Written By @MarcusMCMXC
Recently there has been a top 50 MC list circulating and there was a glaring omission that left many wondering, "Where are the female rappers?" Female rappers have long been overlooked in the Male-dominated industry that is hip hop. It has been known that women in rap have to go twice as hard in their rhymes just to get half of the recognition that their male counterparts receive.
When they do receive the attention, they are mostly criticized for their lyrical content, most recently Jermaine Dupri coming under scrutiny from the comments he made about female rappers saying, "they all rapping about the same thing"...“For me, it’s like strippers rapping. I’m not getting who’s the best rapper.”
Comments like this usually come from people who don't actually take the time to listen to female rappers. Female rap has long been a sub-genre of hip hop because of perceptions like this: men who don't want to listen to a woman be assertive and demand respect, women who feel as though women shouldn't be so explicit, and the general misogyny that pushes the female voice to the back.
Women in rap have the unique ability to make music about what their male counterparts rap about, in addition to, tackling domestic abuse like Eve in "Love Is Blind," expressing the regret that came along with having an abortion like Nicki Minaj in "Autobiography," or dealing with misogyny on the street and demanding respect from men like Queen Latifah in "U.N.I.T.Y."
Mainstream female rap, once a large group of women in the 90's into the early 2000's, with women such as Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Eve, Foxy Brown, Trina, Da Brat, Shawnna, and Remy Ma basically vanished from the scene around 2006 with few offerings from the aforementioned ladies, a couple of singles released with no albums to follow. Fast forward, mainstream female rap has been occupied by one woman for 10 years, but more recently there's been a resurgence, a female rap renaissance if you will. For the first time in over 15 years, there are 5 different female rap acts on the charts, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and the City Girls.
With this new generation of women in the spotlight comes more criticism. The critics argue that women don't write their own rhymes, they only rap sexually-driven lyrics, and they aren't nearly as lyrical as the men. All of these points can easily be proven false if these women, and the women before them were actually listened to.
So to the Jermaine Dupri's of the world, locate your nearest headphones as I take you on this trip of women who will rap your favorite male rapper under the table:
Recently there has been a top 50 MC list circulating and there was a glaring omission that left many wondering, "Where are the female rappers?" Female rappers have long been overlooked in the Male-dominated industry that is hip hop. It has been known that women in rap have to go twice as hard in their rhymes just to get half of the recognition that their male counterparts receive.
When they do receive the attention, they are mostly criticized for their lyrical content, most recently Jermaine Dupri coming under scrutiny from the comments he made about female rappers saying, "they all rapping about the same thing"...“For me, it’s like strippers rapping. I’m not getting who’s the best rapper.”
Comments like this usually come from people who don't actually take the time to listen to female rappers. Female rap has long been a sub-genre of hip hop because of perceptions like this: men who don't want to listen to a woman be assertive and demand respect, women who feel as though women shouldn't be so explicit, and the general misogyny that pushes the female voice to the back.
Mainstream female rap, once a large group of women in the 90's into the early 2000's, with women such as Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Eve, Foxy Brown, Trina, Da Brat, Shawnna, and Remy Ma basically vanished from the scene around 2006 with few offerings from the aforementioned ladies, a couple of singles released with no albums to follow. Fast forward, mainstream female rap has been occupied by one woman for 10 years, but more recently there's been a resurgence, a female rap renaissance if you will. For the first time in over 15 years, there are 5 different female rap acts on the charts, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and the City Girls.
So to the Jermaine Dupri's of the world, locate your nearest headphones as I take you on this trip of women who will rap your favorite male rapper under the table:
BbyMutha
Throughout the years BbyMutha has proved time after time, that she`s one of the most talented lyrists on the music scene. She can ride any beat and delivery nothing quality music with heavy bars. Her lyricism is out of this world, extremely witty, entertaining, informative and incredibly powerful as she pulls you into her world with her words and her smooth southern accent adds to the craziness.
3d Na'Tee- Too Easy
Along with being one of the best storytellers(check out her songs Lil Kim and Maria), 3D Na'Tee has bars that make you go "Did she just say what I think she said?!" and this track illustrates that perfectly.
Remy Ma- Go In Go Off
Despite being a veteran in the game, Remy Ma still raps like she has something to prove in this track from her post-prison mixtape, "I'm Around.", she eats the track up, displaying her gritty bars and raw energy throughout.
Despite being a veteran in the game, Remy Ma still raps like she has something to prove in this track from her post-prison mixtape, "I'm Around.", she eats the track up, displaying her gritty bars and raw energy throughout.
Lil' Kim- Who's Number One?
The Queen Bee let's it be known that she is untouchable in this lyrical assault, showcasing why her crown sits perfectly on her head.
The Queen Bee let's it be known that she is untouchable in this lyrical assault, showcasing why her crown sits perfectly on her head.
Foxy Brown- Run Dem
This track shows the Brooklyn MC in her elements, delivering hard bars, hard lyrics and showcasing her raw and heavy flow and also flexing her signature island accent within her bars.
This track shows the Brooklyn MC in her elements, delivering hard bars, hard lyrics and showcasing her raw and heavy flow and also flexing her signature island accent within her bars.
Lauryn Hill- How Many Mics
Lauryn is said to be a singer more than a rapper, but when she was in her band Fugees she was able to find a clear balance, flex her lyricism more, deliver some sharp bars, and display a solid flow.
Lauryn is said to be a singer more than a rapper, but when she was in her band Fugees she was able to find a clear balance, flex her lyricism more, deliver some sharp bars, and display a solid flow.
Shawnna- R.P.M.
Very few can keep up with this Chicago born MC, formerly of DTP, Shawnna can still rap circles around her male counterparts. Her delivery is straight up fire and raw as she throws herself all the way in and rides any beat she's on.
Very few can keep up with this Chicago born MC, formerly of DTP, Shawnna can still rap circles around her male counterparts. Her delivery is straight up fire and raw as she throws herself all the way in and rides any beat she's on.
Eve- Eve-Olution
Eve is more than a pretty face as her bars are heavy as fuck and her delivery is so direct and sharp, which is no wonder she was nicknamed "The Pitbull In A Skirt."
Eve is more than a pretty face as her bars are heavy as fuck and her delivery is so direct and sharp, which is no wonder she was nicknamed "The Pitbull In A Skirt."
Missy Elliott- Funky Fresh Dressed
Usually left out of MC conversations but there's no denying that Missy Elliott can spit tight bars that showcase her animated rhyming style and alot of colour and range as she's never scared to take risks and display layers to her artistry and on this track she tells other MC's to be very scared if they think about battling her.
Usually left out of MC conversations but there's no denying that Missy Elliott can spit tight bars that showcase her animated rhyming style and alot of colour and range as she's never scared to take risks and display layers to her artistry and on this track she tells other MC's to be very scared if they think about battling her.
Queen Latifah- Name Callin Part 2
You better think again about coming for Queen Latifah as she ain't scared to put you in your place as she puts her adversary on notice that she is NOT the one to be messed with, on this track and her delivery is solid and hard.
You better think again about coming for Queen Latifah as she ain't scared to put you in your place as she puts her adversary on notice that she is NOT the one to be messed with, on this track and her delivery is solid and hard.
Da Brat- Winning
This Chi-Town spitta with flows that are unmatched shows why she was the first solo female rapper to go platinum, her delivery can be so fast but clear as day and so animated and hood.
This Chi-Town spitta with flows that are unmatched shows why she was the first solo female rapper to go platinum, her delivery can be so fast but clear as day and so animated and hood.
Nicki Minaj- Up In Flames
On this track Nicki Minaj goes so hard and delivers some serious bars that will have you shook and her wordplay is extremely tight as she showcases on this track.
On this track Nicki Minaj goes so hard and delivers some serious bars that will have you shook and her wordplay is extremely tight as she showcases on this track.
Megan Thee Stallion- Running Up Freestyle
One of the newest names in the female rap scene, Megan has been showing us that she has what it takes to carry the torch for the women in rap. After her breakthrough with "Big Ole Freak" she went on to release her debut mixtape "Fever" that charted at number 10 and further displayed her amazing bars with a solid flow with sass and grit.
One of the newest names in the female rap scene, Megan has been showing us that she has what it takes to carry the torch for the women in rap. After her breakthrough with "Big Ole Freak" she went on to release her debut mixtape "Fever" that charted at number 10 and further displayed her amazing bars with a solid flow with sass and grit.
Lola Monroe- Darling
Was always one of the baddest video vixens/models we had to date and when she switched over to rapping she proved many people who doubted her wrong with delivery tight bars with a to slick delivery all her own, "Darling" sees Monroe spitting over this Prince sample.."Where y'all bitches learn your manners, bow down this is royalty."
Was always one of the baddest video vixens/models we had to date and when she switched over to rapping she proved many people who doubted her wrong with delivery tight bars with a to slick delivery all her own, "Darling" sees Monroe spitting over this Prince sample.."Where y'all bitches learn your manners, bow down this is royalty."
Snow Tha Product- Bet That I Will
She is simply amazingly as she has an excellent flow and very sharp and colourful delivery and I love when she switches between Spanish and English back and forth in her music. On "Bet That I Will" Snow rips this track from beginning to end and she wakes up people who might've slept on her.
She is simply amazingly as she has an excellent flow and very sharp and colourful delivery and I love when she switches between Spanish and English back and forth in her music. On "Bet That I Will" Snow rips this track from beginning to end and she wakes up people who might've slept on her.
MC Lyte - Lyte As A Rock
MC Lyte was one of the first female rappers to come on the scene and represent for the ladies, she displayed originality, flavor, lyricism, substance, concepts, versatility and free-styling ability.
Rah Digga - Tight
New Jersey rapper and former member of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad, Rah Digga is a motherfucking beast with her catchy punchline flow and her creative lyrics are to the point and full of humor.
New Jersey rapper and former member of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad, Rah Digga is a motherfucking beast with her catchy punchline flow and her creative lyrics are to the point and full of humor.
In conclusion, saying that female rappers don't have bars or go as hard as the men reeks of sexism and willful ignorance. If you take the time and listen to more than what mainstream radio gives you, you will find a host of women speaking beautifully about their struggles, what they enjoy in life, how to please them, and most importantly, why they are unfuckwitable.
@MarcusMCMXC
Cardi B
City Girls
Da Brat
Eve
Jermaine Dupri
Lil Kim
Lizzo
Lola Monroe
MC Lyte
Megan Thee Stallion
Missy Elliott
Nicki Minaj
remy ma
Top MC list
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