Female rappers have been making waves in the music industry for decades, breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a successful artist in a male-dominated genre. From the early pioneers like Queen Latifah and MC Lyte to modern-day icons like Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, female rappers have consistently proven their talent and creativity.
From the early days of hip-hop until now, women have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of rap music. In this article, we celebrate some of the greatest female rap icons whose contributions have made an indelible mark on the culture.
15 Best Female Rappers Of All Time
1. Queen Latifah
Hip-hop’s first lady, Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens on March 18, 1970, has made her mark in the music industry with her empowering lyrics and socially conscious messages through rap. The multifaceted talent has significantly contributed to music, film, television, and entrepreneurship.
Queen Latifah, 54, is known for her powerful presence, commanding voice, and unwavering authenticity and has solidified her status as a cultural icon and trailblazer.
She merged on the hip-hop scene in the late 1980s with her groundbreaking debut album All Hail the Queen in 1989. With hits like Ladies First and U.N.I.T.Y., she championed female empowerment, social justice, and self-respect, earning critical acclaim and widespread recognition.
Her lyricism, confidence, and unwavering commitment to positive messages set her apart in a male-dominated genre and paved the way for future generations of female artists.
Besides music, the American rapper has enjoyed a successful career in film and television, earning acclaim for her versatility and range as an actress.
She has appeared in a wide range of films, including Set It Off, Chicago, Hairspray, and The Equalizer series. Her performances have garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Chicago.
In addition to her work in entertainment, Queen Latifah is also a savvy entrepreneur and philanthropist. She has launched successful ventures in fashion, cosmetics, and production through her company, Flavor Unit Entertainment. She has also been actively involved in charitable endeavors, supporting causes related to education, health, and social justice.
Whether through her music, acting, entrepreneurship, or philanthropy, Queen Latifah continues to leave an indelible mark on the world, proving that she truly reigns supreme as a queen in her own right.
2. Missy Elliot
Missy Elliott, 53, is a true visionary in the world of hip-hop, known for her innovative production style and boundary-pushing music videos. With hits like Work It and Get Ur Freak On, she has earned critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming one of the most influential female rappers of all time.
As regards her break from the music scene, the trailblazing rapper revealed she had an autoimmune disorder in 2008 however, in 2022 she had two hit collabs. There is no doubt that she is the best female rapper ever.
3. Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill gained prominence as a member of the hip-hop group The Fugees and later went on to enjoy a successful solo career. Her first album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” is widely regarded as a classic in the genre.
By blending elements of hip-hop, R&B, and soul, Hill created a unique sound that resonated with fans globally.
Despite her early success, Lauryn Hill faced challenges in the years following the release of her debut album, including legal issues and public scrutiny. However, she has continued to perform and create music, releasing the critically acclaimed MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 album in 2002.
Overall, Lauryn Hill’s career is characterized by her groundbreaking music, artistic integrity, and cultural impact.
She is widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of her generation, and her influence on the music industry continues to resonate to this day.
4. Lil’ Kim
With her bold fashion and provocative lyrics, Lil’ Kim fearlessly blazed a trail in the rap game with her debut album Hard Core.
Lil’ Kim made a name for herself in the 1990s with her provocative lyrics and bold fashion choices.
As one of the first female rappers to embrace her sexuality in her music, she challenged traditional gender norms and inspired a new generation of artists to be unapologetically themselves.
In addition to her music and fashion sense, her influence is far-reaching. Her fearlessness in expressing herself and her unapologetic acceptance of her sexuality has inspired numerous artists. Her trailblazing legacy in hip-hop still resonates with fans worldwide.
Just like most rappers, Lil Kim has had some legal troubles. She has faced legal troubles throughout her career, including a prison sentence for perjury related to a shooting outside a radio station in 2001.
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5. MC Lyte
MC Lyte burst onto the hip-hop scene in the late 1980s with her debut album Lyte as a Rock (1988), which showcased her exceptional lyricism, confident delivery, and socially conscious themes.
At the age of 17, she became the first solo female rapper to release a full-length album, paving the way for future generations of female artists.
Throughout her career, MC Lyte has achieved critical and commercial success with hits like Ruffneck, Cha Cha Cha, and Paper Thin.
She has released several albums, including Eyes on This (1989), Act Like You Know (1991), and Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1 (2003), earning acclaim for her lyrical prowess and innovative style.
In addition to her music career, MC Lyte has ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Fly by Night and Train Ride and television shows like New York Undercover and Half & Half.
She is also a vocal advocate for social causes, particularly those related to education, empowerment, and women’s rights.
6. Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has become one of the most successful female rappers of all time, with a string of hit singles and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music.
Known for her colorful persona, the Moment for Life crooner has broken records proving that women can thrive in a male-dominated industry. Her versatility and boundary-pushing style have earned her numerous accolades and a devoted fanbase.
In 2010, Nicki Minaj released her debut studio album, Pink Friday, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned hit singles like Super Bass and Moment 4 Life. The album’s success established her as one of the leading female rappers in the industry and earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards.
She has also launched successful business ventures, including her fragrance line and collaboration with MAC Cosmetics.
As one of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, she has inspired a generation of artists with her fearlessness, creativity, and unapologetic self-expression.
Her impact on fashion, beauty, and popular culture is evident in her massive global following and enduring legacy.
7. Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa, consisting of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, is one of the most iconic and influential female rap groups in hip-hop history. They broke down barriers for women in hip-hop and paved the way for future generations of female artists.
They were among the first female rap acts to achieve mainstream success and were instrumental in challenging stereotypes and empowering women through their music.
Salt-N-Pepa achieved commercial success with numerous chart-topping hits throughout their career, including Shoop, Whatta Man (featuring En Vogue), Let’s Talk About Sex, and None of Your Business. Their catchy hooks, clever wordplay, and empowering lyrics resonated with audiences worldwide, making them one of the most beloved acts in hip-hop.
The duo released several critically acclaimed albums, including A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (1988), Blacks’ Magic (1990), and Very Necessary (1993).
8. Remy Ma
Remy Ma, Born Reminisce Mackie on May 30, 1980, is a highly respected rapper known for her gritty lyricism, powerful delivery, and commanding stage presence.
She gained recognition in the early 2000s as a member of the hip-hop group Terror Squad, founded by Fat Joe before she made her solo debut with the album There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story(2006).
The Grammy award she won in 2017 alongside Fat Joe marked a significant milestone in her career. She went on to achieve achieved commercial success with numerous chart-topping hits throughout her career, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with other artists.
Some of her notable singles include Lean Back with Terror Squad, Conceited (There’s Something About Remy), and All the Way Up with Fat Joe.
Her projects have received critical acclaim for their raw lyricism, storytelling, and authenticity.
Remy Ma has appeared on several reality television shows, including Love & Hip Hop: New York and Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies, showcasing her personal life and career journey to a broader audience.
9. Eve
Eve first gained fame in the late 1990s with her debut album Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, showcases her unique blend of street smarts and sophistication. With hits like Who’s That Girl? and Let Me Blow Ya Mind, she has proven herself to be a versatile artist with staying power in an ever-changing industry.
Throughout her career, Eve has continued to push boundaries and break barriers in the male-dominated world of hip-hop. She has released four studio albums, including Scorpion, Eve-Olution, Here I Am, and Lip Lock, all of which have received critical acclaim and commercial success.
Eve has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, and Missy Elliott.
In addition to her music career, Eve has also found success in acting, appearing in films like Barbershop and its sequel, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, as well as the hit TV show Eve, where she played the lead role.
10. Foxy Brown
Foxy Brown made a name for herself in the 1990s with her debut album Ill Na Na, showcasing her fierce talent. With hits like I’ll Be and Hot Spot, she has earned a reputation as one of the top female rappers of her generation, paving the way for future artists to follow in her footsteps.
Some of her albums include Chyna Doll (1999), Broken Silence (2001), and Brooklyn’s Don Diva (2008).
In addition to her music career, Foxy Brown has appeared in films such as The Nutty Professor (1996), Romeo Must Die (2000), and Brown Sugar (2002).
11. Rah Digga
Known for her skilled lyricism, Rah Digga, born Rashia Fisher, gained prominence in the late 1990s as a member of Busta Rhymes’s Flipmode Squad.
She released her debut album Dirty Harriet in 2000 and ever since, she has collaborated with numerous artists in the hip-hop industry, including Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, and Black Thought.
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12. Da Brat
Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris, burst onto the scene with her debut album Funkdafied in 1994, which made her the first solo female rapper to achieve platinum status.
Following the success of her debut, Da Brat released several other albums, including Anuthatantrum (1996), Unrestricted (2000), and Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz (2003). While not achieving the same level of commercial success as her debut, these albums showcased her versatility and continued to solidify her place in hip-hop.
Da Brat has collaborated with numerous artists throughout her career, including Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil’ Kim.
13. Cardi B
The fan favorite, Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar better known as Cardi B, rose to prominence in 2015 with her viral presence on social media and later transitioned into a successful career in music.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper was propelled to stardom following the release of her debut single Bodak Yellow in 2017. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the first female rapper to achieve this solo since Lauryn Hill in 1998.
Her debut album Invasion of Privacy was released in 2018 and it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2019.
Cardi B followed up her debut album with numerous hit singles, including I Like It, Money, and WAP featuring Megan Thee Stallion. She has consistently maintained a presence on the charts and in pop culture.
With her no-nonsense attitude and infectious energy, she has become a role model for young women in the music industry.
14. Jean Grae
Jean Grae began her music career in the late 1990s, initially performing under the name “What? What?” before adopting the stage name Jean Grae.
Born Tside Ibrahim, the late 1990s rapper has released quite a couple of albums and mixtapes. Through that, she has been able to showcase her versatility.
Jean Grae has collaborated with numerous artists in the hip-hop industry, including Talib Kweli, The Roots, Pharoahe Monch, and many others.
15. Tierra Whack
Tierra Whack originally performed as Dizzle Dizz in her teens before she reverted to her birth name in 2017. Since her debut in 2018, the American rapper has collaborated with Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Tyler, and Melanie Martinez.
Also an accomplished spoken word performer, Whack has written poetry since she was a child.
She released her debut mixtape Whack World in 2018. Some of her singles include Toe Jam, Child Please, Shit Happens, Hungry Hippo, Only Child, Gloria and Pepper and Onions.
