Rapping, also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting bars, or rhyming, is the rhythmic spoken delivery of rhymes and wordplay. While it began in the United States in the 1970s, rapping has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, with hip hop music now one of the most popular music genres. Rappers write, memorize, and recite lyrics matching the beat of the music. While rapping has traditionally been a male-dominated artform, female rappers have made an immense impact on hip hop and rap.
The Origins of Female Rappers
When hip hop first emerged in the 1970s, it was predominantly performed by and targeted to young African American males in New York City. However, the genre soon expanded to wider audiences and demographics. Some of rap’s earliest female pioneers included Sha-Rock from the hip hop group Funky Four Plus One, considered to be the first female MC. She rose to prominence in the late 1970s during hip hop’s earliest days. Another early influencer was Lisa Lee of Hip Hop, who emerged in the Bronx in the 1980s. However, these women faced discrimination and doubt as female rappers during hip hop’s infancy.
The first commercially successful female rapper was Roxanne Shanté. Born Lolita Shanté Gooden, she started rapping as a teenager in the 1980s. At age 14 in 1984, she gained notice for her answer record “Roxanne’s Revenge” which dissed rapper UTFO’s hit “Roxanne Roxanne.” The song sparked the hugely popular Roxanne Wars of the mid-1980s, fueled by a series of answer records between rappers. With her quick wit, aggressive and confrontational style, and advanced rhyme schemes, Roxanne Shanté is considered hip hop’s first female MC star.
The Golden Age of Female Rappers
During the “golden age” of hip hop in the late 1980s and early 1990s, female rappers broke through in a major way. Some of the most influential female rappers who rose to prominence and mainstream success during this era include:
- Queen Latifah: Burst onto the scene with her debut album All Hail the Queen in 1989, with hits like “Ladies First.” Noted for promoting positive images of women.
- Salt-N-Pepa: One of the first all-female rap groups, with major hits like “Push It” and “Let’s Talk About Sex.” Empowered female sexuality in rap.
- MC Lyte: First female solo rapper to release a full album with 1988’s critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock. Known for her feminist lyrics and addressing social issues.
- Lauryn Hill: Rose to fame in the Fugees before a hugely successful solo career, with her five-time Grammy winning 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
- Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott: Broke out in the late 90s with hits like “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” and “Hot Boyz.” Known for an experimental style and pushing creative boundaries.
Other notable golden era female rappers include Yo-Yo, Lady of Rage, Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Eve, and more. They found mainstream success with their lyricism, delivery, swagger and skill proving women could rap just as hard as the guys.
Chart Topping Female Rappers
A number of female rappers have climbed to the top of the Billboard charts, showing the commercial viability of women in rap. Here are some of the female rappers who have landed #1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart:
| Rapper | #1 Album | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nicki Minaj | Pink Friday | 2010 |
| Nicki Minaj | Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded | 2012 |
| Iggy Azalea | The New Classic | 2014 |
| Cardi B | Invasion of Privacy | 2018 |
| Cardi B | Invasion of Privacy | 2018 |
Nicki Minaj has notably broken barriers and records for female rappers. She has the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 of any female rapper, and became the first woman to have seven simultaneous songs on the chart in 2019. Other women like Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Eve have also topped the charts, showing rap’s growing inclusion of women.
The New Generation of Female Rappers
In recent years, female rappers have only continued to grow in popularity and success. Some of the current biggest names in female rap who lead hip hop’s new school include:
- Megan Thee Stallion: Known for hits like “Savage,” “WAP” and “Hot Girl Summer.” Unabashedly confident lyrics and expert flow.
- Doja Cat: Broke out with viral hit “Mooo!” Blends hip hop with pop and R&B sounds.
- Saweetie: Hit singles like “My Type” and “Tap In.” Clever wordplay over slick production.
- City Girls: Miami rap duo of Yung Miami and JT. Trap-rap anthems about luxury lifestyles.
- Flo Milli: Alabama rapper behind tracks like “Beef FloMix” and “In the Party.” Known for braggadocios lyrics asserted with flow and personality.
These artists and others like Chika, Tierra Whack, BIA, Mulatto, Rico Nasty, and ppcocaine represent the vanguard of female rappers today. Their diversity of styles, perspectives, and approaches show the boundless potential of women in rap now and in the future.
The Impact of Female Rappers
While hip hop has long been criticized for misogyny and toxic masculinity, female rappers have had an undeniably huge impact on the genre and culture. They have:
- Increased representation and inspired more young girls to pursue rapping and hip hop
- Brought in new perspectives and narratives to the traditionally male-dominated artform
- Topped charts, showing that skill and artistry – not gender – equals success
- Pushed boundaries with bold, assertive lyrics and defiance of traditional gender roles
- Influenced mainstream culture, beauty standards, language and more throughout rap’s global expansion
Female rappers have shifted conversations and perceptions at all levels of hip hop. While the industry still has progress to make for inclusivity, female rappers have played an integral role advancing it as an artform.
Conclusion
Female rappers have made an enormous impact since hip hop’s earliest days, proving women could keep up with the guys stylistically and commercially in the male-dominated genre. From pioneers like Roxanne Shanté, to 90s mega stars like Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill, to today’s leading ladies like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion, female rappers have shown their undeniable lyrical talents and mainstream viability throughout hip hop history. With their unique perspectives, skills and artistry, women in rap have influenced generations of artists and fans. Despite industry challenges, female rappers have persisted and triumphed. They have played essential roles popularizing hip hop across racial, gender and other boundaries. From rap’s origins to today’s rising stars, women in hip hop have cemented their status as cultural icons and trailblazers within the genre they helped shape.