Good news: 2007 is likely to be a “banner year in the world of female rap,” according to a recent Reuters article. Eve, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, Trina, Shawnna and Remy Ma all have albums due out this year.
Last year wasn’t so great — make that the last 16 years. Since 1991, only 13 female rappers have made the Nielsen SoundScan year-end charts. And in 2004, the Recording Academy decided there was no good reason to have a “best female rap artist” category, so they combined it with the male rap artist award. The problem seems to get worse every year, with labels failing to invest in new female rappers and tickets going unsold.
Shawnna (who, by the way, happens to be the daughter of Buddy Guy) has some advice for her would-be peers:
Chicago rapper Shawnna, who guested on Ludacris’ 2003 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Stand Up” and was a member of his Disturbing Tha Peace clique up until last year, suggested that female MCs try tackling more in-depth subjects. “Fans are tired of hearing rappers talk about being the top chick or the richest rich or the one with the most diamonds,” she said.
