Cardi B
One of the top celebrity stories in September was Cardi B reaching the number 1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 chart. This made her the first female rapper to do so since Lauryn Hill achieved the top spot in 1998. Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” reached the top two of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 2017 before it moved to the top spot at the end of September. She has also made ventures into television and fashion. She appears on the VH1 reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York and she was featured in the Style section of the New York Times in August 2017.
Iggy Azalea
Azalea is an Australian rapper, who moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a career in hip-hop music. Iggy Azalea’s album The New Classic, released in 2014, peaked among the top five of several charts worldwide. Earlier in 2017, the artist released two singles, “Mo Bounce” and “Switch.” She says her love for hip hop began when she heard “Baby Don’t Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)” by Tupac Shakur.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj moved into the public eye after releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009, and then being signed to Young Money Entertainment in 2009. Early in Minaj’s career she was known for her bright colored costumes and wigs. Nicki Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven singles simultaneously charting on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. After making her film debut in 2012, Nicki Minaj has acted in supporting roles The Other Woman and Barbershop: The Next Cut. Her most recent hit was “Swalla,” which she co-wrote with Jason Derulo.
Missy Elliott
Elliot began her music career in the all-female group, Sista. Missy Elliot’s song “Get Ur Freak On” won a Grammy in 2002 for Best Rap Solo Performance. Throughout her career she has achieved many Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Eve
Eve is a rapper and actress from Philadelphia. She was the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002, for her song “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.” The song featured Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and quickly became a pop success. Eve also was a talented singer, as well as rapper. Many of her songs feature her singing.
Lil’ Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones was born in Brooklyn, NY. She spent her teens freestyle rapping, inspired by female hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and The Lady of Rage. When she performed for The Notorious B.I.G. in 1995, her musical career was jump started. Lil’ Kim’s debut album, Hard Core, was released in 1996 and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. She has since released many hit songs, including “Magic Stick,” which features popular rapper 50 Cent.
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is a hip-hop trio consisting of Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper. The group was formed in 1985 as one of the first all-female rap groups. Ten years later, in 1995, the group won a Grammy Award for the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Their most popular songs include “Whatta Man,” “Push It,” and “Let’s Talk About Sex.”
Lauryn Hill
Hill is best known for her work with the Fugees, as well as her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Lauryn Hill’s singing and rapping abilities were highlighted in the Fugees’ songs “Fu-Gee-La” and “Ready or Not,” both released on the group’s album The Score. Cardi B is the first female rapper to reach the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 since Lauryn Hill reached number one in 1998.
M.I.A.
Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam is better known as her stage name, M.I.A. She is the only artist in history to receive nominations for all of the following: an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Brit Award, Mercury Prize and Alternative Turner Prize. M.I.A. is also known for her activism surrounding many social causes. She has provided commentary on the oppression of Sri Lankans Tamils, Palestinians and African Americans. The artist’s song “Paper Planes,” released in 2007, became very popular. “Paper Planes” was featured in T.I. and Jay Z’s “Swagga Like Us,” which likely increased the song’s alreay widespread popularity.
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