Top 10 Best Female Rappers of All Time

You've probably heard their names dropped in cyphers and seen their faces on magazine covers: fierce, talented women who've transformed the world of hip-hop. But who are the best female rappers of all time?

From the pioneers who broke barriers in the '80s and '90s to the modern stars who dominate the charts today, female MCs have continuously pushed boundaries, shattered stereotypes, and proven their lyrical prowess.

This list isn't just about who can spit the fastest rhymes or who has the most platinum records. It's about celebrating the women who have made a lasting impact on the genre, whose voices have echoed through generations and inspired countless others to pick up a mic.

The Top Ten

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj, is a Trinidadian-American rapper known for her versatility and animated flow. She has been influential in the music industry since her breakthrough with the album "Pink Friday" in 2010.

Best flow, rhymes that make you think, extremely versatile with her music, and she knows how to get people's attention. All the endorsements, gigs, and movies she's been in are examples of what a good businesswoman she is. She's number one for a reason. What makes people the best is how they appeal to the public, and Nicki is killing it with her appeal. That's why she is the most successful female in the game. The quality of her songs is based on public opinion, and according to that, she is destroying everyone else. This is reflected in her net worth. Nicki Minaj is number one. Anyone else who disagrees can look at the numbers because numbers don't lie.
Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott, born Melissa Arnette Elliott, is an American rapper, singer, and record producer known for her innovative music videos and influential contributions to hip-hop. She has won numerous awards, including Grammys, for her groundbreaking work in the music industry.

All people have their own stories, but going through a rough life, including the way she was raised and also some issues with medical problems, she is a warrior and a rapper. And who can resist "Work It," "Get Your Freak On," and "Pass That Dutch"? Also, her beginning hit, "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"?
I mean, I really do love the other female rappers on this list, but when I look on my player, Missy Elliott is the female rapper from whom I have the most songs.

Firstly, every one of her songs is original and different, yet always great. Secondly, she has never had any beef with anyone. Thirdly, she is one of the most influential women in the world.
Finally, I can't see why you all would disrespect Lil' Kim like that. Even Diddy said she will always be the queen - one of the greats. Her legacy is huge, and no one can argue with facts like that. End of story. Kim and Missy will be queens for life.
Lil Kim

Lil' Kim, born Kimberly Denise Jones, is an American rapper and songwriter who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. She is known for her provocative lyrics and bold fashion sense, contributing significantly to the rise of female rappers in hip-hop.

There's no question here as to who's the best. Sure, Kim might not have been the first, but that doesn't take away from the fact that she completely changed the game of hip-hop. Kim made both genders equal with her lyrics. She never tried to cover or censor her music. She never needed some fake persona. Everything she's done has been real and legitimate.
While her net worth isn't the highest and she hasn't been in the top ten on the billboards for a while, that will never change the fact that she made a breakthrough in hip-hop history. As a fan of many other women in the genre, there's no doubt that Kim definitely made one of the, if not the, largest impacts of all time in rap music. That's why she will forever be the number one female MC.
Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill is a highly acclaimed American rapper, singer, and songwriter, best known for her work with the Fugees and her solo album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She has received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, for her impactful music and socially conscious lyrics.

How is Nicki Minaj above Lauryn Hill? Lauryn created one of the best albums of all time with "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She's won so many Grammys and had so many big hits as a solo artist and with the Fugees.
What is Nicki Minaj famous for? Making provocative album covers, producing lackluster, meaningless music, and using artificial enhancements? Choosing a talentless artist over a hardworking, legitimate musician is one of the worst decisions I can think of.

In terms of being the best "rapper," not entertainer, artist, etc., Lauryn Hill is hands down the best. Her lyrical complexity, wordplay, and rhyme scheme are on a completely different level than other women mentioned. Additionally, as showcased well on "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," she tackled topics completely unique to the female perspective, rather than recycling topics that male rappers have already exhausted.
I have never seen Nicki Minaj or Cardi B come close to the level of illustration that Lauryn could display. Lauryn could tackle difficult topics with effortless and complex flow.
Sure, Nicki and Cardi are great entertainers. Their Billboard numbers prove it. But in terms of being the best RAPPER, it's Lauryn Hill. It has always been Lauryn.
Eve

Eve, born Eve Jihan Jeffers Cooper, is an American rapper and actress known for her hits like "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" and "Gangsta Lovin'." She has also achieved success in television and film, showcasing her versatility beyond music.

Eve is the realest! She should be number 1! Her songs aren't just catchy and booty-shakers - they're inspirational too. Love Is Blind, Life Is Hard, Make It Out This Town, Never Gone … A talented, inspirational, and truly humble artist!

Mixing her hotness and gangster lifestyle, I'm sure she deserves to be one among the rappers in this world. I can't compare her to Miss Elliot, so I thought she got lucky to be the 5th.

Eve makes Nicki Minaj look like crap. She is way, way better than Nicki Minaj. I mean, Nicki Minaj started out good, but she kind of sold out now.
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was an American rapper and member of the iconic girl group TLC, known for her distinctive rapping style and unique persona. Her contributions to hits like "Waterfalls" and "No Scrubs" helped propel TLC to worldwide fame.

Left Eye is the truest rapper out here. She is way better than Minaj. Even though Nicki's stuff is dope, Lisa always represented those girls who didn't always want to reveal their bodies and wanted to be independent. Nicki's raps don't address the big issues today.
Lisa's legacy still lives on through T-Boz and Chilli. That is why Left Eye deserves the top spot.

Left Eye is the best female rapper on this list. The way she raps is unique and amazing. She was always real, rapping about real issues, unlike Nicki Minaj. She was the female version of Tupac, and both of them were real. Left Eye is the queen of rap, even if she isn't alive.
Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, is a pioneering figure in hip-hop and an accomplished actress and singer. She is one of the first female rappers to achieve mainstream success and has won numerous awards, including a Grammy and an Emmy.

The Queen could run circles around Nicki and all these other wannabe 'rappers' from these days. Her songs were meaningful and empowering, without any of the "I'm a b****!" mentality that is so common among today's female MCs. All hail the Queen!

Listen to U.N.I.T.Y, Just Another Day, and Nature of a Sista, then tell me who is better than Queen Latifah? Her delivery, flow, and lyricism are top-notch. She is one of the best rappers, period, and she did it without being fake, resorting to explicit content, or rapping about nonsense.
Also, her beats are awesome. The only rapper on the list who is as good as her skill-wise is Nicki Minaj.
Kolera

Kolera is a Turkish rapper known for her socially conscious lyrics and significant presence in the Turkish hip-hop scene. She addresses various social and political issues through her music, gaining a dedicated fan base.

Kolera is the best female rapper. Her lyrics and the beat of her songs are the best.

Turkey's number one female rapper.

Kolera is the best female rapper. We love her very, very much. Her smile, her looks, and her speech come from her heart. Whenever she is upset, we are upset. If we smile, she must smile. Kolera! It's so good that I have you. You are my love, you are my life, you are my sister and my family with Sago. You are wonderful with everything. If you win and are happy, I will be so happy. Fighting!
Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, is an Australian rapper who gained fame with hits like "Fancy" and "Black Widow." She is known for her distinctive Southern rap style and has been a prominent figure in mainstream hip-hop since the early 2010s.

Iggy should be number one or at least number two, but behind Nicki Minaj. All of these other rappers - you never hear of them? By the way, sorry if they do still produce music. I am really big into music, and I have never heard of these other people. I am on Team Iggy Azalea. Why is the internet being so mean to this girl? Seriously?

I think she is great! She is very talented and has awesome songs like Walk the Line, 100, Trouble, Work, Bounce, Fancy, and Black Widow (my favorite), just to name a few. She has a great flow and voice. She also was in a great song, Problem, where she sounded fantastic with Ariana Grande. Why is she behind Nicki Minaj? Nicki shouldn't even be on this list.
Foxy Brown

Foxy Brown, born Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand, is an American rapper known for her husky voice and provocative lyrics. She gained fame in the late 1990s with albums like "Ill Na Na" and her work with the rap supergroup The Firm.

Foxy is so underrated. For her to be so far down on this list is a shame. Lyrically, she has flow and can ride the beat incredibly well. True, she used sex appeal on her video and album covers to help sales, but what's the difference between any male rapper using females in the same perspective to do the same thing back then? Her style was fresh and real.

Foxy always kept it real, and that's what I admired about her. She always kept business separate from her personal life and never let her rivalries slow her down. People may have their favorite album by her, but whatever she does will always be my favorite.

The Newcomers

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Ice Spice

Isis Naija Gaston (born January 1, 2000), known professionally as Ice Spice, is an American rapper. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, she began her musical career in 2020 while attending college, after meeting record producer RiotUSA.... read more

Ice Spice is amazing. Enough said.
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Jennie Kim (Blackpink)

Jennie is the best female rapper that ever existed.

The Contenders

Trina

Trina, born Katrina Laverne Taylor, is an American rapper known for her confident and explicit lyrics. She gained prominence with her debut album "Da Baddest Bitch" and has maintained a strong presence in Southern hip-hop.

Consistency pays off. Trina's last two albums debuted at number one and number two, respectively, on the Billboard Rap charts. The last one was released solely independently, debuting at number one on the Billboard Independent chart.
Before Nicki, there was Trina. In 2008, she was the only female rapper to have a major release. She's severely underrated because of her high sex appeal and raunchy lyrics, which birthed her career. It's sad she's been overlooked because of that.
As a rapper, her presence, voice, and delivery are ten times better than when we first heard her. She may not be the best lyricist, she doesn't claim to be, but she works hard. She is the Queen of the South when it comes to rap, and no one will be taking that spot from her for a while.
She's still the Baddest Btch. Anyone else who claims that title needs to find another moniker. Trina is official and a legend. Period.
MC Lyte

MC Lyte, born Lana Michelle Moorer, is an American rapper who became one of the first female rappers to release a full album. She is known for her sharp lyrical skills and has been a trailblazer for women in hip-hop.

MC Lyte at 10? Nicki Minaj at 2? Are you kidding me? MC Lyte is the best female rapper ever, followed by Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah. Only those three deserve the title "Queen of Rap."
Nicki Minaj started her career in 2004, and I've never even heard of Kolera. Lyte raps about real issues, unlike most of today's mainstream "rappers." "Lyte as a Rock" was a classic. REAL Hip-Hop. Music that has meaning.

Nicki Minaj? Seriously, how could you possibly place anyone other than MC Lyte or Lauryn Hill on top of the list? People need to start listening to real rap, not commercial fluff.
M.I.A.

M.I.A., born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, is a British rapper, singer, and activist known for her eclectic music style and politically charged lyrics. She gained international fame with hits like "Paper Planes" and has been influential in the global music scene.

I'm not saying M.I.A. is the best female rapper of all time, but I can say she's the best female rapper of this generation. Why? Because she doesn't rap about being fancy, having a big behind, or having a lot of money. She also isn't constantly rapping about love.
M.I.A. raps about real issues. She addresses identity politics, poverty, revolution, gender, and sexual stereotypes, as well as war. She raps about real problems. She's a true artist and doesn't need either a cute face or a big behind to express what she wants to say.
Additionally, she's a philanthropist and an activist. You don't see that kind of person every day.
Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks is an American rapper and singer known for her distinctive style and provocative public persona. She gained recognition with her debut single "212" and has been a notable figure in the alternative hip-hop scene.

Azealia Banks is literally one of the most creative artists in the music industry. Her flows are sick, her voice is beautiful, and the beats are incredible! What really sets her apart is her amazing ear for great beats. I hope she has a very long career. Go Yung Rapunxel!

She's definitely the one to watch. Her songs keep improving, and it's very noticeable. She is rising and I hope she gets to the top, because she has that potential and she could rock it.

She's just great. I would love to see her rise to the top. In my opinion, she can easily beat any of the other female rappers out there.
Remy Ma

Remy Ma, born Reminisce Mackie, is an American rapper known for her powerful voice and impactful lyrics. She gained prominence with her work as part of Terror Squad and her solo hits like "Conceited" and "All the Way Up."

I am an educator and listen to rap music specifically to relate to my students. I can connect to Remy Ma because her flow is effortless and her intelligence is evident in the way she connects her ideas. Her bars are very different in every song, and she seems to be able to captivate listeners with her ability to make you think, reflect, and relate.
Even without a beat, you can still listen to Remy Ma. She is my all-time favorite.

Remy Ma is a true connoisseur of rap because her flow and delivery are tight, just like how rap should be - not like some candy-floss hit makers around nowadays. Give her a few more years, and she could be on the list of one of the best-ever female rappers, like Lil Kim and Missy.
Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, is an American rapper known for her confident lyrics and dynamic performances. She gained widespread fame with hits like "Hot Girl Summer" and "Savage," becoming a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop.

I think that Megan Thee Stallion is the best rapper of all time, of course, after the queen Nicki Minaj. I wish they were still friends because I absolutely loved them together. Anyway, Megan has so many good features, from her body to her looks to her music. She has it all! Her signature "Ahh" has me running around saying "Ahh" all the time. Love Megan and Nicki!

I liked her at first, but I have some doubts. She's still decent, but not god-tier for sure. Good flow, though.
Cardi B

Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, is an American rapper and media personality who gained fame with her breakout single "Bodak Yellow." She is known for her candid personality and has received numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Rap Album.

What? She is absolutely excellent. She shouldn't even need a list. She should be the highest! She is a great rapper.

Best female rapper of all time. You're the best, baby. Keep it up. You're better than Nicki any day, shorty. And you have a nice figure.

Some on this list are not necessarily rappers, but I voted accordingly as best I could.
Da Brat

Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris, is an American rapper who became the first female solo rap artist to receive a platinum certification for her album. She is known for her distinctive style and has been influential in the hip-hop community since the 1990s.

Wow, Da Brat might be the best one on the list. She should definitely be in the top 10.

I'm riding with you until the wheels fall off.
Snow Tha Product

Snow Tha Product, born Claudia Alexandra Feliciano, is an American rapper known for her rapid-fire delivery and bilingual lyrics. She has built a dedicated fan base with her independent releases and socially conscious messages.

Snow Tha Product should be number one. No one knows real rap until they hear her. Nicki Minaj does not deserve first place because she raps about nonsense. Everyone thinks good rap is about making metaphors. No, that's where people go wrong. The definition of real rap is Tech N9ne, Biggie, and of course, Snow Tha Product.

Nicki Minaj doesn't deserve to be in the top fifty. Snow Tha Product is the best in the game. She's even better than the guys who are mainstream and better than half the underground rappers. Everybody needs to open their eyes and see that she's the best female artist that has ever been in the game. #WakeYourGameUp
Fergie

Fergie, born Stacy Ann Ferguson, is an American singer and rapper who gained fame as part of the Black Eyed Peas. She also achieved solo success with her debut album "The Dutchess," which featured hits like "Fergalicious" and "Big Girls Don't Cry."

Fergie is most likely my favorite. She is a great, sensational singer with strong range, although she sometimes has pitch issues. She's been a member of the amazing Black Eyed Peas, for goodness' sake.
She throws out many cool rhymes and has a quick, nice flow. She can hold a note for quite a while, even without a high octave, like in Big Girls Don't Cry. She is decent at explaining what she needs to do, but her fierce, empowering attitude lets her continue on, whether it's rap, pop, hip-hop, R&B, or soul.
In her band and as well as in her solo singles, she has had very diverse albums and has put extreme energy into most of her songs. She's in the top ten on my list, so in the top 25 overall. I don't expect her to lose her place.
We have more years of Fergalicious Fergie ahead, even if she's more occupied now than before. I think she could do more soul and rap, though. She has the ability. I don't think we will ever forget The Dutchess and the female singer of the Black Eyed Peas. I'm sure many people would agree with me.
Lil Mama

Lil Mama, born Niatia Jessica Kirkland, is an American rapper and actress who gained fame with her debut single "Lip Gloss." She is also known for her role as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the VH1 biopic about the group TLC.

She's so underrated it's not even funny. This woman has bars for days! She could leave a homeless man full. She's dope. Don't sleep on this one.
Jean Grae

Jean Grae, born Tsidi Ibrahim, is an American rapper known for her complex lyrics and storytelling abilities. She has been a respected figure in the underground hip-hop scene, often praised for her intellectual and introspective music.

More technical than most male rappers today! It's actually a little scary how lyrical she is, and I genuinely think that Jean's a more technical rapper than Eminem. Bold statement, but true, and it's actually offensive how Jean's 20th and Nicki's first.

Jean is barely top 50? People post about music and probably don't even know who she is, but she is, without a doubt, top ten on this list.

Jean is the truth. NOT one of the best female MCs. One of the best MCs. Period. Full stop.
Becky G

Becky G, born Rebbeca Marie Gomez, is an American singer and rapper who began her career with covers on YouTube before achieving mainstream success. She is known for her versatility, performing in both English and Spanish across various music genres.

Oh my God! I'm so surprised Becky doesn't have more votes! She is my ultimate role model. I personally think the whole "Jenny from the Block and Becky from the Block" thing is cool, but Becky's is so much better. Becky was the one who inspired me to want to rap. So vote for Becky G. She is the best of the best!

Amen, my fellow Beasters. I am so proud of her. I understand that she is not super famous, but she is still kind of new to the industry. Listen to her song Dodger Blue, and it will show you why she deserves to be in at least the top 20.
Rah Digga

Rah Digga, born Rashia Tashan Fisher, is an American rapper known for her work with the Flipmode Squad and her solo debut "Dirty Harriet." She is respected for her powerful voice and lyrical prowess in the hip-hop community.

How can you not love Rah Digga? First Lady of the Flipmode Squad, successful in her own right? She's got skills that rival Missy Elliott and MC Lyte, if you ask me.
But then you've got kids nowadays listening to the trash of Trina, Fergie, and Nicki Minaj. All that party rap has its own place, but Rah, Missy, Lauryn Hill - all the female rappers of yesteryear will remain the best. Always, always the best.

Why is she here? She should be up there with Kim and Missy. I didn't even know Nicki's music was even called rap.
Rapsody

Rapsody, born Marlanna Evans, is an American rapper acclaimed for her insightful lyrics and storytelling. She has received widespread praise for her albums "Laila's Wisdom" and "Eve," which explore themes of African American identity and womanhood.

I checked out a couple of songs, and wow, her wordplay is amazing. If you're into poetic rap styles, then she's definitely the best pick.

I admit, I only know her guest verse on Kendrick Lamar's Complexion (A Zulu Love), but it's good.

She might have had the best album of 2019, and she's not even in the top 20?