Answer: Women are just as much a part of hip-hop and rap as their male counterparts. Whether it’s through their rapping abilities, writing chops, or ground-breaking decision-making skills behind-the-scenes, ladies have proven time and time again that hip-hop isn’t just a man’s game.
In recent years, a cadre of female rappers such as Tierra Whack and Rapsody have fought their way to the head of the hip-hop class, thanks to incredible projects and the skills to boot. However, despite these great strides, women are consistently left out of the conversation when it comes to ranking the best of the genre.
Earlier this summer, The Brew Podcast’s list of the 50 best rappers of all time created a social media furore as there were no women included. In September, Nicki Minaj’s now-deleted retirement announcement was met with everything from sadness to confusion to overall apathy. Many questioned whether Minaj should be included on a list of the Top 10 rappers of all-time, which sparked debates about her discography and whether she is ‘worthy’ of such an honour. Now, BBC Music’s poll of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time includes two female rappers in the top 25, but none in the top fifteen.
Why does hip-hop continue to shut them out?
“Female rappers have always been part of the genre's lineage,” culture critic Taylor Crumpton tells BBC Music. “Yet due to power dynamics, those in charge decided to weaponise their gender in efforts to not grant them the titles they deserve.”
Explanation:
