An intimate look at the evolution and impact of women emcees and rappers, told by the trailblazing artists who helped create a musical and cultural empire.
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Shawntae Harris (born April 14, 1974), better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she began her career in 1992, the year she signed with So So Def Records. Her debut album Funkdafied (1994) sold one million copies, making her the first female solo rap act to receive a platinum certification, and the second overall female rap act (solo or group) after Salt-N-Pepa. Brat has received two Grammy Award nominations and has achieved two-top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, "Funkdafied" and "Not Tonight."
Eve Jihan Cooper (née Jeffers; born November 10, 1978) known mononymously as Eve, is an American rapper, singer, actress, and television presenter from Philadelphia. In 1999, she released her debut album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady, which reached number-one on the Billboard 200, making her the third female rapper to accomplish this feat. Eve followed up with three subsequent albums and achieved chart success with her singles, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (featuring Gwen Stefani), "What Ya Want ", "Who's That Girl", "Gangsta Lovin'" (featuring Alicia Keys), "Satisfaction", "Love Is Blind" (featuring Faith Evans), and "Tambourine." As an actress, Eve is known for her role as Terri Jones in the films Barbershop, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, and Barbershop: The Next Cut, as well as Shelley Williams on the UPN television sitcom Eve. She also appeared in films The Woodsman (2004), The Cookout (2004) and Whip It (2009). From 2017 to 2020, Eve was one of the co-hosts of the CBS Daytime talk show The Talk. In 2021, she starred in the American television series, Queens. Eve has received multiple accolades throughout her career, which include a Grammy Award, BET Award, MTV Video Music Award, Teen Choice Award, and two Daytime Emmy Award nominations. Eve was placed on VH1's list of the '50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists'. In 2020, Spin named her one of the '30 Greatest Female Rappers Ever'.
Cheryl Renee James (born March 28, 1966), better known by her stage name Salt, is an American rapper and songwriter. She is best known as a member of the American Grammy–award winning female rap trio Salt-N-Pepa, which also includes Pepa (Sandra Denton) and Spinderella (Deidra "Dee Dee" Roper). James starred in The Salt-N-Pepa Show, a reality TV series focusing on reforming the group; which aired on the VH1 network in 2008. Salt also co-starred in the 1993 motion picture Who's the Man? and Coming 2 America (2021).
Niatia Kirkland, better known as Lil Mama, is a multifaceted and dynamic entertainer, singer, rapper, songwriter, actress, and exceptional dancer. Lil Mama is known for her keen spirit, and in addition to her artistic abilities, she is an inspirational speaker and entrepreneur. Born in Harlem, NY, Lil Mama took to music and dance at an early age. Using poetry as a tool of self-expression, she soon found her voice in music. As she continued to grow, she learned how to combine these skills and her dedication over time led her to global success. In 2006, at 17 years old, she signed to Jive Records and soon after joined Avril Lavigne in Grammy-nominated producer Dr. Luke's remix of Lavigne's song "Girlfriend." Her first full-length album "VYP (Voice of the Young People)" was released just over a year later, debuting at number 25 on the Billboard 200, and featuring the hit single "Lip Gloss," making Lil Mama a household name. While continuing to work on her music, Lil Mama brought her dance expertise and charismatic persona to the judge's table on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" for seven seasons alongside fellow judge JC Chasez and host Mario Lopez. Lil Mama broke into acting in a major way, landing the role of the iconic Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes in the VH1 biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, starring alongside Keke Palmer and Drew Sidora. Lil Mama even joined TLC members Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins' in live performances surrounding the release of the film, including the 2013 American Music Awards. She also co-stars in director Benny Boom's "48 Hours to Live," a 3D hybrid merging the genres of film noir and dance. Most recently, Lil Mama's groundbreaking music video for her song "Sausage" went viral with 3 million views in its first week (and 9.2 million views as of today). The song appears on her mixtape "Take Me Back," released in December 2015, a nostalgic and upbeat ode to the golden years of hip-hop with a fresh millennial appeal. Mama is a passionate and well-rounded artist who understands the importance of constantly honing her craft and staying sharp; with her role as the lead in the raw and powerful true story "Hit a Lick", she further solidifies herself as a formidable contender in the arts and entertainment arena.
One of the more famous hip hop radio personalities Angie have been around and remained relevant since the 90's. She's also released her own music as a rapper as well as acted in numerous films.
Yolanda Whitaker, better known by her stage name Yo-Yo, has been among the most sophisticated and unpredictable female MCs around. She doesn't take an overtly feminist tack but urges young women to show sexual restraint and use their minds as well as their bodies.
