Top 5 Most Influential Female Rappers

Today, female rappers like Cardi B, Ice Spice, Rat, Koi Lelei, and Megan Thee Stallion dominate the charts and are as common as men in hip-hop. With so many of the rap songs being talked about in the hip-hop community right now by women, it’s no exaggeration to say that this is a great time for female rap.

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Unfortunately, it wasn’t always like this. For the aforementioned artists to access the stardom they have today, women before them had to pave the way. In each decade of her 50-year history in hip-hop, each generation will find her or her two iconic women who broke through the glass ceiling and left a lasting impression. So American Songwriter thought now would be the perfect time to send flowers to the hosts.

Here are five of the most influential female rappers of all time.

1. Nicki Minaj

Known as “The Queen,” Nicki Minaj has dominated the rap world since the late 2000s. Hits like “Super Bass,” “Starships,” and “Anaconda,” as well as featured verses on Kanye West’s “Monster” and Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat.” It was very difficult for Minaj to choose who to show off. Otherwise it’s at the top of this list.

2. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill made an inimitable impact on hip-hop with one studio album aside from her incredible stint with The Fugees. 1998 debut LP Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation This work has stood the test of time flawlessly and has inspired some of the mainstream’s most celebrated artists decades after its release, including Drake, Cardi B, Lizzo, J. Cole, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West. I have given you a ration.

3. MC Light

New York’s MC Wright is a name impossible to leave off this list. In 1988, she became the first solo female rap artist to officially release a studio album.dubbing light as a rockthe project included her career hits like “10% Dis” and “Paper Thin” and eventually opened the door for her to release seven more albums later in her career.

At her peak in 1996, songs like “Keep On, Keepin’ On” and “Cold Rock a Party” were her highest-charting charts.

4. Missy Elliott

A featured artist on MC Wright’s “Cold Rock a Party,” Missy Elliott was a key voice in helping hip-hop transition into the new millennium. With “Sock It 2 Me” and “Hot Boys” shining through her ’90s and “Get Ur Freak On” and “Work It” sweeping her early 2000s, Elliott and her producing partner One Timbaland has established himself as one of the greatest tandems in rap history. .

5. Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah got her start in hip-hop in the late ’80s and early ’90s, but was one of the first rappers, regardless of gender, to demonstrate how to market herself in other forms of entertainment. was a person For example, his 1993 single “UNITY” and 1994 hit “Just Another Day…” reached No. 23 and No. 54 on the US charts. signboard Hot 100, Latifah was also on the legendary FOX sitcom living alone.

To this day, the influence of Latifah’s multiple hyphenated careers is being felt throughout the rap and music industry, with artists continually looking to step into other creative avenues.