A Masterclass: 6 Unforgettable Bars Written by Female Rappers That Redefined Hip-Hop
Female rappers have written some of the best bars in history — pump up the volume and check out verses by women that redefined hip-hop!
By Zaniah BoykinMar. 29 2024, Published 1:29 p.m. ET
Since hip hop's inception, female MCs have made invaluable contributions to the rap game.
G.O.A.T.S like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Lil Kim helped shape the rap game for women and showed the male-dominated industry that they were a force to be reckoned with. We should give these women in hip-hop their flowers while they can still smell them!
Tune in for the coldest lyrics spit by female rappers below. Don’t be afraid to rap along!
“Monster” — Kanye West (featuring Jay Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj)
Nicki Minaj performs onstage during iHeartRadio Power 96.1's Jingle Ball 2023 at State Farm Arena on December 14, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Okay, first things first, I'll eat your brains / Then I'ma start rocking gold teeth and fangs / Cause that's what a motherf--kin' monster do / Hair-dresser from Milan, that's the monster 'do” — Nicki Minaj (“Monster”)
Nicki Minaj not only kept up with the boys on her iconic verse on Kanye's "Monster," she ran laps around them.
“Whuteva” — Remy Ma
“My s--t's so butter they should call me Marge / And I ain't gotta be boss just as long as I'm in charge / And whatever I say goes, so if I say no / Don't ask why I assume its because I say so” — Remy Ma (“Whateva”)
Remy Ma made sure to let listeners know who was large and in charge. No matter your gender identity, her lyrics serve as a positive affirmation to get anyone who needs an ego boost. She proved exactly why she was the first lady of Terror Squad.
“All About The Benjamins” — Lil’ Kim, The Lox, The Notorious B.I.G
Performs during the Big Beat/Atlantic Records showcase at the Impact Music Convention at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami
“Dressed in all black like ‘The Omen’ / Have your friends singin’ 'This is for my homey' / And you know me, from makin' n---as so sick / Floss in my 6 with the Lex on the wrist” —Lil’ Kim (“All About The Benjamins”)
Though Lil Kim is small in stature, her lyrics are larger than life. In its prime, this verse burned a hole through cassette players and CD players alike — and can still get a crowd hype. This verse is straight fire and makes listeners want to throw on a fur coat and recite it no matter the weather.
“The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” — Missy Elliott
“Beep, beep, who got the keys to the Jeep? Vroom / I'm driving to the beach / Top down, loud sounds, see my peeps / Give them pounds, now look who it be.”
With her super smooth delivery, Missy Elliott delivered lyrics that made listeners stop what they were doing for three seconds to scream. She created a vibe that listeners could vibe to with their coolest sunglasses on.
“Knuck If You Buck” — Crime Mob (featuring Lil Scrappy)
“I come in da club / Shakin’ my dreads, throwin’ these bows / And bussin’ these heads.”
Diamond went straight savage in her verse on this classic, making everyone shake their dreads (existent or not.) This MC had us in the club wishing we could skip straight to her powerful part, which demanded everyone’s attention with her powerful delivery.
“Lost Ones” — The Fugees
Singer Lauryn Hill performs live on stage at Drum Rythm festival in the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 28th May 1999.
“It's funny how money changes a situation / Miscommunication leads to complication / My emancipation don't fit your equation / I was on the humble, you on every station.” — Lauryn Hill (“Lost Ones”)
Ms. Lauryn Hill is easily considered one of the best female MCs of all time, and her flow on this track made conscious rap cool. Though The Fugees are all stars, in her prime, she was considered one of the best members of the group.
