For as long as Hip-Hop has existed, it has been dominated by the microphone wielding bravado of the male gender. Among these testosterone fueled rap gods however, have risen tiny but powerful pockets of resistance from the fairer sex; women yearning to grab the mic and tell their story.
Though numerous ladies have attempted to put their stamp on the game, only a select few have been able to earn the respect and the recognition of their male counterparts. From the underground lyricists, to the overtly sexual "glamazons", the question of who the best female rappers are will most assuredly give rise to heated discussions.
Here's what I came up with....
5. Jean Grae
The daughter of accomplished South African jazz musicians, the MC known as Jean Grae has been rocking the underground for over a decade. Armed with ferocious lyrics that rival most rappers-regardless of gender, only time will tell if Ms. Grae will finally get the commercial acclaim she so desperately seeks.
4. Rah Digga
Born Rashia Fisher, Rah Digga was the only female member of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad. The New Jersey native shook up the hip-hop world in 2000 with her near classic debut album Dirty Harriett. Her witty punch lines and hardcore flow upstaged most, if not all, of her fellow Flipmode Squad members (including Busta Rhymes himself).
3. Lil' Kim
Whether or not you are a supporter of Kim's verbal war with Nicki Minaj, there can be no denying that she has solidified herself as one of the all-time greats. A protege of late rapper Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim got her start as a member of the hip-hop group Junior Mafia. Her solo debut album Hardcore showed the world that female rappers could be just a filthy and raunchy as their male counterparts. Shocking sexual content aside, Lil' Kim is a bona fide spitter; riding beats effortlessly with her gritty yet perfectly feminine voice.
2. MC Lyte
MC Lyte rose to prominence in the 1980's with her debut Lyte as a Rock. The Brooklyn native is well known as being a gifted lyricist and storyteller, inspiring a plethora of prominent female rappers.
1. Lauryn Hill
With just one solo album under her belt, the critically acclaimed The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Ms. Hill tops my list as the best female rapper. By proving that female artists can be both thoughtful and accessible she has set the barometer my which we measure femcees almost unreachably high.
Whether or not you agree with my picks for the best female rappers, there is no disputing that these ladies are some of the best we will ever have.
If you love female rappers you might also enjoy checking out Madd Mary. She is one of many talented new female rappers on the scene today.
Click here to download a copy of her latest EP for free.
No comments:
Post a Comment