How Africa
1. Missy Elliott
“Missy” Elliott is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Her first major success came as a songwriter with childhood friend and producer Timbaland on projects for Aaliyah, 702, Total, and SWV. As a record producer and songwriter, Elliot has worked with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson, as well as contemporary artists Keyshia Cole, G Dragon, Tamia, Monica, and Ciara.
2. Eve
Eve is a hip hop recording artist and actress from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the inaugural winner of the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002, for the song “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”, with American singer Gwen Stefani. Eve was number 48 on VH1’s “50 Greatest Women of the Video Era” list.
3. Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, model, television producer, record producer, comedienne, and talk show host. She has long been considered one of hip-hop’s pioneer feminists. Her work in music, film, and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, and a Grammy Award. “U.N.I.T.Y.” was a hit record for Queen Latifah with a powerful message— another reason why give much respect to the Queen.
4. Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip-hop trio from Queens, New York. The group, consisting of Cheryl James (“Salt”), Sandra Denton (“Pepa”) and originally Latoya Hanson, who was replaced in 1986 by Deidra Roper (“DJ Spinderella”), was formed in 1985 and was one of the first all-female rap groups. They won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
5. Lil’Kim
Lil’ Kim, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, living much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, Jones would freestyle rap, heavily influenced by actress/singer Diana Ross, and fellow female hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and The Lady of Rage.
6. MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988’s critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock. She has long been considered one of hip-hop’s pioneer feminists.
7. Da Brat
Da Brat is the stage name of Shawntae Harris, an American rapper, and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female solo rap act to have a platinum-selling album and the second overall female rap act after Salt N Pepa. Da Brat was discovered by Jermaine Dupri in 1992.
