When we think about hip hop, many things come into our mind. We could mention how, through its rebellious essence, it initiates social commentary, as well as embodies the experiences of the African-American community. But we could also talk about how, as it’s turned into a mainstream product, it has also suffered from the influence of capitalist attitudes such as sexism, materialism, and disconnect. The point is that this genre is full of history and perceptions, both negative and positive. It has become such an important aspect of contemporary culture that its representatives are pretty diverse. The female artists of this genre are particularly amazing at creating stories and perspectives that are usually not as explored or presented. Here are 5 women who have left their mark through their music.
Lauryn Hill
Highly influenced by Jamaican music (she actually made her debut solo album in that country), Lauryn Hill has become one of the most influential female rap artists of all times. With just one album, Hill achieved what many hope for a lifetime. She won five of ten Grammy nominations, including Album of the year. Sadly, after all the success she had as a solo artist, Lauryn Hill decided to take a long break from the industry, and even today she only makes small appearances once in awhile. Still, that single record was enough to catapult her to the top.
Missy Elliot
Missy was already a succesful a producer and songwriter before going solo. However, her journey wasn’t as smooth and calm as it might sound. She had to fight hard against discrimination and sexism to be taken seriously, and we could say she managed to do so. Always with a political opinion in mind, she arrived at the hip hop party to revolutionize the image of women in the industry.
Remy Ma
Considered one of the most badass female rappers, Remy Ma based most of her career (and apparently life) on debunking the idea of the feeble and weak. She’s one of the only five female rappers with a number one hit in the Billboard list but her image changed when she was accused and imprisoned for six years for being suspect of participating in a riot. Throughout her career, she’s been in the middle of feuds and scandals, but still she has proven that talent sometimes doesn’t go hand in hand with how we act.
Queen Latifah
Rapper, actress, producer, comedian, and activist, Queen Latifah has proven that fame isn’t all about luxuries and enjoying life, but a position with a responsibility. In that way, she’s become one of the most notorious and hardworking spokespeople for feminism and racial equality. Since the eighties, when women weren’t really considered fit to engage in the genre, she fought to make a name as a rapper and devoter her career to exposing her own experiences and difficulties as an African-American woman.
Sylvia Robinson
Considered the “Mother of Hip Hop,” Robinson started her musical career at the age of 14 years, during the decade of the fifties. However it wasn’t until the late sixties and early seventies that she decided to debut as a solo artist and engage in the hip hop genre, being one of the first (if not the first) woman to do so. With a successful career as a producer and a record executive, she continued working and being an essential voice for the genre until her death in 2011.
These women proved that no matter how difficult it might be, working hard and being determined can take you anywhere you want, even in a medium thought to be exclusive to men.
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