Blog / List
The 25 best female rappers of all time
From the first female MCs in the Bronx to today's chart-toppers, women have shaped hip-hop from the very start. They broke records, opened doors and wrote some of the greatest verses ever recorded, often while having to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. These are the 25 best female rappers of all time.
1. Lauryn Hill
As a member of the Fugees and as a solo artist, Lauryn Hill set a standard that still hasn't been matched. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) won five Grammys in one night, including Album of the Year, a first for a hip-hop album. She raps and sings with equal brilliance, and "Doo Wop (That Thing)" went straight to number one.
2. Missy Elliott
With Timbaland at her side, Missy Elliott made some of the most futuristic music in hip-hop history, from Supa Dupa Fly (1997) to "Get Ur Freak On" and "Work It". Her videos are iconic, her songwriting is legendary, and in 2023 she became the first female rapper inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
3. Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj from Queens exploded with her verse on Kanye West's "Monster" and Pink Friday (2010). With her alter egos, rapid-fire flows and pop hits like "Super Bass", she has more Billboard Hot 100 entries than any other female rapper.
4. Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim came up in Brooklyn with The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. Her debut Hard Core (1996) was explicit, fearless and in full control, and she changed how women in rap could present themselves, in music and in fashion.
5. Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah brought pride, positivity and power to hip-hop with All Hail the Queen (1989) and "Ladies First". "U.N.I.T.Y." (1993) won a Grammy, and she went on to become a movie star without ever losing her credibility.
6. MC Lyte
MC Lyte from Brooklyn released Lyte as a Rock (1988), one of the first full albums by a solo female rapper. Her sharp, confident delivery on "Paper Thin" and "Cha Cha Cha" made her one of the most respected MCs of the golden age.
7. Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa from Queens were the first female rap act to go platinum, with Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) and "Push It". Hits like "Shoop", "Whatta Man" and "Let's Talk About Sex" made them pop stars with something to say.
8. Cardi B
Cardi B from the Bronx went from Instagram to the top of the charts. "Bodak Yellow" (2017) made her the first solo female rapper with a number one since Lauryn Hill, and Invasion of Privacy made her the first solo woman to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album.
9. Megan Thee Stallion
Houston's Megan Thee Stallion brought "Hot Girl Summer" to the world, with a confident Southern flow and real lyrical skill. The "Savage" remix with Beyoncé went to number one, and in 2021 she won the Grammy for Best New Artist.
10. Little Simz
Little Simz from London is one of the most gifted lyricists of her generation. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021) won the Mercury Prize, and her deep, personal storytelling has made her a leading voice of UK rap.
11. Foxy Brown
Foxy Brown from Brooklyn broke through as a teenager on hits with LL Cool J and Jay-Z, and released Ill Na Na (1996). As part of The Firm with Nas she held her own among the best, and Chyna Doll (1999) went to number one.
12. Eve
Eve, the "First Lady" of the Ruff Ryders, came out of Philadelphia with a tough flow and a big personality. Her debut album went to number one in 1999, and "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani won a Grammy.
13. Da Brat
Da Brat from Chicago became the first solo female rapper to go platinum with Funkdafied (1994), made with Jermaine Dupri. Her fast, playful flow made her one of the stars of the '90s.
14. Roxanne Shanté
At just 14, Roxanne Shanté from Queensbridge answered a hit record with "Roxanne's Revenge" (1984) and started the Roxanne Wars. A fearless battle rapper, she paved the way for every woman who followed.
15. Remy Ma
Remy Ma from the Bronx came up with Fat Joe's Terror Squad on "Lean Back" and is known as one of the sharpest battle rappers ever. "All the Way Up" (2016) brought her back to the top.
16. Rapsody
Rapsody from North Carolina is a lyricist's lyricist. Laila's Wisdom (2017) earned her Grammy nominations, and Eve (2019), with every song named after an inspiring Black woman, is a modern conscious classic.
17. Left Eye
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was the rapper of TLC, the best-selling girl group in American history. Her verses on hits like "Waterfalls" gave the group its edge and humor. She died in 2002.
18. Sha Rock
Sha Rock of the Funky 4 + 1 is one of the very first female MCs. In 1981 the group performed on Saturday Night Live, one of the first hip-hop performances on national television.
19. Doja Cat
Doja Cat from Los Angeles moves between rap and pop with ease and a lot of humor. "Say So" and "Paint the Town Red" went to number one, and she proved herself as a serious rapper with Scarlet (2023).
20. Ice Spice
Ice Spice brought Bronx drill to the charts in 2022 and 2023 with "Munch (Feelin' U)", "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" and "Princess Diana". Her laid-back confidence made her one of the defining new voices of the decade.
21. Trina
Trina, the "Diamond Princess" from Miami, ruled Southern rap with her debut Da Baddest Bitch (2000) and hits like "Here We Go" with Kelly Rowland. She's one of the most influential women in Southern hip-hop.
22. Young MA
Young MA from Brooklyn broke through with "OOOUUU" (2016), one of the biggest viral rap hits of its time. As one of the first openly gay rappers to reach the mainstream, she opened doors for many.
23. Bahamadia
Bahamadia from Philadelphia is one of the most underrated MCs of the '90s. Her debut Kollage (1996), with production by DJ Premier and Guru of Gang Starr, is a cult classic thanks to her smooth, effortless flow.
24. Doechii
Doechii from Tampa, signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, mixes rap, theater and humor like no one else. Alligator Bites Never Heal won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2025, making her one of only three women to win it.
25. Enny
Enny from South London broke through with "Peng Black Girls" (2020), a warm, laid-back celebration of Black womanhood. She stands for a new generation of soulful UK rap.
Who's missing?
Every list like this leaves someone out: Lady of Rage, Monie Love, Rah Digga, Jean Grae, GloRilla, Latto and many more deserve their flowers too. Who would you add? Let us know on Instagram.
