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Top 10 Dopest Female Rappers Of All Time

With a new reigning queen of Hip Hop, and several female rappers trying to get back in the game, the debate is on regarding who are the dopest female rappers of all time.

Several big names come to mind when most people think of dope female rappers, these include Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifa among others.

The rap game is dominated by males for decades, but generations of females have made a huge contribution to the genre.

Urban Islandz short list the top 10 female rappers of all time, using available data on album sales, tours, social media influence and lyricism.

See full list from 10 to 1 on next pages.

10. Foxy Brown

Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown burst on the scene in the mid 90’s with a slew of platinum singles including a smash hit featuring LL Cool J called “I Shot Ya.” After working with mega stars such as Jay-Z and Toni Braxton, Brown raunchy, explicit lyrics caught the attention of several major labels and a bidding war ensued. She was eventually signed to Def Jam and release her critically acclaim debut album Ill Na Na. Her success paved the way for several female rappers after her. No surprise she makes the list of top 10 dopest rappers of all time.

9. MC Lyte

MC Lyte is a pioneer for female rappers. Not only did she prove that female rappers could hold their own in Hip Hop, but she was also the first female rapper to release a solo album. Lyte also help boost the career of one of rap music most successful female emcee, Missy Elliot. With her success in pioneering female rap, MC Lyte has secured her spot in Hip Hop history.

8. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes

The late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was the talented rapper in 1990’s Hip Hop/Soul girl group TLC. Left Eye help pushed the group to stardom with four multi-platinum albums and a slew of Top Ten singles. Sadly, Left Eye passed away untimely in a tragic accident in Honduras in 2002. However, her unique flow remains a monument in Hip Hop.

7. Eve

Eve, took the rap world by storm in the late 90’s as the first lady of Ruff Ryders. The Philadelphia born rapper saw huge success with her debut album Let There be Eve…Ruff Ryders First Lady. The album is the first by a female rapper to debut at number 1 on the Billboard hot 200 charts, selling 213,000 copies in its first week of release. Eve’s debut went on to be certified double platinum, selling more than 2 million copies. She also achieved major international success with her hit single “Who’s That Girl” and won a Grammy for her collaborative single “Let Me Blow Your Mind” featuring Gwen Stefani.

6. Lil Kim

New York rapper Lil Kim made her rap debut in the 90’s as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., appearing on the group’s debut album Conspiracy. Rap legend Biggie Small is credited for the success of Kim’s solo career. She earned major success with her album Hard Core going certified double platinum and The Notorious K.I.M. as well as La Bella Mafia both were officially certified platinum. Her success earned her the nickname “Queen Bee.”

5. Missy Elliot

Missy Elliott’s lyrical mastery brought her huge commercial success, propelling her to the top of female rap. Missy is the first and only female rapper to have 6 certified platinum albums. Missy is best known for her eye catching music videos that sets her apart from the crowd. She is one of few female musicians who write, produce and perform her own music. Missy Elliot have 5 Grammy awards under her belt. Though she has been missing from the scene for a while, Elliot recently hinted at a major comeback album.

4. Salt-n-Pepa

Salt-n-Pepa is among the most successful female rap group of all time, with over 15 million albums and singles sold worldwide. Their single “Push It” skyrocketed them into mainstream success and paved the way for them to win their first Grammy. Since their debut in the 80’s Salt-n-Pepa success has not been surpassed by any other female rap group in history.

3. Queen Latifa

Queen Latifa is the only female rapper with awards and accolades spanning music, film and television. Latifa empowered not only female rappers, but all female with her socially and politically concious lyrics. She came on the scene in the late 80’s with a different perspective as a female rapper. No wonder she go down in Hip Hop history as one of the greatest of all time.

2. Nicki Minaj

Not since Lauryn Hill in the late 90’s has a female rapper garners so much international attention. With Lil Wayne as her mentor, Nicki Minaj achieved as much success as several artists over their entire career, while still at the beginning of her own career. The Trinidad born rapper is the first female artist to have 7 singles at the same time on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Minaj debut album Pink Friday, release in November 2010, debut at top of the Billboard Hot 200 charts, selling 375,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified platinum in its first month of release. Minaj have since broken several records as a solo female rap artist. Her unique lightening fast flow and her ability to sing, help secured her place as one of Hip Hop’s all time talented rappers. No surprise she is the second dopest female rapper of all time.

1. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill burst on the scene in the 90’s as part of Hip Hop group Fugees, but later achieved massive commercial success with the release of her debut solo album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album moved over 422,000 in its first week and went on to certified 8X platinum in the United States alone. Miseducation of Lauryn Hill earned her 10 Grammy nominations, but she only walked away with 5 that night. In a world where sex sells, Lauryn proved that her brand of empowering and soulful music is everlasting. Hill’s ability to sing and rap helped cemented her place as the dopest female rapper of all time.

Lets us know what you think in comments section below.

54 Comments

  1. Bahamadia and Jean grae should be on this list. wtf

  2. Tahliel YesIrap Hawthorne

    No Trina?

  3. LAURYN IS RIGHT ABOVE IT ALL! KNOW THIS

  4. Fuc Ya Feelins

    LAURYN IS RIGHT ABOVE IT ALL.

  5. I love Lauryn Hill she has been my biggest inspiration since day 1 she is authentic and always inspires women and people through her music that’s the real hip hop I grew up off of and miss it to this day MC Lyte, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah that was how my sister and I started flowing back in the day now days hip hop is not hip hop it’s pop which is ok to do pop music but the original hip hop dna is not there anymore everything is commercial and it’s just for show and tell but it’s great for all the females that have made a mark on the map because it’s difficult to get there and the way the industry is now days I would never want to be apart of all of that.

  6. I love Lauryn Hill she has been my biggest inspiration since day 1 she is authentic and always inspires women and people through her music that’s the real hip hop I grew up off of and miss it to this day MC Lyte, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah that was how my sister and I started flowing back in the day now days hip hop is not hip hop it’s pop which is ok to do pop music but the original hip hop dna is not there anymore everything is commercial and it’s just for show and tell but it’s great for all the females that have made a mark on the map because it’s difficult to get there and the way the industry is now days I would never want to be apart of all of that.

  7. Thabo MrTeazmanium Gass

    Nicki Minaj is not rapper she’s just a female wizzzy.

  8. This is idiotic. Half of these chicks are garbage. Nikki Minaj #2? And Ladybug Mecca should be number 1!

  9. I just came to check in see if yall would be foolish enough to put Lauryn Hill behind Nicki…

  10. Where TF is Rah Diggah?

  11. Marquette Mcneal

    I don’t normally comment on sh! t like this, but I just had to give propz to MIA X. I just think she’d run circles on most of these rappers these days. Oh that’s right yall said Rappers, not lyricists.
    But, On this list, I got the most respect for MC Lyte, Lil Kim, Missy, Lauren Hill.

  12. Whoever came up with this list should be fired because you’re probably someones make-up artist. Here is the REAL list or close to it. Watch and learn: 1. Lauryn Hill. the rest is a toss-up. 2. Queen Latifah. 3. Rah Digga 4. MC Lyte. 5. Bahamadia. 6. Nikki Minaj 7. Foxy Brown. 8. Lady of Rage. 9. Boss.(you forgot about her) 10. Lil Kim.

  13. Whoever said Lauryn Hill can’t rap is either deaf or has no idea what the art of “rapping” is or at least, use to be. Why is Minaj before Lauryn in this category? Even Nicki knows Lauryn Hill is the illest! No, Lauryn Hill is not just a rapper. She is an Emcee. And all rappers, can’t emcee. Her being called a simple rapper is an insult! This list was compiled by someone clearly out of touch with REAL hip hop music and thinks Taylor Swift is a rapper. Why is lil kim (intentionally lower cased) 3rd? Are you kidding? You suck!

  14. Whoever said Lauryn Hill can’t rap is either deaf or has no idea what the art of “rapping” is or at least, use to be. Why is Minaj before Lauryn in this category? Even Nicki knows Lauryn Hill is the illest! No, Lauryn Hill is not just a rapper. She is an Emcee. And all rappers, can’t emcee. Her being called a simple rapper is an insult! This list was compiled by someone clearly out of touch with REAL hip hop music and thinks Taylor Swift is a rapper. Why is lil kim (intentionally lower cased) 3rd? Are you kidding? You suck!

  15. Whoever said Lauryn Hill can’t rap is either deaf or has no idea what the art of “rapping” is or at least, use to be. Why is Minaj before Lauryn in this category? Even Nicki knows Lauryn Hill is the illest! No, Lauryn Hill is not just a rapper. She is an Emcee. And all rappers, can’t emcee. Her being called a simple rapper is an insult! This list was compiled by someone clearly out of touch with REAL hip hop music and thinks Taylor Swift is a rapper. Why is lil kim (intentionally lower cased) 3rd? Are you kidding? You suck!

  16. Yall gay for not saying JEAN GRAE.

  17. Mc lyte should be number 2, this list is a disgrace to have minaj on it.

  18. Mc lyte should be number 2, this list is a disgrace to have minaj on it.

  19. Nicki Minaj # 2? HELL NAW GET THE f–k OUT HERE NOT EVEN IN THE TOP 5.

  20. Like I said, I bought, listened and loved the album. The misselling of her name is just a spell check thing. Again, have you checked shawnna! on RPM. We can always agree to disagree.

  21. Like I said, I bought, listened and loved the album. The misselling of her name is just a spell check thing. Again, have you checked shawnna! on RPM. We can always agree to disagree.

  22. Nicki Minaj ain’t even a rapper, she has no link with hip hop. Learn your hip hop before talking sh-t… It’s about talent, about lyrics, style, flow, attitude not about how many sh-t you sell… Most of the people today are brainwashed listening to this sh-tty music on TV and radio. I would better let my kids watch porn all day than listen to that Nicky Minaj crap.

  23. Nicki Minaj fake rap music marketing GARBAGE LYRICAL TOP 2 TOP 10 neverrr.

  24. Nicki Minaj top 2 you are crazy nick = rest of nowhere comeracial music, lyrical theme trash

  25. ITS LAUYRN AND WHAT DO U DEFINE AS A REAL RAPPER BECAUSE SHE IS AS REAL AS THEY COME SHE CAN DO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THAT’s WHY SHE IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST…..IM JUST SAYING.

  26. ITS LAUYRN AND WHAT DO U DEFINE AS A REAL RAPPER BECAUSE SHE IS AS REAL AS THEY COME SHE CAN DO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THAT’s WHY SHE IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST…..IM JUST SAYING.

  27. Nicki who? Miss Jenny come lately! Who the hell compiled this list? Obviously not a true hip hop fan.

  28. Nicki who? Miss Jenny come lately! Who the hell compiled this list? Obviously not a true hip hop fan.

  29. Nicki who? Miss Jenny come lately! Who the hell compiled this list? Obviously not a true hip hop fan.

  30. I think Remy Ma, Jackie-O, Amil, 3D-Na’tee, Ebony Eyes, and HWA deserve honorable mention. Kreayshawn is on some new sh*t that will turn the industry on its head.

  31. I think Remy Ma, Jackie-O, Amil, 3D-Na’tee, Ebony Eyes, and HWA deserve honorable mention. Kreayshawn is on some new sh*t that will turn the industry on its head.

    • I agree with their number one pick at least. Lauryn is on my top five list of dopest RAPPERS of all-time (male or female) bar none. In fact, top three. I refer anyone who questions this to her verse in Manifest on The Score and a large percentage of The Miseducation as my exhibits of proof. I rest my case on those but there are many more.

  32. and if yall really want to put sh-t on tha line check out nicki minaj song called who’s ya best MC and tha real p[oint of this whole discussion is to see which female went out with a bang real talk.

  33. and if yall really want to put sh-t on tha line check out nicki minaj song called who’s ya best MC and tha real p[oint of this whole discussion is to see which female went out with a bang real talk.

  34. And where if Rah Digga!! – When a woman comes hard as a man – there’s always an issue. Even if you didn’t put Shawnn up there – Eve (pit bull in a skirt) should have been #1.

  35. And where if Rah Digga!! – When a woman comes hard as a man – there’s always an issue. Even if you didn’t put Shawnn up there – Eve (pit bull in a skirt) should have been #1.

  36. Check Shawnna on RPM then tell me which other female rapper can come harder.

  37. Check Shawnna on RPM then tell me which other female rapper can come harder.

  38. sh-tted fucc shawnna corection missy elliot did it big and my baby Nicki M. THANX

  39. sh-tted fucc shawnna corection missy elliot did it big and my baby Nicki M. THANX

  40. Who the hell compiled that list – its a complete fake – Lauren hill isn’t even a real rapper. Shaunna is the only true spitter.

    • Aye, Shawnna IS ill but she ain’t gettin Lauryn sista. Like most music enthusiast/artists, Im going to join them in disagreeing with you. Just because you can spit fast doesn’t mean you are more talented. All emcees can rap but all rappers CANNOT emcee!

    • Aye, Shawnna IS ill but she ain’t gettin Lauryn sista. Like most music enthusiast/artists, Im going to join them in disagreeing with you. Just because you can spit fast doesn’t mean you are more talented. All emcees can rap but all rappers CANNOT emcee!

  41. Who the hell compiled that list – its a complete fake – Lauren hill isn’t even a real rapper. Shaunna is the only true spitter.

    • DID U HEAR LAURENS ALBUM OR JUST HEAR HER RHYME?

    • Heard it loved it, actually bought it. She is still not the #1 female rapper

    • If you say Lauryn Hill (not Lauren) is not a real rapper, you know nothing about hip hop. Just seeing you writing her name wrong makes me believe you lied saying you bought her album. She is 100% a real rapper and not just a rapper. She is no1 best female rapper of all times followed by Roxanne Shante and MC Lyte. She can rap and sing. That woman has so much talent, I believe no other female MC will touch her for a long long time.