The contributions of women in hip-hop have been extraordinary—they have broken gender and race barriers, shed light on some of our most poignant yet underrepresented people through visionary storytelling and have continued to force music and culture to evolve and transform.
Trying to find space in a true boys’ club and integral to a group in which they are still undervalued and marginalized, these ten women have forged the path for women emcees like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj. They have created some of the most truthful pieces of art about their lives, their loves and their struggles, forcing the world to recognize them as multifaceted creatives.
Their stories haven’t always been pretty, but they’ve never been here for that anyway.