Female rappers may be a minority in Hip-Hop, but there are plenty that have contributed heavily to the genre. XXL sparked a growing conversation with its “20 Best Female Rappers Of All Time” list, with some expected entries and a few curious omissions.
The XXL staff used a variety of factors to compile the list: sales, chart positions, influence, milestones, and legacy, according to the introduction article. Groups, such as old school legends Salt-N-Pepa, did not make the cut as the list only focuses on soloists. The list is not ranked, opting instead to let the readers determine that for themselves. Of course, veteran names like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Roxanne Shante make the list. Later stars such as Lauryn Hill, Jean Grae, Foxy Brown, Eve and Nicki Minaj also are included.
The list takes an interesting turn with the inclusion of relative newcomer Iggy Azalea and M.I.A., but leaving out significant players like Rah Digga, Mia X, Bahamadia, Invincible and a host of others. North Carolina’s Rapsody was also included on XXL‘s list, but fans in the comments section were furious for the most part. We don’t have an opinion on the list aside from it being interesting if nothing else.
Hit the jump to see XXL‘s “The 20 Best Female Rappers Of All Time” list in full. Let us know in the comments who should be on or off the list.
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Photo: XXL
