Who is the 1st female rapper? A comprehensive history and analysis
The first female rapper, or emcee, is considered to be Sharon Green, an icon known by her rap name MC Sha-Rock who emerged from the earliest days of hip hop culture in the 1970s Bronx. As hip hop celebrates 50 years in 2024, let‘s explore the incredible history and impact of women in rap.
The Pioneering Spirit of 1970s Female Rappers
Before diving into the first female rapper, it‘s important to understand the origins of hip hop culture sprouting up in New York City‘s Bronx borough in the 1970s. Pioneering DJs like DJ Kool Herc played records at block parties, doing techniques like looping percussion sections called "breakbeats." Dancing to breakbeats evolved into b-boying/b-girling (breakdancing), and MCs started rapping and rhyming over the music at jams held at hot spots like 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.
During hip hop‘s infancy, women like MC Sha-Rock were part of this burgeoning cultural movement. Sha-Rock joined the influential hip hop group Funky 4 + 1, becoming the first female rapper on the mic. In 1979, Funky 4 + 1 made history with the first female rap record "Rapping and Rocking the House." Other pioneering female rappers in the 1970s included:
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The Sequence – Angie Stone, Cheryl Cook, and Blondie member Debbie Harry rapped on their 1979 single "Funk You Up."
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Lady B – One of the earlier female MCs rocking parties in the South Bronx and Harlem in the 1970s.
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Sha-Rock – Rap pioneer in Funky 4 + 1 who battled misogyny to bum-rush the boys‘ club of hip hop.
As hip hop spread across NYC in the early 1980s, more women jumped on the mic, attracted by the music and culture‘s inclusiveness and competition. Female rappers made their voices heard through underground tapes, local performances, and radio play.
Rise of Female Rap in the 1980s
The 1980s marked a turning point for female rappers breaking through to mainstream recognition. Some key moments include:
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Roxanne Shanté – At age 15 in 1984, she responded to UTFO’s “Roxanne, Roxanne” with the first hit rap answer record “Roxanne‘s Revenge.” It sold over 250,000 copies, making Shanté the first commercially successful female rapper.
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MC Lyte – In 1988, her album Lyte as a Rock made her one of the first solo female rap artists at age 17. She‘s considered one of the best MCs and toured with hip hop legends like Salt-N-Pepa and Slick Rick early on.
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Queen Latifah – Her influential debut All Hail the Queen dropped in 1989, featuring her feminist anthem “Ladies First.” Latifah became a leading voice of the late 1980s/early 1990s “golden age” of hip hop.
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Yo-Yo – Burst onto the scene in 1991 with her debut Make Way for the Motherlode and the hit “You Can‘t Play With My Yo-Yo.” She remains an influential West Coast rapper.
| Year | Key Moments |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Sequence – "Funk You Up" |
| 1984 | Roxanne Shante – "Roxanne‘s Revenge" hits #1 on Hot Rap Singles |
| 1986 | JJ Fad‘s "Supersonic" goes platinum |
| 1988 | MC Lyte drops critically acclaimed debut Lyte as a Rock |
| 1989 | Queen Latifah releases All Hail the Queen album |
| 1989 | Salt-N-Pepa‘s Blacks‘ Magic goes platinum |
| 1989 | De La Soul‘s "Buddy" features gangsta rap pioneer Boss |
While misogyny and dismissal of women rappers as mere novelties persisted, these pioneers proved female MCs were here to stay and paved the way for future generations.
The 1990s Continue Breaking Down Barriers
The 1990s took female rap to new heights as Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, and others rose up the ranks, selling millions of records and demanding respect.
Notable Highlights
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Lauryn Hill – Her 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is considered one of the greatest of all time, fusing rap, soul, and reggae. It made Hill the first female rapper with a diamond-certified album.
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Missy Elliott – She pioneered a funky, futuristic style and became the highest-selling female rapper ever with over 30 million records sold. Songs like "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" and "Hot Boyz" ruled the late 90s.
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Lil Kim – Her raunchy lyrics and bold persona on Hard Core (1996) made her a hip hop icon, as she redefined expectations for female rappers.
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Eve – She achieved crossover success with hits like "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" and became the third female rapper to top the Billboard 100 after Lauryn Hill and Lisa Lopes.
90s Female Rap Album Sales
| Artist | Album | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Lauryn Hill | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | Diamond |
| Missy Elliott | Supa Dupa Fly | Platinum x3 |
| Lil Kim | Hard Core | Double Platinum |
| Foxy Brown | Ill Na Na | Platinum |
This surging female talent proved women could sell just as many records as men in the rap game.
21st Century Queens: Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Today‘s Stars
The 2000s and 2010s have seen female rappers continue to break records and ascend into icon status through major record sales, radio and streaming ubiquity, and accolades like Grammy wins.
21st Century Rap Queens
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Nicki Minaj – With over 100 million records sold, the "Queen of Rap" reigns as the best-selling female rapper of the 2010s. She‘s earned 10 Grammy nods with smash hits like "Super Bass" and "Anaconda."
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Cardi B – Her 2017 breakout hit "Bodak Yellow" made history for female rappers. Cardi became the first woman to win Best Rap Album as a solo artist with Invasion of Privacy (2019).
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Megan Thee Stallion – She broke out with hits like "Savage" and "WAP" featuring Cardi B. In 2021, she became the first female rapper to win Best New Artist at the Grammys in over 20 years.
Top 10 Best Selling Female Rappers of All Time
| Rank | Artist | Certified Units Sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missy Elliott | 30 million |
| 2 | Nicki Minaj | 20+ million |
| 3 | Lauryn Hill | 19+ million |
| 4 | Cardi B | 15+ million |
| 5 | Lil Kim | 9+ million |
| 6 | Eve | 8+ million |
| 7 | Foxy Brown | 7+ million |
| 8 | Queen Latifah | 6+ million |
| 9 | Trina | 5+ million |
| 10 | Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes | 5+ million |
(Source: Recording Industry Association of America)
From hip hop‘s birth in the Bronx through the 2020s, these statistics prove female rappers have the commercial success, critical acclaim, and longevity to stack up against any of their male counterparts.
Fastest Rappers in the Game Today…Who Happen to Be Women
Some of the most speedy, witty spitters in hip hop today are female. Here are 8 of the fastest female rappers:
1. Nicki Minaj
- Known for her lightning fast solo verses and alter egos like Roman Zolanski who rap at breakneck speeds.
- [AUDIO EXAMPLE] Minaj set a Guinness World Record for the most words in a hit single rap verse on Kanye West‘s "Monster."
2. Megan Thee Stallion
- Impressive technical flow with clever wordplay as heard on hits like "Savage" and "Hot Girl Summer."
- [VIDEO EXAMPLE]
3. Doja Cat
- Artfully blends singing and sharp rapping skills as on her viral hit "Say So."
- [AUDIO SNIPPET]
4. Flo Milli
- One of the new generation‘s fastest female rappers, known for songs like "Beef FloMix" and "In the Party."
- [VIDEO CLIP]
5. Roxanne Shanté
- 1980s hip hop pioneer still respected for her battle rap speed and finesse.
- [SHORT CLIP] of iconic early live performance
6. CupcakKe
- Known for ultra rapid fire raunchy raps like "Vagina" and "Deepthroat."
- [AUDIO EXAMPLE]
7. Snow Tha Product
- Mexican-American rapper with complex multisyllabic rhyme schemes and flow.
- [LIVE CLIP]
8. Rapsody
- Talented contemporary rapper and lyricist capable of spitting bars quickly while staying intricate.
- [verses from song]
While often overlooked, these ladies can rap circles around others and prove women can master the technical skills like speed that male rappers are praised for.
Who Will Be the Future Queen of Rap?
Every new generation brings fresh female talent pushing rap forward. Who will wear the crown next?
Keep an eye on rising stars like:
- Mulatto
- Tierra Whack
- BIA
- Noname
- Ritti$
- Young M.A.
- Dreezy
- 070 Shake
- Saweetie
- DreamDoll
As hip hop continues to dominate youth culture and the music industry, female rappers will remain integral to its evolution. While battles over who‘s the "Queen of Rap" will rage on, one thing is certain – women‘s voices will be heard.
In Conclusion: Female Rappers Are Hip Hop Heroes
From pioneers like Sha Rock in the 1970s Bronx to future queens we have yet to meet, female rappers have made an undeniable impact on music. They‘ve brought fresh styles, voices, flows, lyrics, and attitudes to hip hop that enrich the culture. Records sales show they can move just as many units as men and make hits that dominate radio. Awards like Grammys in major rap categories further cement female rappers‘ rightful place in the pantheon.
Rap remains a challenging genre for women due to misogyny and stereotypes. But female rappers have proven they have the skills on the mic, the educated perspectives in their rhymes, and the star power to overcome all obstacles. They inspire millions of girls around the world to have the confidence to find their own voice. The courage of women rappers starting in the earliest days of hip hop paved the way for all future female MCs. Their legacy continues to empower women in hip hop today.