The Importance of Female Rappers and MCs

As a woman who just turned 20, female rappers had a major impact throughout my teen years. 

Coming from a high school filled with guys who listen to rap and trap music on a daily basis, they walk around like they own the world. This makes sense considering this is how hip hop is supposed to make you feel. The masculine energy is radiated through every male rapper and trap artist’s lyrics and attitudes.  The rap and hip hop world has always been heavily male dominated. I’m not saying I’m not a fan, I listen to lots of NWA, Eminem, Biggie and many others.  I love how powerful they make me feel. 

Like many women, I’ve spent years dealing with men with inflated egos so large I’m surprised they didn’t take flight.

So here’s the problem: I’m supposed to deal with all these boys riding a power trip and I’m not meant to have one of my own?

Bullshit. 

Women in Hip Hop have always been strong and badass. They have also been under-represented for decades. Amazing artists such as the amazing Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliot, Lil Kim and so many others.  

Rappers such as Megan Thee Stallion, Flo Mili, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Cardi B and others have been unfairly criticized (especially by men) for exhibiting the same behaviour and attitude of their male counterparts.

The hypocrisy makes my skin crawl. 

Men have been writing, rapping and listening to songs about fucking bitches for years, and we can’t rap about fucking guys?

How are young women supposed to submit to these guys without empowering music of our own? 

People argue lots of trap and rap music is substance-less nowadays. I can’t say I disagree. However, I do think in a weird way it’s necessary for my generation of women/gender diverse people to have our own world in Hip Hop. If the guys can do it, why can’t we?

The boldness and sexuality expressed by femmes can be so strong it makes men upset. Let us be the ones asserting our power and putting ourselves in the front. 

I’m supposed to expect to date and have friendships with men who are raised to womanize me and society expects me to bend down in submission? No.

I want my own version of female power letting me know that men are not the most important thing in the world. 

We can be powerful in our sexuality.

There is space for bold women.

Female rappers should be appreciated not criticized from a place of hypocrisy.