Don’t Sleep! These Up-And-Coming Female Lyricists Are About to Blow Up

The hip-hop scene has evolved, with leading the genre previously dominated by males. In recent years, female rappers have been smashing through traditional barriers and redefining rap music.

From GRAMMY-nominated albums to viral songs, these women are not only making waves but also reshaping the culture. Here's a look at some of the top lyrical female rappers commanding the spotlight in today's hip-hop scene.

Rapsody’s 2010 mixtape, Return of the B-Girl, raised the bar for female rappers. The record showcased the North Carolina native quick wit and intelligence, solidifying Rapsody’s reputation as one of the genre's elite lyricists.

Her most notable release came in 2017 with the album Laila's Wisdom – which earned widespread acclaim and a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rap Album. The record featured collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and Busta Rhymes, but it failed to leave a dent on the Billboard 200 chart.

Hailing from Mobile, Ala. Flo Milli gained popularity after releasing her viral hit "Beef FloMix" in 2019. Since then, Flo has made a name for herself with her confident delivery and catchy hooks. With her refreshing perspective and undeniable talent, Flo Milli is poised to become a lyrical force in hip-hop for years to come.

In addition to being praised for her pen game, Flo has seen some commercial success. Her single “Never Lose Me” peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, after gaining traction on TikTok.

“I sent it to Bryson. That happened because he was hitting me on DMs [before it was officially out], like, ‘Drop this s--t. This song has been in my head,’” Flo told Billboard. “I was like, ‘You should put a little verse on it,’ and that’s how that came about.”

Houston native Ken The Man is raw, real, and arguably one of the illest female rappers in the game. Despite her rap moniker, Ken is a woman who prides herself on being able to rap alongside the biggest MCs in the game.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne, Ken honed her skills as a rapper and made a name for herself in the Miami music scene. In 2018, Ken gained widespread attention with her breakout single "He Be Like.”

Tierra Whack is not your typical hip-hop artist. She raps offbeat, has quirky lyricism, and boundaries creativity. Tierra challenges the norms of the genre and has carved out a unique space for herself in the music industry.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, the MC, whose real name is Tierra Helena Whack, burst onto the scene in 2018 with her debut project, Whack World. Her lyrics are often abstract, painting vivid pictures that challenge fans to think outside the box.

“I was just doing what I felt,” Tierra explained when discussing her debut EP with WIRED. “If I want to be a rockstar today, I’m going to be a rockstar. If I want to be a blues singer tomorrow, that’s what I’m going to do.”