Hip hop culture has a rich history, from the 1970s down to today we can see how rap music has transitioned into many different styles with each artist that steps into the scene bringing their own authenticity. But one major transformation that has taken place is how there are more women in hip hop today.

The early 2000s were a defining period for rap music.This era was a defining one as it pushed the genre into mainstream and paved a way for new sounds like crunk and trap music.

Rap broke into mainstream dominance with mainstream artists like Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay z Nelly and so many other game changers topping billboard charts.

Hip hop is not just music it's a culture, the evidence of this statement is in how much influence on culture and lifestyle it has, from outfits such as Air Force 1s, throwback jerseys, baggy jeans, snap backs to forming a whole new language with terms like ‘crank’ ‘bling’ ‘jiggy’ and so many other slang words that are enough to form a dictionary. The rap genre has also become a voice for marginalized communities and the youth.

The early 2000s were also a time of regional renaissance, hip hop was no longer an American thing, it was a global revolution. Through the power of music videos, broadcast TV, radio and the internet, rap music and culture spread to Japan, Brazil,Sweden and many other countries including Zambia which participated in the 50 years of hip hop celebration in 2023.

Some individuals feel that rap music today is not nearly as good as it was in the golden era.‘The golden era’ of rap refers to a period between the 1980s to the 1990s, it was a time of lyrical innovation,artistry and a blending of musical styles. This ear solidified rap as a voice for marginalised groups and a driving force in pop culture.

But another fraction of the global population - including Gen-Z swear that this shift in the hip hop space has in fact been for the better, Rap has never been as we see it today.

Today's rap industry is run by women! Female rappers have been around for a while, a great example of a female rapper who stood out in a predominantly male genre is Missy Elliot. During her prime as a rapper, one question was on most people’s lips, ‘ How can a woman be a rapper’ . It was something uncommon for a woman to be in that space as most women who were successful in the industry were singers. What was incredible and made Missy Elliot standout was the fact that she was actually good and was breaking records. Her impact paved the way for so many female rappers, Missy Elliot walked so today’s women rappers can run.

Female rappers are leading a transformative era in the music industry, driving cultural shifts and achieving record-breaking success. In 2023, artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Nicki Minaj dominated global charts, with female rappers accounting for 40% of the top 10 Billboard Hot 100 rap songs—a stark increase from previous decades. Doja Cat's genre-bending album Planet Her amassed over 7 billion Spotify streams, highlighting their ability to bridge rap with pop and R&B. TikTok has also played a pivotal role, with viral tracks like Ice Spice's “Munch (Feelin’ U)” amassing millions of plays and reshaping music promotion. Beyond music, rappers like Megan Thee Stallion, with her $13 million brand endorsements, are expanding their influence into fashion and beauty. As they break barriers in a historically male-dominated industry, female rappers are not just participating—they are redefining the hip-hop landscape, proving their cultural and commercial staying power.

From rappers like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan thee Stallion, Latto, Saweeti, Glorilla all the way to Doechi and many others we can tell that women are in their boss era when it comes to hip hop music. Through their music and dominance these incredible women have uplifted and empowered so many to be bold and shown them that they can thrive in male dominated fields too.

---