AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
CARDI B, Megan Thee Stallion and Flo Milli are just a fraction of the names that come to one’s mind when they think of women rappers.
The world of hip-hop has been rocked sideways by the growing number of women rappers skyrocketing to the top of music charts, excelling as on-stage performers, and walking away with hip-hop’s coveted awards like Best Rap Artist or Best Rap Album at award ceremonies.
There has also been more visibility in the production and acknowledgement of women in the industry, both on stage and behind the scenes.
So many of those in the hip-hop fraternity (as it has always been male-dominated) began to sing the achievements of their fellow rappers much louder, with the likes of Cassper Nyovest signing Nadia Nakai to his label, or Megan Thee Stallion sharing bars with Wale.
Even though the hip-hop genre may never be equal in benefits and privilege for women as it for men currently, the work being done is starting to elevate and respectfully elevate and promote the rhythmic bars of our femcees.
The number of African women rappers has also grown considerably in the last decade, with these young women picking up microphones; following in the steps of the US’ Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj, and continental stars like Thembi Seete and Muthoni Ndonga.
Here are some of the femcees to consider to your hip-hop playlist:
ASHLEY – GUINEA
Guinean rapper Ashley is a woman with brash lyrics on gender equality, dismantling the stereotypes surrounding women, and rapping against gender-based violence and discrimination.
IVORIAN DOLL – ENGLAND
Drill rapper Ivorian Doll is an artist to reckon with, taking no punches lying down while she claims her place among some of the UK’s rising drill talents.
Some of the Ivorian descent’s biggest hits include the attitude-drenched ‘Rumours’, ‘Body Bag’ and ‘Clout’.
NADIA NAKAI – SOUTH AFRICA
She goes by the name Bragga, and commands attention not only on stage but when she enters the room with her large personality. Nadia Nakai is a Zimbabwean-South African whose bars caught noy only the attention of multi-award winning rapper Cassper Nyovest, but also the attention of Def Jam Africa for a publishing deal.
Nakai released her debut album Nadia Naked to wide acclaim, that she gave her fans more with a deluxe edition that includes tracks featuring UK femcee Stefflon Don and US rapper Vic Mensa.
KEKO – UGANDA
Keko is a commanding rapper whose words can be both thought-provoking and entertaining.
One of Keko’s best moments include her feature on ‘Fallen Heroes’, with fellow Ugandan rappers Don MC, Davis, SP Omugunjule and the Mwamba Children’s Choir.
SOULTANA – MOROCCO
“She gave him money, love and life, he gave her lies and violence. This is the Moroccan woman. This is one of a million.”
Those are the memorable bars of Moroccan rapper Soultana, one of North Africa’s most successful women rappers. Born Youssra Oukaf, Soultana has no fear in calling out Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, as well the society of men that have perpetuated gender equality and violence towards women.
‘Sawt Nssa’ is Soultana’s biggest hit to date, and it is a scathing critique of the treatment of women in Moroccan society, a worthy anthem to add to your playlist.
