I know we all miss Lauryn but somebody’s gotta say it. Before you flood the comments on this site calling me a “hater” among other names hear me out. I’m not taking anything away from Nicki Minaj. She should at least get props for reigniting an interest in female rappers. She’s gorgeous and her flow and delivery is top notch. But she isn’t saying a damn thing worth listening to. You mean to tell me the best she can come up with is “Cause I’m a ninja, kick it Cowabunga time?” Seriously.
I’m not saying she isn’t entertaining. Because she is. But we’ve seen this all before. Everything Nicki Minaj is doing Lil’ Kim has done twice. Colored wigs, Lil’ Kim did it first. Sex sells, yeah Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown did it better. Even the biggest Nicki Minaj stan can’t see her for nothing more than a rerun of a show we’ve seen time after time. If you’re looking for an alternative to female rap’s “savior” here’s seven female rappers better than Nicki Minaj. And no Keys isn’t one of them.
1. Jean Grae
Jean Grae is lyrically the closet thing we have to Lauryn Hill. On the microphone Jean Grae would eat Nicki, no pun intended. Smart, sassy and lyrically devastating, Jean can’t be touched.
MP3: Jean Grae – Don’t Rush Me (Right Click + Save Target As)
2. Shawnna
I’ve always loved Shawnna. She’s street but lyrically on point. With a new deal with T-Pain’s Nappy Boy label hopefully she’ll pop like a hit record. One thing is for sure, she still has it regardless.
MP3: Shawnna – Nappy Boys (Right Click + Save Target As)
3. Amanda Blank
There’s nothing wrong with selling sex. If you got it, flaunt it. Every female rappers has spit at least a line or two about sexuality. It’s that power of women. But if that’s all you’re gonna be about at least be lyrically good. Amanda Blank does what Nicki does with loads more creativity.
MP3: Amanda Blank – Lemme Get Some (Right Click + Save Target As)
4. Tiye Phoenix
I feel bad that I just got into Tiye Phoenix. She reminds me a bit of MC Lyte. This is an emcee who eats mics for fun.
MP3: Tiye Phoenix – Killin Everybody (Right Click + Save Target As)
5. Rah Digga
Everybody knows Digga demolishes tracks with a husky voice that makes male rappers get a little nervous at the start her bars.
MP3: Rah Digga- Warning Shots (Right Click + Save Target As)
6. Ms. Jade
Ms. Jade hasn’t disappeared completely. Her work on projects like Amon Tobin’s Two Fingers album has kept her name bubbling with indie crowds. One thing hasn’t changed: she still spits.
MP3: Ms. Jade – Boom Boom Tap (Right Click + Save Target As)
7. Corinne Stevie
Corinne Stevie has been putting in work in the underground Atlanta scene for a minute. While other chicks play off raw sex, Corinne plays off her raw skills.
MP3: Corinne Stevie – Grace Jones (Right Click + Save Target As)
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GREATeclectic aka Kendrick Daye is a DJ, artist and the Editor of Art Nouveau Magazine. As a freelance journalist and photographer his work has been featured in the NY Times Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Creative Loafing, Honeymag.com & Yo-Raps.com.
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I JUST MISS LAURYN…
Finally…. Somebody had to say it
Great Post!>
don’t be self righetous man! & shawnna sound jsut like nicki. dont hate her
Every body got opinions
save it!
Haha! Thanks for keeping it real, man and the other rappers you thought of are very valid… Off with her head!
she just keep coming (cumming) off the top (dick) as best as [asbestos] (drake)
I agree, I think there is a lack of originality among female artists in general, but there are only so much you can do before people start pointing fingers, either your a sex kitten, hard core, or commercialized all of which have been done by many.
Lauryn
Lyte
Latifah
Kim
Foxxy
would probably agree with 4 names but yeah what about MISS LAURYN…..also don’t sleep on the European rappers to many to mention check out http://www.myspace.com/poeticpilgrimage
I didn’t feel a need to list Lil Kim, Foxy, Lauryn or Missy because for one they’re seasoned and obviously on another level than Nicki Minaj. This is more about female rappers on the come up.
I REP TRINA ALL DA WAY GIVE IT UP FO DA 305.ITS ALL BOUT DAT………………….
I agree with Amanda Blank, I think she would make Nicki cry in a corner. Amanda’s flow is so sick. What’s cooler is she rhymes without repeating herself.
Nicki, cigarette doesn’t rhyme with cigarette, and it won’t rhyme a third time.
You forgot Invincible Detroit!!