Top 10 Best Female Rappers of All Time
Onika Tanya Maraj, known professionally as Nicki Minaj (born December 8, 1982) is a Trinidadian/American rapper / pop music artist. Minaj is most known for her songs such as "Anaconda", "Super Bass", "Starships" and her feature on "Bang Bang".
Despite her controversial songs, Brent Staples from "The New York Times" claimed her to be 'the most influential female rapper of all time', presumably distinctive for her fast flow and her use of alter egos with Cockney accent.
She has endorsed Adidas, MAC Cosmetics and Pepsi.
Minaj has received ten Grammy-nominations throughout her career, and has won multiple awards including the Billboard's Women in Music 2011 Rising Star award. Best flow, rhymes that make you think, EXTREMELY versatile with her music, and she knows how to get people's attention. All the endorsements and gigs and movies she's been in are examples of what a good businesswoman she is. She's #1 for a reason. What makes people the BEST is how they appeal to the public, and Nicki is killing it with her appeal, which is why she is the most successful female in the game. How good her songs are are based off public opinion, and according to public opinion, she is destroying everyone else and it is reflected on her net worth. Nicki Minaj IS #1. Anyone else who disagrees can look at the numbers because numbers don't lie.
I love Nicki Minaj! I ain't gonna hate on Lil Kim because, honestly, Nicki even admitted that Lil Kim was her inspiration, however, she is evolving and I think she is definitely moving on her sound and drifting away from Lil Kim.. Both worthy to be on the list, as much as all the other ladies here. Except for Iggy Azalea. I don't even know if that counts as rap.
Nicki actually has a lot of meaningful songs, not all of them are like Anaconda. She also writes her own lyrics so I think that's cool
Onika Tanya Maraj is soon to be the most awarded female rapper in history, I understand all the amazing rappers before her, BUT in modern day rap she takes the win. Her raps have meaning and power behind it and lets not mention she was awarded the QUEEN of QUEENS. She collabs with other famous rappers and her hits are always impactful. Many even accuse her of stealing lil kims position or whatever but guess who is doing better now, get over it it's a basic position. And as for Remy Ma she may have dissed Nicky hard but guess who came back with a rap that both clapped back at Remy and also made her thousands! Nicki is hands down the queen of modern day rap and right now there is no competiton!
The girl is sick. Great voice, great style, great flow. And she goes so hard.
What is up with the rest of this list? Half of them aren't even rappers, and the other half suck.
Hard to make a top ten list out of female rappers, but here is the top 5:
1. Nicki Minaj
2. MC Lyte
3. Lil Kim (who I might have put at 2 if I hadn't just been listening to MC Lyte)
4. Lauryn Hill
5. Eve (had to show her love cause she's underrated)
Honorable mention to Trina
Melissa Arnette Elliott is an American musician, hip hop recording artist, dancer and record producer. 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 Elliot is the female rapper who I have the most songs from!
Firstly, every one of her songs is original and different yet always great. Secondly she has never had any beef with any one. Thirdly she is one of the most influential woman in the world.
Finally I can't see y'all disrespect Lil Kim like that, even diddy said she will always be queen, one of the greats, her legacy is huge and no one can argue with facts like that. End of. Kim and Missy will be Queens 4 life
How the hell is nicki minaj at number 2?! She is auto tuned to the max and only popular because she has a big chest and big donk and walks around half naked. Missy should be number 1, great songs and great flow. Her songs are addicting, and she is a good person in my opinion. She is the queen, nicki should be last
Beyond her great flow, attitude and skill as a producer; she is a true artist on some next level creativity. Give a listen to Hot Boyz, Wake Up, Rain, and Her verse on Lyte's Cold Rock a Party. I'd put Lauryn up here but she hasn't had the staying power Missy has.
Kimberly Denise Jones, known professionally by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. There are no question here 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 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. She's never needed to be fake. And while her net worth isn't the highest and she hasn't been 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.
She has consistently been on the seen, even when more talented ladies have appeared and disappeared. She has the most experience in sheer time,lyrically, working with other artists and performing. She continues to work with new artists and stays on top of her game. I believe there is more to being the best than sheer talent, so far lil Kim has shown she has got the skill and energy to keep up.
Can't see how a legend like lil kim is #2 when Nicki took her style. Nicki is good, but how is she going to be team barbie when lil Kim was Black Black Barbie. Without Lil Kim there would be no Nicki! And lil Kim would beat any female MC in a straight up battle, but maybe not Queen Latifah, would love to see that one!
Lil Kim is the realist female rapper of all time. Lil Kim opened doors for some of these female rappers. Lil kim has been through it all and her music relates to everyday life from struggle to high class. She was and will always be Queen Bee. Lil Kim is lyrically intelligent and a money maker.
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer, rapper and songwriter. She is known for being a member of Fugees and for her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which won many awards and broke several sales records. 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 money Grammies and had so many big hits as a solo artist and with the Fugees. What's Nicki Minaj famous for? Showing her entire butt on an album cover, making terrible, meaningless music, and having more artificial substances in her than a candy bar. Choosing a talentless hack over a hardworking legitimate musician is one of the worst things I can think of.
In terms of being the best "rapper", not entertainer, artist, etc., Lauryn Hill hands down. Her lyrical complexity, wordplay, rhyme scheme are on a completely different level than the other women mentioned. Plus, as showcased well on "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" she tackled topics completely unique to the female perspective, (rather than recycling topics male rappers have already beat to death).
I have never seen Nicki Minaj or Cardi B come close to the illustration the Lauryn could display. Lauryn could tackle difficult topics over 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's always been Lauryn.
OK why is Nicki Minaj number one? She is one of the worst artists ever to walk the face of the earth. To be honest, I don't think Lauryn Hill is the best but I just voted for her to get Minaj off the top spot. I guarantee the majority of people who voted for Nicki Minaj can't even name 5 female rappers. People need to listen with their own ears instead of going along with what the media tells them.
Honestly not an opinion but a fact, this woman right here will always the queen of hip/hop. She's recognised for talent and her talent only, no gimmicks. She has legacy that will last a lifetime in hip/hop, remain a staple of a great female rapper. Also her album remains a classic even outside of the hip/hop community.
Dana Elaine Owens, known professionally by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, model, television producer, record producer, comedian, and talk show host. 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 is top notch she is one of the best rappers period and she did it without being fake shaking her ass and rapping about mess. Also her beats are awesome. Only rapper on the list who is as good as her skill wise is Nicki Minaj.
The Queen could run circles around Nicki and all these all other wannabe 'rappers' from these days. Her songs were meaningful and empowering with none of that "I'm a b****! " mentality that is so common among the female MCs of now. All hail the Queen!
WHY is The Queen number 8?!?! When I think of rap she is the first person that comes to mind. She is 1000% better than these other rappers
When I think of Women and Rap together, a mere 101% of the time I think of Queen Latifah...
Left Eye IS the truest rapper out here, she is WAY better than Minaj, even though her stuff is dope, Lisa always represented those girls who didn't always want to reveal their bodies and wanted to be independent. Nicki's stuff is okay but her raps don't talk about the big issues today. Lisa's Legacy STILL lives on through Tboz and Chili, that is why Left Eye deserves top spot!
Left Eye is the best female rapper in this list, the way she rap was unique and amazing in it was always real, always rapping about real stuff unlike nicki minaj.
She was the female version of tupac and both of them was real.
Left eye queen of rap even if she ain't alive.
Lisa had great versatility as a rapper, and her style constantly evolved throughout her career. She rapped from everything from sexual liberation to spirituality in a way that hadn't been done before. She was genuine and real.
Why the heck Nicki first? She says for herself she the Female Weezy.. and Weezy isn't the best male rapper.. at least Lisa, Queen, MC, Yoyo and others didn't try to be anyone else.. plus Nicki is meaningless.. Ten years from now you won't remember her.. But It's been 12 years since Left Eye's death and 22 years since her debut and still known as the Princess of Rap.. only second to Queen Latifah. In my opinion.
Eve Jihan Jeffers-Cooper is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eve is the realest! Should be number 1! Her songs aren't just catchy and booty shaker- 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 am sure she deserved to be one among the rappers in this world. I can't compare her to Miss Eliot so I thought she got luck 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, except she kind of sold out now.
She didn't even rap as good as DMX in her crew, Eve's last album was worse than Nicki's 2nd given it was full of EDM and Pop just like her's, so miss me with that "Starships" comment.
Amethyst Amelia Kelly, born June 7, 1990 known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, singer, songwriter, and model. Iggy should be number 1 or at least number 2 (but behind Nicki) all of these other rappers you never hear of them?!? By the way sorry if they do still produce music just I am really big into music and I have never heard of these other people! I am on team Iggy Azalea you go girl and why is the internet being so mean to this girl like seriously?!?
I think she is great! She is very talented and has awesome songs like Walk the Line, 100, Trouble, Work, Bounce, Fancy, Black Widow (my faverote) just to name a few and has a great flow and voice, she also was in a great song, Problem, she sounded fantastic with Ari, why is she behind Nicki? Nicki shouldn't be on this list.
Iggy Azalea is a great rapper. How can she be #14 she has been rapping more and more songs. Each one can get better and better. Black widow, Fancy, Problem are songs she's been rapping. The songs she raps are what make people want to listen to them. GO IGGY!
Iggy azalea has great talent, I think she's better than Nicki Minaj not at rapping but a better influence than Nicki. Iggy seems to be the more kind women than Nicki because Nicki seems kinda rude and acts better than everyone.
Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand, better known by her stage name Foxy Brown, is a Trinidadian American rapper. Foxy is so under-rated for her to be so far down on this list. Lyrically she has flow, she can ride the hell out of a beat. True she used sex appeal on her video and album covers to help sells, but what's the difference between any male rapper using females in the same prospective 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. Foxy always kept business separate from personal life and never let her rivalry's slow her down. People may have their favorite album by her but what ever she does will always been my favorite.
Broken silence is the best female rap album ever released. A world where Nicki Minaj is voted as the best is a world where people don't know REAL hip hop
Boogie is the bomb she shouldn't be here, she started at 16 and was one of the youngest artist to hit platinum and go for gold!
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 3 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 stuff, unlike most of today's mainstream "rappers". Lyte as a Rock was a classic. REAL Hip-Hop. Stuff that has meaning.
Nicki Minaj? Seriously, how could you possibly place someone else than MC Lyte or Lauryn Hill on top of the list? People need to start listening to real rap, not commercial crap.
Mc Lyte is awesome! She's actually been considered one of the greatest rappers period! She and Lauryn Hill were considered one of the greatest on lists with mostly the males.
I vote you because I heard jammin with you and bob marley on chant down babylon. YOU mc lyte are the best female rapper there is. Nicki minaj does not qualify as a rapper because she has no purpose to her songs.
Azealia Amanda Banks is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. Raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Banks began releasing music through MySpace in 2008, eventually being signed to XL Recordings at age 17. After releasing her debut single "212" to commercial success, she secured a recording contract with Interscope and Polydor Records, and later released her first extended play 1991 to minor chart success. 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! What really makes her stand apart is her amazing ear for great beats. I hope she has a very long career. Go Yung Rapunxel!
Definitely the new and one to beat. Her songs keep improving and very noticeably. She is rising and I hope gets to the top, because she has that potential and she could rock it.
She's just great. I would love to see her get to the top. She can easily beat any of the other female rappers out there. Just my opinion.
Literally a goddess of music in general. Her talent is unmatched. A little mouthy, but her talent is literally incomparable to any other artist in history
Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam, better known by her stage name M.I.A., is an English hip hop recording artist, director, visual artist, activist, record producer, photographer, fashion designer and model. I'm not saying Missing In Action 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, she doesn't rap about having a big ass, she doesn't rap about having a lot of money, and she isn't all the time rapping about love.
M.I.A. raps about REAL stuff. She raps about identity politics, poverty, revolution, gender and sexual stereotypes, war. She raps about REAL problems. She's a TRUE artist, and doesn't need neither a cute face nor 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 people everyday;))
She should definitely be in the top of the list! She is so much better than some of the others that have been mentioned. Her songs definitely have better beat, better lyrics, better distinction, better quality. She even talks about worldly problems in some of her songs... I guess mainstream pop culture takes over, but she is capable of fulfilling that as well.
Without doubt, her album "Kala" is one of the best albums a female hip hop artist ever created and in my opinion, it's the best album of the 2000s.
M.I.A. combines hip hop music with electro beats, African and Indian influences and lyrics which actually make sense and have political message. She's an experimental, adorable artist and a great rapper!
I really enjoy her style of Hip Hop which incorporates influences from Alternative, Electronica, Pop and World music.
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (born October 11, 1992), known professionally as Cardi B, is an American rapper. Born and raised in New York City, she became an Internet celebrity by achieving popularity on Vine and Instagram. From 2015 to 2017, she appeared as a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York, which depicted her pursuit of her music aspirations. She released two mixtapes—Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 (2016) and Vol. 2 (2017), before signing with Atlantic Records in February 2017. ...read more. Best female rapper of all time, you the best baby. Keep it up your better than Nikki any day shawty. And you gotta fat ass on you
What? she is absolutely excellent, she shouldn't even need a list, she should be the highest! She is a great rapper.
Some on this list are not necessarily rappers, but I voted accordingly as best I could.
Cardi is the best she should be 1 and Nikki at the bottom or not even on here! Nikki is so rude to cardi
She's under rated she's the most consistent she's very humble She's really the only female rapper From the 90's That never left the game she was consistent And have been consistent and still is consistent She's the baddest chick She hated on a lot...Hip hop has cheated her out A lot of awards that I feel like she deserved She's a legend in the game She is the one and only official Queen of the South Hate it or love it She has been holding the south down for a long time Ti is the king of the south and Trina is the Queen of the South... She's independent artist now she's on her own self Is called Rockstar music group... She has a cosmetic line perfume line A clothing line She's going to be featured in a movie coming to theaters soon... So I would say trina is most definitely my favorite female rapper of all time...
Trina is the realist female rapper to me, The Queen of Hip hop, she stay on her money, don't have time for beefing and hating on others, her lyrics/flow is sick always on beat, her swag is awesome and she proved she can stand on her own.
I'm going by the numbers Trina has been the most consistent female rapper of all time so she should be number one she gives us the most music constantly. Pushing albums like bricks every time you turn around.
This lady is serious with rap and always stay to the beat, she is the best rapper, she will never go off beat.
Snow the Product should be number 1. No one knows real rap until they hear her. Nikki Minaj does not deserve 1st place because she raps about bs. Everyone thinks good rap is making metaphors. No. That's where people go wrong. The definition of real rap is Tech N9ne, Biggie, and of course, Snow the Product.
Nikki Minaj, she doesn't't deserve to be in the top fifty. Snow the product is the best in the game. She's even better than the guys that are mainstream and better then 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
Snow is clearly the best. She kills every song she is on. She raps about stuff that matters. She writes her own music. The most under rated rapper.
Snow the Product by far best female rapper. No matter how fast she raps you can actually understand what she is saying.. #Nicki minaj sucks!
Stacy Ann "Fergie" Ferguson is an American singer, songwriter, fashion designer, television host, and actress. Fergie can do anything with her voice and she is so perfect, she can rap really fast (as Eminem) for a long time without losing breath, this girl is amazing!
She is definitely the best rapper (better than Nicki Minaj) I just love her in the Black Eyed Peas and I love her even more on her own! Her songs fergalicious, London bridge, and clumsey are really good!
What the hell is Nicki Minaj doing at 1st!
You have got to be kidding me!
In my opinion she sucks at rapping so don't go bothering me.
But fergie is good!
FERGIE IS A LEGEND! She has the best rhymes. Her song's Pedestal, Clumsy, London Bridge and Fergalicious. Also she is amazing in the Black Eyed Peas and she can sing for a long time without Stopping. She's like the queen of all Music, no joke
Reminisce Mackie, known professionally as Remy Ma, is an American rapper. She was initially discovered by Big Pun, and came to prominence for her work as a member of Fat Joe’s group, Terror Squad. 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 by 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. 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 is tight, just like how rap should be not 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.
If I was being honest, Remy Ma is a lot better than Nicki Minaj. Her flow is way effortless and is 1 of the mainstream female rappers with super good wordplay and deliveries.
This list is idiotic. Remy Ma and Missy Elliot are the only people I see on the front page with actual talent and flow. I mean, Nicki Minaj as number 1? Seriously?
Wow Da Brat might be the best one on the list. Should definitely be in the top 10
I'm riding with you till the wheels fall off.
O. G that's all I need to say
I like her so much
Rebbeca Marie Gomez, better known as Becky G, is a Latin/American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress. Amen. My fellow beasters. I am so proud of her. I get 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
MY GOD! I'm so suprised Becky doesn't have more votes! She is my ultimate role model! I personally think that whole "Jenny from the Block and Becky from the Block" thing is cool but Becky's is so much better and Becky was the one who inspired me to wanna rap! Becky G is the best of the best... So vote for her!
She is only 16, just started singing. She got a talent and have a bright future ahead.
I think becky g is the best! She should be third. I think she is as great as nicki minaj.
Megan Jovon Ruth Pete (born February 15, 1995), known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Houston, Texas. I liked her at first but I have a little doubts, still decent but not god-tier for sure. Good flow thpugh.
I checked out a couple of songs from 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've had the best album of 2019 and she's not even top 20?
Elizabeth Eden Harris, better known by her stage name, cupcakKe, is a rapper, singer, and songwriter. She was born on May 31, 1997 in Chicago, United States. Although she is best known for her sexually explicit lyrics, cupcakKe was raised in a church and is still a devout Christian. Cupcakke is my fave female rapper ever. Deepthoat is one of my fave songs and I could listen to it continuously for about 5 days
She is a great rapper, though I don't like all her songs about sex
So bad it's good
Amazing flow with her songs and it's almost hypnotizing.
Best female rapper of modern times.
She's actually really fire.
Kesha Rose Sebert (formerly known as Ke$ha) was born on March 1st, 1987 in Los Angeles, United States. She is best known for her hits like Timber, Tik Tok, and We R Who We R.
Kesha is an animal rights activist and she works for H.S.I. (Humane Society International). Kesha also stands up for L.G.B.T. rights in America Hmm, not sure if she's quite a rapper although she does have some rap parts. Most of her music though is like rap-singing. It's a mixture. I wouldn't mind if she tried full rap though, she sounded pretty good in 'Sleazy'.
Kesha you are my best girl rapper in the world... I think Nikki minaj is only no1 woman rapper in the history.. But in my mind you are the best and number 1 girl rapper in the world... I love your song so much... My favorite song is tiktok
Take it of is her best song.. I have ever heard. She has a amazing vocal. ! Love you ke$ha. My sweet best female rapper.
She's a multitalented artist who has such skill. And she's a kind and caring person I love her. Much better than Iggy Azalea