2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and we're celebrating the women who changed the genre. It used to be dominated by men but not anymore. Women have broken down Hip-Hop barriers and paved the way for the superstars of today. But who are the female Trailblazers who are taking over now? And how has this genre evolved? This is Billboard explains the women of hip hop.
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00:00 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and we're celebrating the women who changed the genre.
00:05 It used to be dominated by men, but not anymore.
00:08 Women have broken down hip-hop barriers and paved the way for the superstars of today.
00:13 But who are the female trailblazers? Who's taking over now? And how has the genre evolved?
00:18 This is Billboard Explains, The Women of Hip-Hop.
00:21 DJ Kool Herc is officially credited for starting the hip-hop movement at a birthday party in the Bronx in 1973.
00:28 But did you know that a woman played a huge role in those early years?
00:32 Sylvia Robinson created Sugarhill Gang, whose 1980s track "Rapper's Delight" was the first Top 40 rap hit on Hot 100.
00:41 [Rapping]
00:49 As for the first female rapper, we need to give credit to MC Shaarok, hip-hop's first female MC.
00:55 She started off as a member of the hip-hop crew Funky 4+1.
00:59 Her style of delivering raps on mixtapes influenced female rappers to come.
01:03 Then there was Roxanne Shante and MC Lyte, who really made a name for themselves early on as well.
01:08 But the biggest growth happened throughout the 80s and 90s as more female rappers battled their way to the top,
01:14 including Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa.
01:16 Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown embraced their sexuality on their terms, while Missy Elliott created some of the most innovative music videos of the decade.
01:25 All while rocking a unique style.
01:27 It took years, but it's just that time.
01:30 They not gonna be held back.
01:33 Fast forward to today and the women of the genre are proving that now is the best time to be a woman in hip-hop.
01:39 Artists like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion are topping the Billboard charts, winning Grammys and landing business deals,
01:47 despite all the barriers.
01:49 Y'all need to put some respect on these female rappers' names.
01:52 Absolutely.
01:52 I will say that.
01:54 And female rappers have evolved within the genre too, with rappers today embracing sisterhood by working together and supporting each other more than ever before.
02:02 We have our own fan bases. We have our own messages.
02:05 We have, you know, our own shows, our own everything. And so I don't really see any of this as a competition.
02:11 Everybody just like has their own store.
02:13 Women are taking control of their narratives,
02:16 while also giving props to those who paved the way. Like Lizzo collaborating with Missy Elliott,
02:21 Ice Spice teaming up with Nicki Minaj, or Lotto and Sweetie working with Trina for the 2020 track "Bitch From Da South."
02:28 Who knows where the genre will go in the next 50 years, but overall the future is bright for women in hip-hop.
02:34 pop.
02:35 (upbeat music)
02:37 (whooshing)