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Why these 5 hip hop queens still remain important
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 20th May 2015 | Jelena
Even though some of these women have taken a step back from the spotlight their influence still remain untouched and they have opened up the path for young female artists. With icons such as 2 Pac, Nas, Notorious B.I.G, N.W.A, and Run–D.M.C. it was hard for women to make a name for themselves and gain respect in a male dominated industry. Hip-hop is often considered sexist but these women turned it round. Female artists started rapping about empowering women, sex, "femininity”, violence and crime while showing the guys that they can play at their game, being capable of standing as tall as the next man.
Salt-N-Pepa
“Got to break my neck just to get my respect/Go to work and get paid less than a man/When I’m doin’ the same damn thing that he can/When I’m aggressive then I’m a bitch/When I got attitude you call me a witch/Treat me like a sex-object (that ain’t smooth)/Underestimate the mind, oh yeah, you’re a fool/Weaker sex, yeah, right, that’s the joke (ha!)/Have you ever been in labor? I don’t think so, nope/I’m a genuine feminine female thang" – Ain’t Nothing but a She Thing
The ground breaking trio from Queens, New York - Cheryl James, Sandra Denton, and Deidra Rope - formed one of the first and most well-known female rap crews, Salt-n-Pepa. At the time women in hip-hop were primarily associated with male crews. There were demands of feminism and equality but a majority of female rappers chose to adapt the masculine self-presentation. But Salt-N-Pepa embraced their “femininity” wanted to be recognised for it. They empowered women by speaking about embracing their beauty, protecting and owning their sexuality, gender equality and by rapping about social issues such as HIV/AIDS.
Queen Latifah
“Instinct leads me to another flow/Every time I hear a brother call a girl a bitch or a ho/Trying to make a sister feel low/You know all of that gots to go” - U.N.I.T.Y.
Queen Latifah has long been considered as one of the industry’s female pioneers with a career spanning over two decades. This multitasking businesswoman started off her empire by beat boxing for the hip hop group Ladies Fresh. In 1989 Queen Latifa released her debut album All Hail the Queen. Her focus was to uplift women and her attitude, passion and rough style established her as one of the greats. Following the independent woman theme that Salt-n-Pepa captured in many of their songs, Latifah released hits like 'Ladies First' and 'U.N.I.T.Y.' (which is still one of our favourite tunes) that became anthems for female hip-hop lovers, songs which they could proudly sing out loud, holding their heads high while blasting the speakers.
As she became more recognised and started to earn money, her interest in business took hold. Queen Latifah saw opportunities in the music business, particularly in record production. In 1991, Latifah became chief executive officer and one of the original members of the Flavor Unit Records crew. Flavor Unit found new hip-hop acts and helped them get started - one of the most successful acts that the company discovered was Naughty by Nature.
Lil’ Kim
“Spread love that's what a real mob do/Keep it gangsta look out for her people (For her people)/I'm the wicked bitch of the east, you better keep the peace (Aiyyo!)/Or out come the beast" - The Jump Off
The iconic boss diva, born and raised in Brooklyn, entered the game in 1996 and was not going to leave until she had proven that females in hip-hop could be as bad as the men! Her debut album Hard Core was certified double platinum and produced three #1 singles in a row, a record for a female MC. I remember singing along to 'How Many Licks' at ten years old, having no idea what the lyrics were about (safe to say it made my jaw drop years later). What caught my interest for Lil’ Kim even at that young age was her "‘I don’t give a fuck" attitude. She brought hit after hit using raunchy, biting lyrics. Lil’ Kim rapped about her sexual prowess with an attitude and swagger that showed that she was the one in charge of her sexuality and nobody else.
Lauryn Hill
“Sometimes it seems/We'll touch that dream/But things come slow or not at all/And the ones on top, won't make it stop/So convinced that they might fall/Let's love ourselves then we can't fail/To make a better situation/Tomorrow, our seeds will grow/All we need is dedication” - Everything Is Everything
The female poet of hip-hop, this woman carries an aura of elegance and grace. Her lyrics are her most deadly weapon - they make us face reality but still hope for something better if we just take action of our own lives. Lauren expresses her emotions, often about love, heartbreak and empowering women, which makes it easy for listeners to relate to her. Who has not felt mistreated or gone through a rough breakup? But one can’t just look past her incredible vocals. There's no moment quite like listening to Lauryn Hill's vocal expertise on the Fugees' 'Killing Me Softly'.
She launched her illustrious career with the influential hip-hop trio The Fugees in the early 1990s but has had a successful solo career with hits such as ‘Everything Is Everything’, ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ and ‘Ex-Factor’. Hill’s enormous success as part of the The Fugees, followed by her stunning solo album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, made her one of hip-hop’s most distinguished figures toward the end of the 20th century.
Missy Elliott
“Boy, lift it up, let's make a toast-a/Let's get drunk, that's gon' bring us closer/Don't I look like a Halle Berry poster/See the Belvedere playin' tricks on ya/Girlfriend want to be like me, never/You won't find a bitch that's even better” – Work It
The one and only Missy “misdemeanour” Elliott can turn up the volume at any party with her catchy lyrics and crazy beats! Missy was one of the artists that put a lot of work into her videos, making them match her personality and stay timeless. If I needed to take a break from reality I used to put on a Missy track and enjoy some sick lyrics written by a MC genius. Even though most of Missy’s tracks are about enjoying life, she does get personal, like with her track 'I Can't Stand The Rain'. Her lyrical talents, loyalty and kindness were reflected in her own success, which includes five Grammys, six platinum albums, 30 million records sold and a 1,000% album sales gain since her Super Bowl performance.
Her success can also be measured by the success of the women she mentored through the industry, from Aaliyah to Ciara. She produced hits for them all and collaborated with them on her albums. Her belief in the power of sisterhood begins with teaching a woman to love herself first. Elliott's lyrics promote women's self-possession and self-love. She is a survivor of both domestic abuse and sexual abuse, and she has spoken eloquently about the effect those experiences have had on her life. Missy, like the others, you are a legend, we salute you! A new album is well overdue!
