The Best Female Rap Artists

I am a big fan of music created by and for women, and I find that female rappers best embody the strength and lived experience that women share and can relate to. I decided to compile a (condensed) list of my favorites, and a little about their individual contributions to music. 

1. Ms. Lauryn Hill 

Lauryn Hill is honestly one of my very favorite artists in general, and her pure talent as a rapper emphasizes the breadth of her musical abilities, among all of them. Hill has had such an impactful career. She was extremely successful as a member of The Fugees, and her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is one of the most empowering and influential albums of all time. She is skilled in rap and is one of the few artists able to casually blend it in and out of her songs seamlessly. Lauryn Hill has influenced an entire generation of young artists and will continue to do so as her legacy continues. 

1. Young M.A. 

Young M.A. is possibly one of the hardest female rappers alive. She has a voice and flow rivaling any famed rapper and has gained prominence based on her amazing performances, including performing alongside 21 Savage and opening for Beyonce’s tour. Young M.A. is an inspiration as an artist: she has used her platform to share about her background openly and has done so seemingly effortlessly.  

1. Doja Cat

Doja Cat started creating really unique raps unlike any other artists at the time in 2014 with her Purrr! EP, and I have been a big fan since. Although Doja Cat is mostly now known for her hit songs that have taken over TikTok, she truly has raw musical talent and is able to rap with incredible speed and clarity, even live. She is an impressive musician and a strong figure especially for young women, as she advocates for self-acceptance and empowerment. I can see her influencing the world of pop-rap in the future, more than she already has. 

1. Megan Thee Stallion 

Not only has Megan Thee Stallion basically taken over the rap scene, she is truly an icon and inspiration. As a liberated woman with empowering, sexy lyricism and effortless flow; she is also balancing being a student in college. Megan has impacted rap artists and has introduced features by other prominent artists. I really look forward to her growth as an artist, and definitely think she is one of the most improved artists this year. 

1. Honorable Mentions 

I definitely can’t list all of the most influential or best female rappers in one short list, and I want to keep this post short and sweet. I also really adore the following women and think they are incredible artists, all worth checking out: Flo Milli, Kari Faux, City Girls, Saweetie, Tierra Whack, and Kash Doll. 

Hope you guys enjoyed, let me know what you think! 

– Miranda