The Extinction of the Female Rapper Posted by Sharlyn Pierre on 11/04/09 | Filed under Features, Nicki Minaj, Sharlyn Pierre

All right students of hip hop, class is in session and today, teach (that would be me) is giving a pop quiz! Name as many female rappers as you can, go! I tried this at home and I was able to jot down 10; not bad, huh? Names like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Da Brat, Missy, Eve, Jean Grae, Lil’ Kim, and Foxy Brown, were on my list. The reason for this impromptu test is because after watching BET’s "Hip Hop Awards" last week, I noticed that there was only one femcee holding it down in the cipher and that was Nicki Minaj. Now, there has been some serious chatter about her as a lyricist prior to the award show. I must admit, before hearing that hot 16, I was crazy apprehensive about her style. However, her colorful change ups have grown on me because I admire the fact that she can go from pretty to gritty.

If I may keep it 100, I think being a female rapper is difficult for that exact reason. You’re not just referred to as being a wordsmith, you’re constantly reminded that, first and foremost, you’re a woman. Femcees also face the accusations of not putting their rhymes together all by their lonesome. Need I remind you, one of the top selling rap groups of all time would not be complete without their leading lady? If you guessed The Fugees, you guessed right. There would be no Fugees without Lauryn Hill. I know that, and you know that. She’s been one of the few who have been able to hold her own in a clubhouse where a “No Girls Allowed” sign used to hang. From my observation, the only time women are allowed in the presence of rappers is when they expose their goodies for the boys to ogle. That is a sure fire way to get their attention, but not one to keep it.

Another femcee faux pas is the discussion of lip service. And know you exactly what I mean. Forgive me, but I couldn’t be coy about it. The same way that comment may have caused you to raise your eyebrows, is precisely how I feel when I hear female rappers mention what’s under her unmentionables. At first, it was uplifting and refreshing to hear a female rapper be just as hardcore (Thanks Lil’ Kim) as the fellas. But when rap embraced women talking about their sexuality, I began to feel like you would be remiss as femcee if you didn’t. I don’t mind the occasional “slippery when wet” remark but after awhile, could you just talk about something else?

In the end it all comes down to this: The game is in dire need of more female lyricists. They’re almost extinct, and if a new generation of female rappers doesn't emerge soon, today's artists will be the last of a dying breed.

(Editor's Note: For a male perspective on "Nicki Minaj, the Soon-to-be-Forgotten Bitch" click here.)