Women in Rap
Posted by: Shelia in Music, tags: Angie Martinez, Da Brat, Eve, Foxy Brown, Left Eye, Lil Kim, MC Lyte, Mia X, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Roxanne Shante, Salt N Pepa, Yo YoIt’s Day 3 of music dedication week. Today’s feature - female rappers or rap groups from the 80’s & 90’s.
Salt N Pepa
I think it was 1985 or 1986 when I first heard about this rap duo who had young ladies around the world wanting to be just like them.
Queen Latifah/Yo-Yo/MC Lyte
Queen Latifah’s U.N.I.T.Y. and Ladies First became the women’s anthem for the day. Who can forget “Don’t mess with my yo-yo?” MC Lyte was clever on the microphone and had hits like Cappuccino and Ruff Neck. All three of the ladies collaborated on the Brandy “I Wanna Be Down” remix.
Lil‘ Kim/Da Brat/Angie Martinez/Missy Elliott/Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez
This video collaboration features rappers who were never afraid to push things to the edge and all rapped to their own beat.
EVE
Eve’s been acting so some folks may have forgetten she started off as a rapper. Here’s Eve with Alicia Keys.
Mia X
It’s not surprising that this Louisiana rapper, Mia X, liked to get her ”shine” on like the man who helped put her on the map–Master P. Foxxy Brown joins her on this video.
Honorable Mention: Roxanne Shante came on the scene with the “dis record” Roxanne’s Revenge. For those who like hip-hop, you have to check out the full DVD of this clip.
The rap category for women was slim. Who was one of your favorite female rappers past or present?




Entries (RSS)
May 6th, 2008 at 9:39 am - Edit
The group I like on here is Salt n Pepa…Push it was my jam back in the day…
May 6th, 2008 at 9:44 am - Edit
My all-time favorite will always be Roxanne Shante, mostly because she has the same squeaky voice when she raps that I have and she came out dissing brothers hard with “Roxanne’s Revenge.” I adore Lauryn Hill. I’ll always love Salt-N-Pepa and Queen Latifah, always. And I love me some Lil Kim. I wish she hadn’t jacked up her face. As you can see I love my femcees.
So I can’t pick just one.
Gwyneth
May 6th, 2008 at 9:46 am - Edit
Definitely, Queen Latifah has my respect. Her messages were positive and so was her personality throughout her career. She has done so well for herself and I believe it’s because of her positive attitude and spirit. I’ve followed her through her music, the sitcom, movies and the endless endorsements through time. She’s a jewel and big props to the Queen!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am - Edit
Alesia, I used to know the whole dance routine for Push It.
Gwyneth, and then there was the Real Roxanne but she couldn’t touch Roxanne Shante. You know I didn’t list Lauryn Hill because I look at her as more as a singer than a rapper but she’s definately one of my favorites.
MissyT, when the Queen came out, her messages were uplifting to black women unlike the rap music that’s out now.
May 6th, 2008 at 6:51 pm - Edit
i am happy and shocked to see you mention roxanne shante. so many people underestimate the impact she made in hip hop. i was a stone cold mc lyte fan. salt n pepa, latifah, and all those females were cool. but lyte was the truth.
May 6th, 2008 at 8:18 pm - Edit
I like all these women, not only were they rappers but they turned about to be talented contributions to the arts. Some have broken out of the rap genre to become household names amongst all Americans
May 6th, 2008 at 10:45 pm - Edit
Don, don’t be surprised, I like music in all genres
Remember the movie Brown Sugar–the character Sanaan Lathan played could have been me. lol
MrsGrapevine - true. Queen Latifah has definately been doing her thing in Hollywood.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:01 pm - Edit
Hands down for me… MC Lyte… she was the truth
May 11th, 2008 at 11:26 pm - Edit
Eb and you know it. Mc Lyte could flow.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:53 am - Edit
[…] in Rap Posted in May 5th, 2008 by in Uncategorized Women in Rap It’s Day 3 of music dedication week. Today’s feature - female rappers or rap groups from the […]