Spotify are celebrating “hip-hop’s women-led renaissance” and so here’s their list of who the best female rappers are.
When deciding who leads the pack in a genre or an art-form, it’s not just as simple as taking raw talent into account. The cultural influence that a figure has can play a huge part in their legacy and impact.
Looking at the talent and influence of women in hip-hop, Spotify hosted a special art exhibit. ‘The Gold Standard’ was made to spotlight “the new generation of women in hip-hop, celebrating their influence on music and culture from 2018 to today”.
The exhibit, hosted in New York City, saw a number of Spotify-commissioned portraits featuring Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, City Girls, Saweetie, Latto, Sexyy Red, Ice Spice, GloRilla, and Flo Milli. The art was completed by fine artist Manon Biernacki.
Image credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Spotify
Spotify’s Editorial Lead, Briana Younger said: “Over the years, we’ve seen more women than ever breaking out and having these big cultural moments that energize people. The playlist is best for being a snapshot of the most recent stuff, but with the exhibit, we wanted to showcase the longevity of this era.”
The hip-hop artists featured are based on their significance in the last 6 years, so icons like Missy Elliott and Ms. Lauryn Hill are absent. Still, there are undoubtedly those who would disagree with the lineup.
Acknowledging the difficult choice of selecting a limited line-up, Younger added: “All of the women we included and even others that we didn’t—they aren’t just one-hit wonders or has-beens. They’ve consistently been a part of the conversation, evolving the way artists can function and have success in this landscape, and it’s important to celebrate that.”
You can view all the portraits from Spotify’s blog post. You can listen to the biggest hits from rap’s pioneering women including those who weren’t selected for ‘The Gold Standard’ in Spotify’s playlist ‘Feelin’ Myself’.
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