Whenever I participate or listen in on conversations discussing the evolution of hip-hop and its’ impact on the world, very rarely do I hear people bring up how influential women in hip-hop are. Women in rap have always been overlooked. This is so even if they have a better flow, better lyrics, and better production than their male counterparts. Women in hip-hop opened the door for other to women to speak up for what they believe in, they gave us an opportunity to be strong and outspoken, without being afraid of the consequences.
Take MC Lyte as an example, she was the first solo female rapper to release a full album, she wasn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with other rappers and she is the reason why we have rappers like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, City Girls, Saweetie, Kashdoll, Remy Ma, Oshun etc. But I won’t give Ms. Lyte complete credit, because while she was tough, raw and opened countless doors for women who wanted to take the steps to become rappers, she was not the one to open the doors for women to be open and honest about their sexuality. Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Trina are the three women who normalized women making music about securing the bag and finessing men. Without them all of our favorite bops probably would not have been made or released. Listed below is a quick history lesson on these three icons:
Lil Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones aka Lil Kim the ORIGINAL Queen Bee was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, Kim was enrolled in a Catholic School, in an attempt to provide her with the best learning environment. However, her school seemed to be the only place she got stability from. Kims’ family began to fall apart when she was just eight years old, her father started to become physically abusive with her mother and would tell people that “she had fallen”. Not too long after Kim moved away with her mother and brother to New-Rochelle, NY.
Kims’ mother struggled and was unable to provide for her family and ended up granting their father custody of both Kim and her brother. Kim’s relationship with her father continued to crumble and became verbally and physically abusive. Kim left home at 14. She survived by running errands for drug dealers and staying with neighbors or older men who would house and feed her in return for sex. Kim met Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G) when she was 17 years old and was later signed to Bad Boy Entertainment in 1992. In 1995 Junior M.A.F.I.A, where Lil Kim was the only woman in the group, released their debut album ‘Conspiracy’ which featured their number one single ‘Player’s Anthem’, Kims’ infamous introduction to the world.
In 1996 Kim released her debut solo album ‘Hard Core’ which B.I.G produced and featured on four of the songs. Hard Core showcased how raunchy and lyrical Kim really was and the world absolutely loved it. Kim is raw and she is unapologetic, the true Queen Bee.
Foxy Brown
Inga Fung Marchand later self-named Foxy Brown was born on September 6th, 1978. Her mother was a teacher from Trinidad and raised her as a single parent in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Brown started rapping at 14 years old and broke out onto the rap scene just one year later when she performed at a talent show and was approached by the Production Duo Trackmasters (Poke and Tone), who invited her to feature on LL Cool J’s 1995 single ‘I Shot Ya’. This opened the floodgates to success for Brown.
At the beginning of 1996, Brown was being contacted by producers to be featured on songs with some of the top artists at that time. She collaborated with Toni Braxton on ‘You’re Makin’ Me High’ and with Jay-Z for his hit single ‘Ain’t No N*gga’. She did all of this at just 17 years old. Within the same year, Brown was signed to Def Jam. Browns’ debut album ‘Ill Na Na’ was also released in 1996 with most of her project being produced by the Trackmasters Poke and Tone. The album featured Jay-Z, Kid Capri and Method Man. ‘Ill Na Na’ sold over 3 million copies worldwide! The album received mixed reviews from critics due to her lyrical content, but her aggression and creativity were like no other. Not too long after, Brown did another feature with fellow New Yorker, Nas. The two then joined the rap group ‘The Firm’ with rappers, Nature and AZ. The group released an album but it didn’t do as well as they expected. In her prime, Foxy was unstoppable, she helped to normalize female sexuality and aggression and is a true pioneer of hip-hop.
Trina
Katrina Laverne Taylor was born on December 3rd, 1974 in Miami, Florida. Trina had a fairly decent upbringing, her mother owned a salon. For most women, going to our local salons gives us the opportunity to let our hair down, speak our minds and socialize. Trina was allowed to grow in this environment and while Trina lived with her mother, grandmother and three aunts they encouraged her to be her full, unapologetic self. While growing up in the salon Katrina gained the reputation of having a slick mouth and a confidence like no other. Trina was the popular girl around her neighborhood, she was a majorette and was voted best dressed. She was known as the pretty, short-tempered girl who didn’t take disrespect from anyone.
Trina’s life was hit with an unexpected tragedy after high school when her boyfriend was murdered while sitting in a car with his friend. After his death, Trina stayed close to his younger brother Maurice Young and his friend Ted Lucas. Lucas then founded Slip-N-Slide records where Young would become the Labels rambunctious, raw star, Trick Daddy Dollars. When Dollars asked Trina to hop on the infamous ‘Nann N*gga’ he had no idea what was going to happen next. Trina unleashed a raunchy, female dominant verse so powerful that it kicked her and Trick Daddy into an immediate stardom. Once the verse was recorded Lucas immediately started working on a contract and in the blink of an eye, Trina’s iconic rap career had begun. Trina gave a female voice to the Miami sound that had already captivated most of the country, only the men of Miami had the chance to enjoy and profit off of sex through their music, but in just one song Trina showed that women too could live this lifestyle.
The song was a hit as soon as it was released and Trick almost immediately went on tour, bringing Trina with him even though she had no experience in performing. Being on tour, seeing women screaming her lyrics word for word was all the motivation she needed to release her own album. On March 21st, 2000 Trina’s debut album ‘Da Baddest B*tch’ was released. The album reached number 33 on Billboard’s top 200 and 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Trina wanted the world to know that yes, she was a b*tch. The Baddest B*tch. Trina was the breakout star from the south, her southern twang and thick hips set her apart from her peers. Trina is the epitome of Miami’s energy and culture, she will forever be the queen of the South.