Cocoa Gold

I’m sure we’ve all heard the story of Midas. The mythological king with the ability to turn anything he touches into gold. Though Midas may have been a myth, there are living, breathing deities here on Earth with that exact ability—black women.

Black women are notorious for enhancing the vibration of any and everything that they become a part of. Though barriers have always been present, they’ve never been a factor when it comes to us. Sometimes we’re busting down the door ourselves. Other times, we’re setting steps at the walls of our oppression to help increase the chances of the next sister making it over. Regardless of the circumstances we choose, black women find the most creative ways to break through and make their presence pertinent in those spaces.

Perhaps one of the hardest realms for black women to break into is entertainment; more specifically, the music industry. Out of all the genres, I would argue that Hip-Hip has been the most challenging area for black women to be accepted into. Nonetheless, there have been many powerful black women artists that haven't just broken into the Hip-Hop game but have taken it by storm receiving numerous accolades as well as high praises from their male counterparts.

Salt n Pepa

“What a group, what a group, what a group, what a mighty good group.” Clearly when it comes to Salt-n-Pepa, good is an understatement. With their career kicking off in the mid-80s, Salt-n-Pepa changed the game for black women everywhere. For the first time, this all-woman rap group was touching on topics that were previously only addressed by men. Hits like “Push it,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” and “Whattaman” allowed women the opportunity to truly start expressing themselves and take ownership of their sensuality. These hits and many others led them to become the first female rappers to be certified platinum and one of the best-selling rap acts of all time. Give thanks to the queens Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper); the first ladies of Hip Hop.

Queen Latifah

All Hail the Queen! It’s no coincidence that this was the title of this queen’s first studio album released in 1989. Queen Latifah was influential in raising black women’s awareness of their magic through music. Songs like “Ladies First” and “U.N.I.T.Y” (from her sophomore album Black Reign for which she won a Grammy) are prime examples of how Queen Latifah empowered and uplifted her fellow black women. During the late 80s and early 90s, the Queen formed a collective known as Native Tongues alongside other culturally conscious artists like Monie Love, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul. Queen Latifah has been credited with opening the door for later artists like Lauryn Hill. In 2006, after branching out into different areas of creativity and entertainment, Queen Latifah became the first Hip-Hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So all hail the Queen, she reigns supreme always in all ways.

MC Lyte

This queen has no issue letting her Lyte shine, and rightfully so! In 1988, MC Lyte dropped her first album titled Lyte as Rock. Not only was this the first full rap album released by a solo woman artist but it featured many hits that are still well known today; including “I Cram to Understand U (Sam),” one of the first songs made about the crack epidemic. Through hits like “Cha Cha Cha” and “Ruffneck,” Lyte instilled a sense of assertiveness and confidence into black women everywhere. MC Lyte’s strong voice, unique tone, and playful rhetoric allowed her to stand out among her peers. Her distinctiveness would lead to collect many more first throughout her career like becoming the first rap artist to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1990 and the first woman to be inducted into the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors. Nothing but adoration for this lady of Lyte.

Monie Love

Straight from London, England, Monie Love shocked the world with her tone and lyrical ability. Her release of Down to Earth in 1990 highlighted her voice and labeled her as a blazing new talent in Hip-Hop. Tracks from the album like “Monie in the Middle” and “It’s a Shame (My Sister)” showcased her talent and depth. Both hits would earn her 2 Grammy nominations making her the first British woman Hip-Hop artist to hold that title. Monie went to collaborate with other major artists like Whitney Houston on “My Name is Not Susan” and Queen Latifah’s “Ladies First.” Got nothing but love for queen Monie Love.

All of these women played an integral role in Hip-Hop as well as black culture. These queens uplifted black women, united black women, empowered black women, and helped black women reclaim their sexuality. They created a space for black women to truly express themselves and be exactly what they are; magic. I honor and give thanks to these barrier-breaking, industry-shaking, no-shit-taking queens of the Hip-Hop game.