This week, Nicki Minaj acknowledged her bisexuality in Details magazine. As the hottest new MC on the rise, it’s inevitable that there’s going to be the excitement that she’s a female. There’s no doubt that women in hip-hop experience gender bias and discrimination, but when talented lyricists like Nicki Minaj are successful on the charts and with a wide array of fans, it’s proof that they can be just as respected as their male counterparts and should get just as much play time. Nicki’s being bisexual is just icing on the cake.
So it only felt right that this week’s huddle pay homage to our favorite female MCs. The good news is was so hard to choose just one. The sad news is that so many of them are underestimated and under-appreciated by the game at large. Ladies, let it be known we salute you.
Karman Kregloe: Missy Elliott, for the following reasons:
1.) Her music is fun, funny, inventive, and completely unique 2.) She has referred to herself as “Misdemeanor” 3.) She’s not afraid to rock a Hefty bag as a legitimate costume (see the video for “The Rain“) 4.) When she was asked in an interview about the change of diet and lifestyle that resulted in her dramatic weight loss, she explained her healthy new regimen and then added “But I could still f–k up a Twinkie.”Drummerdeeds: M.I.A. because thank goodness for some South Asian street cred! Whether or not I agree with her personal jabs at Lady Gaga from the other week, the woman is not afraid to be bold, make amazingly socially conscious music, and reduce me to a blubbering mess when she performs live. Alley Hector: Eve because her vocals are awesome, she used the name “Ruff Riders” for her crew and she’s not afraid to play gay. Lesley Goldberg: Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (of TLC). Why? A career cut short after a fatal car crash in Honduras in 2002 was marked by lyrics calling for social change, safe sex and sexual freedom via songs like “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” and later “Waterfalls.” RIP. Dorothy Snarker: Queen Latifah. Why? Because she is The Queen, it’s right there in her name. Also “U.N.I.T.Y.” is still one of my favorite rap songs of all time. And she is exceptionally nice to her personal trainer. Hornito: My favorite female MC would have to be Da Brat for many reasons. The first, is that I saw her in concert when she opened up for Kris Kross (my favorites back in the day). I basically wanted to be Da Brat when I was 13 years old and emulated her style and swagger. I probably shouldn’t admit this here, but I used to have “Hip Hop” shaved into the back of my head. I was straight up hood yo. Fast forward a bunch of years and now I love Da Brat because she has appeared on not one but two of my favorite reality shows: The Surreal Life and Celebrity Fit Club. Also, her jam with Tyrese “What’chu Like” was the jam!
Grace Chu: When I need a rush of extra confidence or adrenaline, I’ll listen to the oldie but goodie: “Afro Puffs” by The Lady of Rage. Lady Sovereign‘s “Random” always puts me in a good mood. And if you want to hear an overall excellent lady MC &Mdash; Jean Grae. If you haven’t heard of her, download “My Crew” and “Keep Livin’” and you’ll be hooked. Trish Bendix: My new favorite MCs are Thee Satisfaction out of Seattle. They are going to blow up big time, I’m telling you. They are two queer black females named Stas and Cat that have some serious talent and, akin to Nicki Minaj, make rap music fun. Check out their song “Bisexual” and you will see what I mean. OK team, we’re ready to hear your picks. Break!
