Throughout 2023, hip-hop’s 50th anniversary was celebrated throughout the world. From small block parties to sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium, the world gathered to appreciate an art form that started at a house party on August 11, 1973.
But the celebrations haven’t been without complaints. Some hip-hop pioneers in the South felt they were left out and underrepresented, as well as other regions. And most recently, MC Debbie D, who has dubbed herself the first solo female rapper, took to Twitter to air out some of the luminaries behind the Hip-Hop 50 celebrations.
On Tuesday, Debbie took to Twitter to express her displeasure with the lack of representation of female rap pioneers by posting an open letter.
“Brothers and Sisters: The Grammy Awards and Yankee Stadium events were a beautiful celebration of hip hop commemorating 50 years of our existence,” she wrote. “With the recent Grammys show in particular, LL says ‘everyone cannot be in the show,’ to which I understand. However, in conjunction with not being asked to perform at events, surprisingly, the names of female pioneers are not even included in a ticker tape or roll call. With both omissions, many say, female pioneers are being erased from the narrative.”
She continued acknowledging that some pioneers were included, but it was the bare minimum.
“At the Grammys, it was admirable to see my sisters, MC Sha Rock and Roxanne Shante on the mic performing, having the earliest careers among the other females rappers present, however, between them is a 7 year time span,” she tweeted. “As a Hip Hop Historian and Flyerologist, I present below, a progression of names of early women in hip hop who should always be noted whenever there is a discussion of pioneers.”
“As you know, during Hip Hop 50, women in hip hop today are receiving their flowers,” she continued. “To be on the right side of history is to remember the names of the women who paved their way!”
Debbie D, who is from the Bronx, was among the first female rappers to emerge in 1977. She is now a preacher and minister coach.
