TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Once a predominantly male-dominated field, hip-hop has evolved into a more inclusive space where women stand tall as lyrical geniuses with unique styles. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, but is owed to some of the best female rappers, who pioneered a new era in the genre through their achievements, cultural impact, and undeniable talent.
List of the Best Female Rappers of All Time
Billboard has revealed its list of the best female rappers of all time, based on several criteria including body of work, influence, longevity, lyrical skill, and flow. Scroll down to discover the top 10.
1. Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is widely regarded as one of the best female rappers of all time. Starting off as a backup singer, the Trinidad-born rapper captivates any listeners with her iconic, flowing, quick-spoken rap style and provocative lyrics.
Throughout her career, Minaj pushes the boundaries of hip-hop as she releases hits after hits, from the Billboard 200 chart-topping Pink Friday (2010) album, to Starships and Anaconda. Beyond her music catalog, the record-breaking Pink Friday 2 World Tour is cited as the highest-grossing tour for a female rapper in history.
2. Missy Elliott
It’s nearly impossible to compile a list of the greatest female rappers without naming Missy Elliott. Her breakthrough came with the debut of Supa Dupa Fly, a project born from her early collaborations with the '90s Swing Mob collective and her longtime friend and producer, Timbaland. With four Grammy Awards to her name, Missy Elliott remains a dominant force in the world of hip-hop, even in this 21st century.
3. Lauryn Hill
Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Nas arguably owe part of their artistic freedom to Lauryn Hill, who pioneered blurring the lines between hip-hop, jazz, funk, R&B, boom-bap, and pop from the very beginning. Hill’s legendary debut of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) went multi-platinum across several countries.
Just a year later, history was made, as she was nominated for 10 Grammys and won half of them. Among the five is another groundbreaking legacy, as Miseducation became the first hip-hop record to win album of the year.
4. Lil Kim
Lil Kim is undeniably one of the best female rappers of all time. Rising to fame despite a devastating childhood, Kim’s life changed as she was discovered by the legendary Notorious B.I.G, who became both her mentor and romantic partner.
By the latter half of the 1990s, Kim then made a name with her iconic, sexually charged lyrics, which revolutionized the role of women in rap. As influential as she is in rap, Lil Kim is also a timeless fashion icon, with her trend-setting looks in the Crush on You video continuing to inspire mood boards to this day.
5. Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah stands tall as a transformative force for women entering the rap world. Emerging in the late 1980s, her presence dominated with the release of her legendary 1989 debut album All Hail the Queen.
The album not only established Latifah’s presence but also redefined the role of women in hip-hop. It showcased her versatility, confidence, and willingness to experiment with different styles.
6. MC Lyte
Grammy.com honored MC Lyte as a “living legend” in one of their articles, and it’s truly well-deserved. With Lyte as a Rock in 1988, she was the first solo female rapper to release a full-length album. However, her legacy is defined by more than just discography. Delivered through her husky voice, MC Lyte’s rap style of addressing social issues has had a lasting impact on generations of hip-hop artists.
7. Salt-N-Pepa
As one of the first all-female rap groups to achieve mainstream success, Salt-N-Pepa owes it to their unplanned hit The Show Stoppa (Is Stupid Fresh). They are famously recognized for conveying messages of independence with a feminist attitude, with top-charted hits like Push It, Shake Your Thang, and Let’s Talk About Sex. Though disbanded in 2002, their legacy remains evident.
8. Roxanne Shante
A trailblazer in every sense is the force behind Roxanne Speaks Out, Roxanne Shante herself. She took the rap game to new heights as she emerged as a freestyle-rapping icon and the original queen of battle rap. Honing her gift at the age of eight, Shante achieved a historic milestone as the first female solo rapper to receive the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
9. Eve
Best known for hits like What Ya Want, Gangsta Lovin’ and Let Me Blow Ya Mind, Eve broke through the rap scene just out of her teenage years. She was widely celebrated for her confident and assertive style, which bridges Queen Latifah’s feminist energy and Lil Kim's bold, sexually charged lyrics. Under the Ruff Ryders label, Eve was able to fully express her talent and quickly rose to the top, with her tracks climbing the charts one after another.
10. Foxy Brown
Foxy Brown rounds out the list of the best female rappers of all time, well known for her sultry voice. She caught the attention of the Trackmasters at just 15 years old during a talent contest, leading to a headline-making debut under the mentorship of the legendary Jay-Z. Her platinum-selling album Ill Na Na cemented her status in the rap world.
These ten best female rappers of all time not only shaped hip-hop as we enjoy it today but also opened the door for future generations of female emcees. For a similar discovery, let’s take a look at the best rappers of all time.
Editor’s Choice: Top 10 Richest Rappers in the World 2025, Rap and Hip Hop Millionaire Club
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