00:00 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and we're celebrating the women who changed the genre.
00:05 It used to be dominated by men, but not anymore.
00:08 Women have broken down hip-hop barriers and paved the way for the superstars of today.
00:13 But who are the female trailblazers? Who's taking over now? And how has the genre evolved?
00:18 This is Billboard Explains, The Women of Hip-Hop.
00:21 DJ Kool Herc is officially credited for starting the hip-hop movement at a birthday party in the Bronx in 1973.
00:28 But did you know that a woman played a huge role in those early years?
00:32 Sylvia Robinson created Sugarhill Gang, whose 1980s track "Rapper's Delight" was the first Top 40 rap hit on Hot 100.
00:41 [Rapping]
00:49 As for the first female rapper, we need to give credit to MC Shaarok, hip-hop's first female MC.
00:55 She started off as a member of the hip-hop crew Funky 4+1.
00:59 Her style of delivering raps on mixtapes influenced female rappers to come.
01:03 Then there was Roxanne Shante and MC Lyte, who really made a name for themselves early on as well.
01:08 But the biggest growth happened throughout the 80s and 90s as more female rappers battled their way to the top,
01:14 including Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa.
01:16 Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown embraced their sexuality on their terms, while Missy Elliott created some of the most innovative music videos of the decade.
01:25 All while rocking a unique style.
01:27 It took years, but it's just that time.
01:30 They not gonna be held back.
01:33 Fast forward to today and the women of the genre are proving that now is the best time to be a woman in hip-hop.
01:39 Artists like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion are topping the Billboard charts, winning Grammys and landing business deals,
01:47 despite all the barriers.
01:49 Y'all need to put some respect on these female rappers' names.
01:52 Absolutely.
01:52 I will say that.
01:54 And female rappers have evolved within the genre too, with rappers today embracing sisterhood by working together and supporting each other more than ever before.
02:02 We have our own fan bases. We have our own messages.
02:05 We have, you know, our own shows, our own everything. And so I don't really see any of this as a competition.
02:11 Everybody just like has their own store.
02:13 Women are taking control of their narratives,
02:16 while also giving props to those who paved the way. Like Lizzo collaborating with Missy Elliott,
02:21 Ice Spice teaming up with Nicki Minaj, or Lotto and Sweetie working with Trina for the 2020 track "Bitch From Da South."
02:28 Who knows where the genre will go in the next 50 years, but overall the future is bright for women in hip-hop.
02:34 pop.
02:35 (upbeat music)
02:37 (whooshing)
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