My Hip Hop Queens

”This is a man’s world, thank you very much - Ice Cube

But it wouldn’t be a damn thing without a woman’s touch” - Yo-Yo.

These quotes are a battle of dialogue between rappers Ice Cube and Yo-Yo on his song titled “It’s a Man’s World” from his debut solo album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted. The song itself is a debate about where women stand in the male dominated world of Hip Hop. Women play just as prominent a role in Hip Hop as men and for this Women’s History Month I wanted to write an article paying homage to all of my female heroes of Hip Hop who inspire me as a writer and lyricist.

Queen Latifah

Born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18th, 1970 in Newark, New Jersey, Queen Latifah made her first big splash in Hip Hop with her debut album All Hail The Queen in 1989.

Her song “Ladies First” off the album featuring fellow Hip Hop queen, Monie Love would become one of the top signature songs of her career. The song and the album as a whole promoted women empowerment, especially that of Black Women.

Latifah wanted to make a statement that women deserve respect for their importance over the world just as much as men. Latifah brought an Afro-centric spirit of self love to the Hip Hop’s dinner table and it was accompanied by her heavy flow and hard hitting lyricism that rivaled her male counterparts. Queen Latifah first had a big impact on me when my big sister first played me her songs “Just Another Day” and “U.N.I.T.Y” off her 1993 album “Black Reign”.

I also loved her feature on Troop/Levert’s “For The Love Of Money/Living For The City” from the New Jack City movie soundtrack. This song was one of the earliest songs I ever understood the message of due to its commentary about the crack epidemic during the 80’s and the 90’s. Even when she branched out and became a mega star on TV and film she never forgot her Hip Hop roots and for all of this she is one of my favorite female rappers and one of the greatest Hip Hop queens of all time.

MC Lyte

Born Lana Michele Moorer on October 11th, 1970, MC Lyte made history for becoming the first female Hip Hop artist to release a solo album with 1988’s Lyte As A Rock.

Having been rapping since the age of just 16 years old, MC Lyte would become a female pioneer who's first solo album was hailed as one of the most important albums in Hip Hop's history as it was the first solo album from a female rapper. Lyte was known for scaring her male counterparts with her lyricism which would earn her the title as one of the greatest emcees ever. Lyte would become one of Hip Hop's earliest voices of the Crack Epidemic in the late 80's with her song "I Cram To Understand U (Sam)" which was one of Hip Hop's first songs ever written about the Crack Epidemic.

Lyte would also go on to be one of Hip Hop's most conscious voices when she joined the Stop The Violence movement in 1989 along side fellow Hip Hop pioneers Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, and Heavy D. I always loved MC Lyte because of how multi-faceted she was. I loved how she was an incredible lyricist who embodied the competitive sport side of Hip Hop, but at the same time she could craft good love and dance songs like "Poor Georgie", "I Want Your Hands On Me (remix)", and "Cold Rock A Party". MC Lyte without a doubt paved the way for women in Hip Hop, but she also paved the way for young men like myself. For these ways she paved she is not only a pioneer, but one of my heroes of Hip Hop culture.

Missy Elliot

Born Melissa Annette Elliot on July 1, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Missy Elliot first made it big in the 90's with her childhood best friend, legendary super producer Timbaland. She made a big name for herself rapping, singing, writing and producing for other aspiring artist and herself. Missy would eventually become part of the Hip Hop and R&B collective known as the Superfriends, which consisted of Timbaland, Magoo, Missy Elliot, Ginuwine and Aaliyah.

They were all known for the mega hits they made together. It should be noted that Missy is the highest selling female rapper of all time and the only female rapper with a historical six platinum albums.

Personally I always referred to Missy as one of the "Michael Jackson's" of Hip Hop. I say this because her music videos always had an over the top and animated style that she showcased for songs like "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”, "Get Ur Freak On", and "Work It". She was always an amazing singer as well. I loved how Missy was her own rapper and chorus vocalist for many of her biggest records. Missy has always been a jack of many trades and for her many party and dance anthems that were a big part of the soundtrack to my life growing up, Missy is not only one of the greatest women of Hip Hop but one of my heroes of Hip Hop culture as well.

Eve

Born Eve Jeffers on November 10th, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eve grew to prominence in the late 90’s when she joined the male dominated Ruff Ryders record label alongside headlining acts like DMX and The Lox. Eve’s first album Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryder’s First Lady was a hit and Eve would even become known by the moniker “The Pitbull In A Skirt” due to her aggressive street personality that rivaled her male counterparts on the Dog-logo based Ruff Ryders label.

On her second album Scorpion, Eve released the Dr. Dre produced “Blow Ya Mind” featuring Gwen Stefani of No Doubt which would be massively successful and make her into a bonafide pop crossover star.

From here Eve would make a successful transition to acting starring in her own hit TV series titled Eve and being one of the main stars of the Ice Cube Produced Barbershop film series. Eve will always be one of my favorite queens of Hip Hop for her ability to keep her hardcore Hip Hop edge while at the same time, being able to make quality crossover music which broke down walls and stereotypes of women in Hip Hop. The male dominated legacy of Ruff Ryders would not be what it is without Eve, the Ruff Ryders First Lady.

Lil Kim

Born Kimberly Denise Jones on July 11, 1974 in Brooklyn New York. Lil Kim first rose to stardom as a protege of The Notorious B.I.G. as the First Lady of his Bad Boy collective group known as Junior Mafia. In 1996 she would go on to release her first solo album Hard Core to platinum success. After the death of her close friend and mentor, The Notorious B.I.G. she would continue to grow to be one of Hip Hop’s most prominent female figures with her follow up albums The Notorious K.I.M. and La Bella Mafia. These album all played perhaps the biggest role in paving the way for all the future female rappers like Trina and Nicki Minaj who embodied the sexy diva persona leading up to the current generation.

The factors that made Kim shine so bright was her raunchy sex appeal and diva personality, all the while maintaining her street edge with adept lyricism. Lil Kim became one of both mines and my older sister’s favorite rappers due to her being my mother’s favorite female rapper. It was always funny to me how much my mother was comfortable playing Kim’s raunchy and edgy music in front of us little kids without a hint of guilt.

Rah Digga

Born Rashia Tashan Fisher on December 18th, 1974 in Newark, New Jersey, Rah Digga’s Hip Hop journey began in the early to mid 90s when she was a member of the male dominated group known as The Outsidas, a group which would also become a starting point for future Hip Hop legend, Eminem. By the late 90s Digga ended up being signed to Busta Rhymes’ Flip Mode Squad record label where she released her solo debut album Dirty Harriet in the year 2000.

What I always loved about Rah Digga was that she was like a spiritual reincarnation of female rappers like MC Lyte and fellow New Jersey superstar, Queen Latifah. Digga was just straight Hip Hop style personality and the traditional embodiment of what it meant to be a dope lyrical Emcee. Digga even made a notable transition to film when she co-starred in the horror cult classic remake of 13 Ghosts alongside Emmy Award winner Tony Shaloub. She even contributed a song to the soundtrack of the movie titled “Mirror Mirror” which is one of my favorite songs from her as well as one of my favorite soundtrack songs ever.

There are so many other queens of Hip Hip that are unforgettable. Trailblazers and game changers from so many different backgrounds. Hip Hop may still be dominated as a man’s world, but it would not be as great as it is without the touch of women who are just as responsible for keeping it alive and well to this day.

~~This article is dedicated to all my favorite females of Hip Hop: Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy Elliot, Eve, Lil Kim, Rah Digga and every other queen of Hip Hop who makes the culture great.