Hip-hop at 50: Women in rap
by Chaz Kangas
August 11, 2023
This week marks 50 years of hip-hop. What started as a party-centric neighborhood phenomenon half a century ago became a global juggernaut of culture, commerce, and celebration. It would be impossible to name every important name and movement keeping the rap world’s turntables spinning. Instead, we’re highlighting unique and vital artists, songs, scenes, and styles that have left an impact across generations but remain overlooked by some.
Today we stop, look, and listen to women in hip-hop. We're bringing you the stories of women in rap who deserve the spotlight for their contributions to the culture with fly, fresh, wild, and bold tracks that have become classics in all corners of the hip-hop map. Tonight is Ladies' Night. Oh, what a night!
Funky 4 + 1 - "That's the Joint" on Saturday Night Live (Feb. 14, 1981)
A few months before MTV launched and featured her own rap-led Blondie track "Rapture" on the first day, SNL host Debbie Harry introduced Sugar Hill Records' the Funky 4 + 1 as "among the best street rappers in the country." They became the first rappers to perform on national television, and it's so fun and surreal to watch this historic moment today. You can feel the New York movement exuberantly and confidently crashing into living rooms nationwide. MC Sha-Rock, with her unique charisma, is the fantastic centerpiece in this landmark moment. The group later appeared in the classic early-’80s hip-hop film Wild Style and Sha-Rock has continued to be active hip-hop historian to this day.
Roxanne Shanté - "Roxanne's Revenge" (1984)
Hip-hop beef is legendary and central to the genre. The first feud that was nothing short of an industry-wide phenomenon was what's known as 1984's "Roxanne Wars." It all started with rap group UTFO's "Roxanne, Roxanne" a song featuring the members lamenting their failings to woo a romantic interest named Roxanne. As the legend goes, when UTFO no-showed an appearance for local beloved New York hip-hop radio personality Mr. Magic, a then 14-year-old Lolita Gooden offered to make a response record dissing the group. Rechristening herself Roxanne Shanté (her middle name) she responded with a spirited takedown of all the group's members. The video premiered on Ralph McDaniels' Video Music Box, the first hip-hop video show and rap's then epicenter, leading to a tidal wave of response records. UTFO recruited another woman who rapped, rechristened her the Real Roxanne and she dropped a response record. Shanté then responded back with "Bite This" and the wonderfully titled "Queen of Rox." Soon other rappers released singles under the guise of Roxanne's parents, Roxanne's brothers, Roxanne's doctor, a time-traveling younger Roxanne, until the number of "Roxanne" songs was well into the dozens. While the fad eventually did die, Roxanne Shanté continued to have noteworthy career eventually linking up with classic rap label Cold Chillin' and, in 2017, being the subject of the Sundance hit biopic Roxanne Roxanne.
Salt-N-Pepa - "Let's Talk About AIDS" (1992)
It's impossible to say enough great things about Salt-N-Pepa. "Push It," "Shoop," and "Whatta Man," are all hip-hop classics, and the group’s talent transcended eras in hip-hop at a time when trends were at their most fickle. The sounds were catchy, the themes were empowering, and their rapping was always state-of-the-art. But one song that's nowhere near as heralded as it should be is their 1992 remix of "Let's Talk About Sex." Pepa has credited the idea of the "Let's Talk About AIDS" remix to news anchor Peter Jennings (!) who applauded their destigmatizing "Let's Talk About Sex." He suggested they use their reach and writing ability to confront the AIDS epidemic, something largely taboo in hip-hop, and entertainment as a whole. The resulting song is a powerful dispelling of myths and direct addressing of all that AIDS is, featuring cameos from hip-hop artists across the map for a statement that was as bold as any record made in that era.
Gangsta Boo feat. Bun B, Playa Fly, and P.B. Memphi$ - "Sippin & Spinnin (Doc Jam Remix)" (2005)
The ’90s and 2000s saw a number of women who became standout members of their crews. Ruff Ryders had Eve, Slip-N-Slide had Trina, No Limit had Mia X, and Hypnotize Minds had Gangsta Boo. Active for three decades, it's amazing how many absolute hip-hop legends she outshined even on their own tracks. E-40, Three 6 Mafia, Gucci Mane, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Project Pat, Bun B, and Run the Jewels have all gotten “Boo'd” on songs. More than just a featured talent, she has one of the most consistent discographies in Memphis hip-hop. Gangsta Boo, real name Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, died on New Years Day this year at the age of 43.
Lil Kim, Da Brat, Left Eye, Angie Martinez, and Missy Elliott - "Not Tonight" (1997)
Ending on a positive note is a breathtaking performance from the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. This rare moment of unity during a year of conflict featured five of rap's most memorable women on one stage for an elaborate performance celebrating different femme energies. If you've never seen it, or haven't watched it since its original broadcast, I don't want to spoil the effect of having it blindside you. It's a true, one-of-a-kind collaboration that could have only happened then.
Previously: Hip-hop at 50: Early rap pioneers from '79-'84