They may not be in the top 10 richest acts in the genre, but it's clear that there are several enlightened female rappers spewing crazy bars and serving rap targets around the world these days. In a male-dominated industry, a revolution that took place in the 1980s allowed female rappers to receive the well-deserved recognition that had eluded them, giving the hip-hop genre a new look and style.
Blockbusters like Missy Elliot, Lauren Hill, and Queen Latifah set the pace for the emerging female rappers, and look at where we are today. Some of the hottest hits of recent times have more than a few links to these talented women, especially the top 10 best female rappers in the world right now.
With the influx of new talents into the rap genre, it has become extremely difficult to name the best of the best, but we can try. For what it's worth, our list of the top 10 best female rappers in the world not only focuses on talent but also values the ability to break through new barriers, explore the horizons and stay relevant in the highly competitive entertainment industry. . Let's take a look at some of the biggest women's acts pulling out all the stops to make a statement with their votes.
Best female rappers in the world
Their achievements speak for them and these ladies have continued to make audiences more and more popular. Apparently, male rappers have to do their job and watch out for these divas. In no particular order, here are the queens of the rap world, aka - the charts and top 10 best female rappers in the world right now.
1. Lil' Kim
Despite her brief violation of the law, KimberlyDenis Jones has maintained her position among the most influential rappers in history. Accompanied by The Notorious BIG herself, Kim has put in so many accomplishments since her 1996 debut. She holds the record for the first album by a female rapper to be honored with hip-hop magazine's coveted 5 Microphones award - The Source.
Living on the streets of New York after she was Kim was sent away from home and freestyle her rap skills until Biggie Smalls explored her after which she joined his Junior MAFI a rap crew. Subsequently, the rapper became one of three female acts to have three platinum-certified studio albums. Even while serving time in 2005, the "Queen of Rap" and "Hip-Hop Goddess," as she's often called, continued to release hits to receive reviews. She has sold over 15 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide to date and her $25 million net worth is proof that she is on the right track.
2. Remy Ma
Active since 1998, Reminisce Mackie who goes by the professional name Remy Ma first gained prominence when she joined Fat Joe's music group, but she was discovered by Big Pun. Since then, she has earned her respect as part of the top 10 best female rappers with many awards and nominations to her name, regardless of the fact that she has spent six years in prison.
Ma is known for her unique way of dropping the bars so effortlessly, leaving her audience thinking and leaving something new in every track.
3. Missy Elliot
Straight from the church choir, Melissa Arnette Elliott - AKA, Missy Elliot is very, very hot. You just have to love the versatile entertainer with her effortless skills in rapping, dancing, singing, writing, and directing music videos. She is among the pacesetters for female rappers and has remained relevant since her debut in 1989, earning herself a spot in the top 10 best female rappers in the world. She holds the record as the only female rapper to have racked up six platinum-certified albums.
Missy's absence was unequivocally felt in the music industry in 2011 as a result of her battle with a hyperthyroidism condition called Graves' disease. The condition came with symptoms that prevented her from writing songs because she couldn't hold onto a pen for long. Nevertheless, with the right treatment, the legendary rapper is in a better place and looking forward to a comeback. Meanwhile, she has won several awards in the past, including four Grammys, and sold more than 30 million records in the United States alone.
4. Nicki Minaj
voice control; unique music style - check; effortless flow - check; crazy bars - double check. Nicki Minaj is quite the attention grabber and has been ranked among the 10 best female rappers in the world over time. Her raw bars can get some people all excited, but Nicki didn't get cold and never holds back. She is popular for spitting her lyrics very quickly, in addition to those colorful costumes and wigs that have become her signature look.
The Anaconda hitmaker with the real name Onika Tanya Maraj is one of the younger female rappers who have given the genre a new look. Seriously, we weren't ready for the Trinidadian-American bomb. With hit tracks such as Super Bass, Starships, and Bang Bang, Minaj holds the record as the female act with the most Billboard Hot 100 entries, not just in hip-hop, but across all genres.
Her insane flow and delivery have earned her 6 American Music Awards, 11 BET Awards, 4 MTV Video Music Awards, 4 Billboard Music Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award, as well as 10 Grammy Award nominations. In addition, her commercial success has sold her 20 million singles (as lead artist), 60 million singles (as a lead artist), plus more than 5 million albums sold worldwide. No reason to say she has a place among the best-selling musicians in the world and the world should watch out for the ball of fire that is Nicki Minaj.
5. Lauren Hill
Among the legends in the industry, Lauryn NoelleHill may have isolated herself from removing herself from the public eye, but she still earns a spot among the top 10 best female rappers to ever be. The American singer, rapper, and songwriter was part of the Fugees group before breaking records with the release of her debut and only solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album made her a worldwide name, earning a number one spot on the US Billboard 200 upon its debut. It has also sold nearly eight million copies and won five Grammy Awards, among others.
6. MC Lyte
As early as 1988, MC Lyte, real name - LanaMichelle Moorer emerged as the first solo female rapper to release a complete album. The album (Lyte as a Rock) was not only a collection of songs but was widely acclaimed. She successfully changed the stereotype of female rappers who couldn't shine in the male-dominated genre and will be remembered as one of the first feminists of hip-hop. Since then, she has released seven more albums, including 2015 Legend.
7. Eve
Though she has become more of an actress, a list of the top 10 best rappers in the world wouldn't be perfect without showing some love to the Philadelphia-born star. Eve Jihan Jeffers-Cooper was the first to lift the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002. She received the award for the song Let Me Blow Ya Mind which she did with Gwen Stefani. She has worked with Dr. Dre, DMX, and the Ruff Ryders.
8. Queen Latifah
Before going all Hollywood actress on us, Queen Latifah made a statement earning well-deserved respect as a female hip-hop artist. While her last album (Persona) was released in 2009, she is still remembered and credited as one of the hip pioneer feminists alongside MC Lyte.
9. Cardi B
Love her or hate her, the Bronx-born rapper is here to stay. Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar gradually takes over many things including the charts and gives her predecessors a point for their money. The stripper rapper rose to fame with Lauren Hill as the second female rapper to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with a solo output, achieving this with her single, I Like It. Also, her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, released in 2018, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The musical offerings also broke records amid rave reviews from critics. Born out of her meteoric rise to prominent fame, she made the cut on Time's 2018 100 Most Influential People in the World.
To date, Cardi's growing career has received 2 Grammy Award nominations, 1 Billboard Music Award, 2 BET Awards, and 3 MTV Video Music Awards. Her musical style has been described as unapologetic, raw, and aggressive. She's often been accused of being a Nicki Minaj wannabe, well, who cares? By the way, if the claims include water, she's doing a great job. It looks like Cardi B will remain in the top 10 best female rappers for a long time to come.
10. Iggy Azalea
The Australian rapper whose real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly moved to the US when she was 16 to give her music career a chance. She later signed a deal with rapper TI's Grand Hustle Records. Azalea topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with her first studio album, The New Classic, released in 2014. This distinguished her as the first non-US female rapper to top the charts. She has also recorded several other milestones in her career as a rapper. For more content like this, visit Celebritys Worth.