The Top 15 Female Rappers Of All Time

Hip-hop has long been an opinion dividing genre of music, having first become mainstream in the late 1970s and early 80s.

Hip hop music was not officially recorded for play on radio or television until 1979, while the 1980s saw the rise of NWA, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and others.

It took women a few more years to receive universal recognition, with MC Lyte the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.

Here are 15 female rappers to have prospered since that trailblazing LP.
 

15. Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes

Despite enjoying a successful solo career and three number one hits as a member of TLC, Lopes’ personal life was marred by her rocky relationship with American football player Andre Rison, and in 1994 she was arrested for burning down his home.

Lopes died in a car accident on April 25, 2002, in Honduras at the peak of her powers.

14. Yo-Yo

Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whitaker) is among the most sophisticated and unpredictable female rappers of all-time.

Despite refraining from an overtly feminist tack, she dealt with issues of sexual restraint and self-worth in young women.
 

13. Rapsody

With her polished and distinct style, Rapsody’s wordplay and flow are virtually unparalleled in both delivery and execution.

The 38-year-old North Carolina resident remains one of the most dynamic forces on the contemporary hip-hop landscape.

12. The Lady of Rage

Made a dozen appearances on soundtracks as well as albums from her Death Row Records cohorts from 1988 onwards.

The Lady of Rage released her debut solo album in 1997; the explosive Necessary Roughness was worth the wait.
 

11. Foxy Brown

Diminutive Brooklyn-based MC, model and actress whose brash style helped mould a generation of sexually-activated female rappers.

First hit the scene in 1989, aged just 15.
 

10. Salt-N-Pepa

All-female rap crew from Queens whose assertive rhymes, topped with a dollop of feminism, earned them worldwide success.

The group, consisting of Cheryl James, Sandra Denton and Deidra Roper, was formed in 1985, peaking a year later with the release of seminal album Push It.

9. Bahamadia

Philadelphia rapper whose unique monotone delivery and crafty rhymes wooed critics in the 1990s.

Bahamadia rose to prominence on the hip-hop scene as the female protégée of Gang Starr’s Guru, and lent her smooth-flowing lyrics to a variety of projects during the latter part of the decade.
 

8. Eve

Former member of the Ruff Ryders crew, her photogenic looks and impudent rhymes, Eve was number 48 on VH1’s “50 Greatest Women of the Video Era” list.

One of a slew of female rappers to seamlessly transition into acting.

7. Da Brat

Chicago-based spitfire who burst onto the mid-’90s hip-hop scene with her bold, defiant delivery. 

Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female solo rap act to go platinum.

6. Missy Elliott

Individualistic female MC who altered the hip-hop landscape with her eclectic, innovative, sexually charged rhymes, buoyed by Timbaland beats.

One of the most well known rappers ever, between her music, animal rights activism and reality TV appearances, Missy's music has aged like fine wine.
 

5. Lil’ Kim

The fiercest, most provocative and most infamous female rapper of the late-1990s.

Kim lost steam as her career entered the 21st Century, but her legacy remains pivotal in the evolution of female hip-hop.

4. Nicki Minaj

First stepping into the spotlight as an affiliate of Lil Wayne, the quirky, cool Minaj went from mix-tape queen to bona fide superstar with a string of successful releases.

Regular surgeries have rendered her barely physically identifiable when placed alongside the Minaj of the late 2000s, but her popularity has soared to an all-time high.

3. Queen Latifah

One of the first politically conscious female rappers, selling nearly two million records worldwide as she feuded with Foxy Brown.

She later became better known for a successful acting career and talk show.
 

2. MC Lyte

Trailblazer who came to the fore in the late 1980s, becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988’s critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.

MC Lyte has long been considered one of hip-hop’s pioneering feminists.

1. Lauryn Hill

Singer, actress, songwriter, rapper and producer best known for being a member of the Fugees and for her brilliant solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Performed at a string of UK music festivals in 2019, including Glastonbury and Boomtown, while a Fugees 25th anniversary tour has been rescheduled for later this year.