million units, rendering the trio the highest-selling rap group of all time.
Queen Latifah:
Part of the storied Native Tongues crew in New York region along with the likes of Jungle Brothers, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Hunt, Queen Latifah was one of the first female hip-hop rappers. The collective Native Tongues are recognized for their socially oriented, mostly optimistic lyrical content, but Latifah made a reputation for herself to speak about problems in Black women’s lives. Songs such as ‘Ladies First’ and ‘Peace’ that highlighted sexual abuse, street abuse and the need for women to create coalitions, rendered the resident of New Jersey a strong advocate for reform.
Nicki Minaj:
Nicki Minaj has extended her ordinary title of rap artist since the beginning of her career in 2007 to become a world-renowned rapper, musician, songwriter, actress and model. After the success of a few mixtapes that captured the public’s eye, her popularity took off in the late 2000s. It skyrocketed in 2010 after the publication of her first studio album, Pink Friday.
Minaj attributes her tremendous achievements to her adverse upbringing. Minaj suffered many years of psychiatric violence emanating from her dad after her relocation from Trinidad to Queens , New York. Minaj ‘s father was a serious opioid user and her mother had become quite violent. Growing up this journey encouraged her to step up and concentrate on empowering women. She felt that her courage would inspire other people to become stronger and transform their life for the better, like her mother.
Bahamadia:
After being influenced by the likes of woman rappers Salt-N-Pepa and Lady B, one of Philadelphia’s first influential MCs, Bahamadia, a former producer, was motivated to join the rap game. Lyrically dexterous with a quick, calm rhythm, the lyrics of Bahamadia serve less bombast than their counterparts, but are no less verbally crafty. An instant classic was her debut release, 1996’s Kollage, and the very first LP to be co-produced and completely recorded by a female MC. Loaded with deceptively simple beats which expose their complexity as they weave over, under, through and around textured melodies, the album is warm and new, full of jazz and soul influences that have become synonymous with the Philadelphia sound.
