Posted on Jul 29, 2022

10 Female Rappers From The '90s That Influenced Black Music But Didn't Get Their Credit

Where's the florist? These women need their flowers.

by Lashaunta Moore

BuzzFeed Contributor

Born in 1966, the Philadelphia native was one of the first female rappers to change the game. Her debut album, Kollage, was released in 1996 and was the first LP to be co-produced and written entirely by a female rapper. Bahamadia is also a singer known for her conscious lyricism and authenticism. She was featured on records by The Roots, Erykah Badu, and more. Her most recent single, "Dialed Up Vol. 2" was released in 2018. — UMG / Via youtube.com

Born in 1966, the Philadelphia native was one of the first female rappers to change the game. Her debut album, Kollage, was released in 1996 and was the first LP to be co-produced and written entirely by a female rapper. Bahamadia is also a singer known for her conscious lyricism and authenticism. She was featured on records by The Roots, Erykah Badu, and more. Her most recent single, "Dialed Up Vol. 2" was released in 2018.

UMG / Via youtube.com

Born in 1966, the Philadelphia native was one of the first female rappers to change the game. Her debut album, Kollage, was released in 1996 and was the first LP to be co-produced and written entirely by a female rapper. Bahamadia is also a singer known for her conscious lyricism and authenticism. She was featured on records by The Roots, Erykah Badu, and more. Her most recent single, "Dialed Up Vol. 2" was released in 2018.

Love is a well-respected DJ-turned-hip-hop artist. The England native repped her roots, becoming the first British female rapper to become two-time Grammy nominated. Her debut album, Down To Earth, spawned the hit single, "Monie in the Middle." The album hit number 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart. — Sony Music Publishing / Via youtube.com

Love is a well-respected DJ-turned-hip-hop artist. The England native repped her roots, becoming the first British female rapper to become two-time Grammy nominated. Her debut album, Down To Earth, spawned the hit single, "Monie in the Middle." The album hit number 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart.

Sony Music Publishing / Via youtube.com

Love is a well-respected DJ-turned-hip-hop artist. The England native repped her roots, becoming the first British female rapper to become two-time Grammy nominated. Her debut album, Down To Earth, spawned the hit single, "Monie in the Middle." The album hit number 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart.

The Grammy-nominated rapper's debut album, Ill Na Na, sold seven million copies worldwide. Brown also made history as the second female rapper to debut at the top of Billboard's 200 Chart with her second album, Chyna Doll. To this day, her style and sound are considered highly influential, many calling her the 'illest ever to do it.' — Foxy Brown / Via youtube.com

The Grammy-nominated rapper's debut album, Ill Na Na, sold seven million copies worldwide. Brown also made history as the second female rapper to debut at the top of Billboard's 200 Chart with her second album, Chyna Doll. To this day, her style and sound are considered highly influential, many calling her the 'illest ever to do it.'

Foxy Brown / Via youtube.com

The Grammy-nominated rapper's debut album, Ill Na Na, sold seven million copies worldwide. Brown also made history as the second female rapper to debut at the top of Billboard's 200 Chart with her second album, Chyna Doll. To this day, her style and sound are considered highly influential, many calling her the 'illest ever to do it.'

The multitalented rapper is known for highlighting female empowerment in her music. A Compton native, Ya-Ya is the protege of Ice Cube and is one of the few female rappers to get into acting successfully. In 1996, she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance Duo or group for "Stomp." — INgrooves / Via youtube.com

The multitalented rapper is known for highlighting female empowerment in her music. A Compton native, Ya-Ya is the protege of Ice Cube and is one of the few female rappers to get into acting successfully. In 1996, she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance Duo or group for "Stomp."

INgrooves / Via youtube.com

The multitalented rapper is known for highlighting female empowerment in her music. A Compton native, Ya-Ya is the protege of Ice Cube and is one of the few female rappers to get into acting successfully. In 1996, she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance Duo or group for "Stomp."

Named one of hip-hop's most skilled female MCs, Rah Digga's success as a member of the Flipmode Squad is incomparable. Even beyond the group, Digga's debut album reached the top 20 of Billboard's 200. She's an actress and worked with Bahamadia on the single "Be Ok" from Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 as the leading ladies. — WMG / Via youtube.com

Named one of hip-hop's most skilled female MCs, Rah Digga's success as a member of the Flipmode Squad is incomparable. Even beyond the group, Digga's debut album reached the top 20 of Billboard's 200. She's an actress and worked with Bahamadia on the single "Be Ok" from Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 as the leading ladies.

WMG / Via youtube.com

Named one of hip-hop's most skilled female MCs, Rah Digga's success as a member of the Flipmode Squad is incomparable. Even beyond the group, Digga's debut album reached the top 20 of Billboard's 200. She's an actress and worked with Bahamadia on the single "Be Ok" from Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 as the leading ladies.

Born in Chicago, Da Brat started her career in 1992 and quickly became a fan favorite after she signed to So So Def Records. Two years later, her debut album, Funkdafied, sold a million copies, making her the first female solo act to receive a platinum certification, the second overall behind Salt-N-Peppa. — So So Def/ Columbia / Via youtube.com

Born in Chicago, Da Brat started her career in 1992 and quickly became a fan favorite after she signed to So So Def Records. Two years later, her debut album, Funkdafied, sold a million copies, making her the first female solo act to receive a platinum certification, the second overall behind Salt-N-Peppa.

So So Def/ Columbia / Via youtube.com

Born in Chicago, Da Brat started her career in 1992 and quickly became a fan favorite after she signed to So So Def Records. Two years later, her debut album, Funkdafied, sold a million copies, making her the first female solo act to receive a platinum certification, the second overall behind Salt-N-Peppa.

Trouble was the first rap artist and female MC to sign with Motown Records. Before her death at 20 years old, she had a minor hit with "I Wanna Make You Mine." The California native peaked at No.15 on Billboard Magazine's Top Rap Chart. Her sound was a mixture of hardcore rap and commercial R&B. — Kontor New Media Music / Via youtube.com

Trouble was the first rap artist and female MC to sign with Motown Records. Before her death at 20 years old, she had a minor hit with "I Wanna Make You Mine." The California native peaked at No.15 on Billboard Magazine's Top Rap Chart. Her sound was a mixture of hardcore rap and commercial R&B.

Kontor New Media Music / Via youtube.com

Trouble was the first rap artist and female MC to sign with Motown Records. Before her death at 20 years old, she had a minor hit with "I Wanna Make You Mine." The California native peaked at No.15 on Billboard Magazine's Top Rap Chart. Her sound was a mixture of hardcore rap and commercial R&B.

Born in South Africa, Grae is one of the few female MCs to achieve international success. She rose to fame during the underground hip-hop scene in New York. Jean Grae was a member of the group Natural Resource, best known for their two vinyl gramophone records. Known for her complex sound, she became a favorite worldwide. — Blacksmith Music/ Warner / Via youtube.com

Born in South Africa, Grae is one of the few female MCs to achieve international success. She rose to fame during the underground hip-hop scene in New York. Jean Grae was a member of the group Natural Resource, best known for their two vinyl gramophone records. Known for her complex sound, she became a favorite worldwide.

Blacksmith Music/ Warner / Via youtube.com

Born in South Africa, Grae is one of the few female MCs to achieve international success. She rose to fame during the underground hip-hop scene in New York. Jean Grae was a member of the group Natural Resource, best known for their two vinyl gramophone records. Known for her complex sound, she became a favorite worldwide.

Known as one of the female rap pioneers, Boo was a member of the group Three 6 Mafia. In 1998, she released her first solo album, Enquiring Minds, which reached the top 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. A single from the album, "Where Dem Dollas At?" quickly became a hit. — Relativity Records / Via youtube.com

Known as one of the female rap pioneers, Boo was a member of the group Three 6 Mafia. In 1998, she released her first solo album, Enquiring Minds, which reached the top 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. A single from the album, "Where Dem Dollas At?" quickly became a hit.

Relativity Records / Via youtube.com

Known as one of the female rap pioneers, Boo was a member of the group Three 6 Mafia. In 1998, she released her first solo album, Enquiring Minds, which reached the top 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. A single from the album, "Where Dem Dollas At?" quickly became a hit.

Although Roxanne Shanté began her dominance in the mid-'80s, she was active until '96. At just 14 years old, Shanté was contracted to pose as the "Roxanne" the group U.T.F.O was referring to in their hit song, "Roxanne, Roxanne." Her song, "Roxanne's Revenge," became an instant hit. She's also credited for popularizing diss tracks. — Livin' Large / Via youtube.com

Although Roxanne Shanté began her dominance in the mid-'80s, she was active until '96. At just 14 years old, Shanté was contracted to pose as the "Roxanne" the group U.T.F.O was referring to in their hit song, "Roxanne, Roxanne." Her song, "Roxanne's Revenge," became an instant hit. She's also credited for popularizing diss tracks.

Livin' Large / Via youtube.com

Although Roxanne Shanté began her dominance in the mid-'80s, she was active until '96. At just 14 years old, Shanté was contracted to pose as the "Roxanne" the group U.T.F.O was referring to in their hit song, "Roxanne, Roxanne." Her song, "Roxanne's Revenge," became an instant hit. She's also credited for popularizing diss tracks.

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