Female Rappers

Rocky Badd Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rapper Worth?

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The music industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving space, with artists emerging and making their mark every day. One such artist who has been creating waves in the rap scene is Rocky Badd. As of 2023, Rocky Badd’s net worth is estimated to be around $150,000 US Dollars, according to Idol Net Worth. But what factors have contributed to this valuation, and how has Rocky’s journey in the music industry been so far? Let’s delve deeper.

The Rise Of Rocky Badd

Rocky’s journey in the music industry is nothing short of inspiring. Starting from humble beginnings, she has managed to carve a niche in the competitive rap world. Her unique voice, coupled with her powerful lyrics, has resonated with fans across the globe. This has earned her a loyal fanbase and significant revenue from music sales, concerts, and endorsements.

Factors Contributing To Her Net Worth

Several factors have played a pivotal role in determining Rocky Badd’s net worth:

  1. Music Sales: As with most artists, a significant portion of Rocky’s earnings comes from her music sales. With streaming platforms becoming increasingly popular, artists like Rocky Badd have found a new revenue stream that contributes significantly to their overall net worth.
  2. Concerts and Tours: Live performances are a major revenue generator for artists. Rocky Badd, with her electrifying stage presence, has managed to pull large crowds, leading to substantial earnings from ticket sales.
  3. Endorsements: With fame comes brand endorsements. Rocky, with her growing popularity, has been the face of several brands, adding to her income.
  4. Merchandise: Merchandising is another avenue that has contributed to Rocky Badd’s net worth. Fans buying merchandise like T-shirts, hats, and posters add to an artist’s earnings.

The Future Prospects For Rocky Badd

While Rocky Badd’s current net worth stands at an impressive $150,000, this talented artist’s future looks even brighter. With her consistent growth in the music industry and her expanding fanbase, it wouldn’t be a surprise if her net worth saw a significant jump in the coming years.

Rocky Badd’s journey in the music industry serves as an inspiration for many budding artists. Her net worth of $150,000 in 2023 is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. As she continues to produce hit after hit and expand her horizons, there’s no doubt that Rocky Badd’s net worth will see an upward trajectory in the years to come.

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MC Lyte’s “Eyes On This” LP Turns 34

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As far as pioneering female rappers go, MC Lyte is beyond untouchable. She was the first woman in rap to release a studio album, paving the way for everyone else after her. Breaking onto the scene at 16, her talent was undeniable from her debut album. However, she kept the ball rolling with her sophomore project, Eyes on This.

Since Hip Hop was birthed 50 years ago, several exceptional artists have come and gone. Nonetheless, MC Lyte is etched in the genre’s history permanently.  She has significantly contributed to the untouchable legacy of Hip Hop with her impressive discography. Eyes on This is now a 34-year-old album worthy of all the praise it has received over the years. After the success of her debut album, MC Lyte proved that she was no one-hit wonder.

The Road To Sophomore Success

In 1988, at 17, MC Lyte released her debut album Lyte as a Rock. It was a critical and commercial success, featuring hit tracks like “Paper Thin” and “10% Dis.” The album established Lyte as a prominent voice in the male-dominated Hip Hop scene. Due to the success of her debut album, there was a lot at stake for the rapper. Understandably, she had something to prove with her follow-up. This was especially important because it was set to arrive at a time when Hip Hop was beginning to gain significant mainstream attention. 

Additionally, the genre diversified in styles and voices; she was already a unique figure. All things considered, MC Lyte had to put out an album good enough to arrest people’s attention. She took on the challenge, releasing Eyes on This on October 3, 1989, just a year after her debut. The project accomplished its main goal, further solidifying MC Lyte’s position as one of the leading voices in Hip Hop.

MC Lyte’s Artistic Evolution

Eyes on This represented a maturing of MC Lyte’s style. Her lyricism became sharper, and she tackled more topics than she had in her previous album. On songs like “Cappuccino,” “Not With a Dealer,” and “Please Understand,” she addressed issues like sexism, gun violence and empowerment. Furthermore, the album displayed her growing versatility as a rapper. It especially demonstrated her ability to balance party anthems like “Slave to the Rhythm” with socially conscious tracks.

The Innovative Approach To Eyes on This

Eyes on This was created when sampling was prevalent in Hip Hop production. The album’s production was handled by a handful of prominent producers, including Audio Two, Marley Marl, and PMD among others. They utilized samples from various genres, creating a diverse musical backdrop for MC Lyte to express her creativity. All 13 tracks on Eyes on This contain samples, some more than others. “Shut the Eff Up! (Hoe),” however, has the most samples on the album. The track borrows from eight different songs, and three of them were songs by MC Lyte herself.

A Second Win For MC Lyte

Upon its release, Eyes on This was lauded for its lyrical content, delivery, and production. Critics praised MC Lyte’s confidence and the album’s ability to address societal issues with intelligence and wit. The album also had a relatively successful commercial run. However, most notably, it was the first solo album by a female rapper to appear on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at number 86. Its three singles, “Cha Cha Cha,” “Stop, Look, Listen,” and “Cappucino,” also performed moderately on the charts. All three songs peaked within the top 10 of the Hot Rap Songs chart. However, only “Cha Cha Cha” managed to reach the top spot on that chart. 

The Album’s Legacy

Eyes on This is one of MC Lyte’s primary works that influenced subsequent generations of female rappers, including Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliot, and Eve. It showed that women could excel in a male-dominated industry, particularly the second time. In summary, Eyes on This continues to be celebrated as a classic album in the Hip Hop industry. The rapper had grown in confidence, skill, and tenacity in just one year. 

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Doja Cat Shatters Spotify’s Records History With This New Achievement

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With this year’s run of new singles, the most recent of which (“Balut“) arrived this week, Doja Cat is on fire. Moreover, the Los Angeles artist built up a lot of steam with impressive rap performances, ethereal instrumentals, and a lot of social media promotion and hype. Now, we have a newly broken all-time Spotify record to represent her dominance and success in this new era of her career. The 27-year-old now has the most monthly listeners out of any female rapper in history with over 65.7 million. For those curious, the next MC in line is Nicki Minaj, who has about 61.6 million monthly Spotify listeners as of writing this article.

Fans likely remember that the Queen’s remix of Doja Cat’s “Say So” shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. That was their first No. 1 single individually, and the “Attention” rapper nabbed another one this year with “Paint The Town Red.” In fact, it was the first rap song to claim the highest spot on those charts in over a year. As if this story wasn’t already tightly woven enough, the last rap song to have done so was Nicki’s own “Super Freaky Girl.”

Read More: Doja Cat Shares NSFW Photo Dump To Celebrate Her First Ever Number One Solo Hit

Doja Cat Breaks Records Once Again

Furthermore, all this success and acclaim is leading up to Doja Cat’s next album, Scarlet, which die-hards have been waiting patiently for over a long period of time. However, that’s not to say that it’s all been peaches and cream when it comes to her fanbase and this album rollout. The Planet Her hitmaker lost a lot of fans with her public statements, such as speaking negatively on superfans, dismissing her past catalog, and her rumored relationship with controversial figure J. Cyrus. With these new singles, though, she proved that all of that can become moot if you continue to back it up with great art.

Still, we’ll see if that persists as a narrative leading up to Scarlet or if her extracurriculars catch up to her. It’s been a very interesting back-and-forth to witness, especially considering that these new singles are quite the sonic shift from past albums. As chaotic as media coverage around her has been as of late, nothing is quite as important as the music. The numbers come after, and they give credence to her evolution. With that in mind, log back into HNHH for the latest updates and news on Doja Cat.

Read More: Doja Cat Sets The Stage For “Scarlet” With 2023 VMAs Performance: Watch

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Cardi B Thinks People Get Backlash For Liking Her, Speaks On Female Collabs

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Cardi B’s on a wild press run right now for her new single with Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos.” Moreover, during a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, she spoke to the co-hosts about her haters and how people seem to get blasted online just for liking her. “Yeah, yeah,” the Bronx MC answered Charlamagne Tha God’s question on whether she reads hateful comments. “You gotta also know what people like, though. You know what? I be feeling like a lot of people hate to admit that they like me. A lot of people are afraid to say that they like me. When people say that they like me, they get attacked. Or if they take my side on anything. So I have to accept that.

“There’s even people that I’ve seen comment nasty s**t about me,” Cardi B continued. “Some of my friends have pressed them about them. ‘Why you be going so hard on my girl?’ ‘I don’t know, I really do like her, though.’ It’s like, ‘B***h!’ Like, matter of fact, I’ma give you an example, right? There’s a b***h, right, I don’t even f***ing know her, but one of my friends knows her. ‘Yo, why this girl got so much issues with you?’ She got so much s**t to say about me, but she always copying my birthday looks! I mean, she does the s***ty version, but it’s like… How you don’t like me? You like me. I feel like I’m already getting over that [mental] hurdle. As long as motherf***ers don’t lie on me, it’s okay.”

Read More: Cardi B Keeps Her Cool When Charlamagne Suggests Her Sophomore Album Is Unnecessary: Watch

Cardi B On The Breakfast Club: Haters & Fake Haters

In another interview, the 30-year-old spoke on collaborating with other female artists in the game and their idiosyncrasy, shouting out many femcees in the process. “A lot of people be, like, thinking that I be collaborating with the girls and everything ’cause ‘Oh, you’re such a girl’s girl,’” Cardi B explained. “‘What makes you want to be a girl’s girl?’ It’s not that I’m a girl’s girl, I’m just a girl. I’m clearly going to gravitate more to girls’ music. So when I do a song with these girls, it’s because I really like y’all songs. If I like your music and I like your sound, let’s do something together. Why the f**k not?

Bardi Praises The Diversity In Female Hip-Hop Right Now

“If I like your s**t, I wanna work with you if I could fit in your sound,” she continued. “All the girls right now, I feel like nobody sounds like each other right now. And that’s the good thing about it. I feel like there’s not somebody that sounds like Megan, Latto, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Ice Spice. We have our own different style and, yeah, why not?” On that note, stay logged into HNHH for the latest news and updates on Cardi B.

Read More: Cardi B Doesn’t Feel Sorry For “Fan” She Hit With Microphone

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Rubi Rose: The Rising Star Making Waves In Rap

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At 25, Rubi Rose is many things to her wide and diverse fanbase. She’s a rapper, a video model, an influencer, and a businesswoman. A whirlwind of talent has marked her rise to fame over the years. Backed by her determination, Rubi Rose has fought not just to get her name out there but to ensure the world notices her versatility.

Today, putting an artist like Rubi Rose into a box is hard. She’s also adamant about not being referred to as “just a pretty face.” Her music packs a punch and showcases her tough and feminist persona, but her delivery on the mic makes her a truly special breed. It also earned her a spot on XXL’s 2021 Freshman Class list.

Early Days 

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 06: Rapper Rubi Rose is seen backstage during night one of the Strength of A Woman Festival & Summit Gen Z concert at the Tabernacle on May 06, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit)

Rubi was born Rubi Rose Benton in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 2, 1997. She is a first-generation Eritrean and has two sisters. The rapper was very involved in sports growing up and was a cheerleader and a track star. She moved to Atlanta with her mother and sisters when she was still in high school. She studied political science at Georgia State University.

While speaking with Nylon, Rubi Rose revealed that it was the move to the ATL that ignited the musical bug in her. “After I moved to Atlanta is when I tapped into doing music. I came to ATL my junior year of high school. It was a really big culture shock, but I loved it,” she said. “I love the culture. I loved my people: our food, our music, our aesthetic, everything. So it was a pretty easy and natural switch. Super welcoming.”

Musical Breakthrough 

On October 31 in 2016, Migos released the music video for their acclaimed single, “Bad and Boujee.” Rubi Rose starred as the main model in the video, instantly shooting her to fame. After an additional year and a half of modeling, Rubi Rose began to release her own music. Later, in 2019, her single “Big Mouth” became a hit, which led to her signing with L.A. Reid’s HitCo label. Her star continued to rise following a cameo in the music video for Cardi B’s chart-topper, “WAP.” By this time, Rubi Rose had solidified her joint recognition as a rapper and a video model.

On Christmas Day in 2020, Rubi Rose released her highly anticipated debut mixtape, For The Streets. She enlisted popular artists Future and PARTYNEXTDOOR for the sexy party number “Whole Lotta Liquor.” Six months after For The Streets hit the airwaves, the rapper scored a major career high when she was tapped as a member of XXL’s 2021 Freshman Class alongside Flo Milli, DDG, Coi Leray, and others.

Rap Style

Rubi Rose’s music is defined by sleekly written flows and aggressive, sexual delivery. She credits Nicki Minaj as her primary musical influence. She’s also showered great love on Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion for their influence on today’s women in rap. Musically, Rubi Rose’s lyrics revolve around sexuality and empowerment. She has an unapologetic attitude when in front of the mic, and not just in the studio, too. Her live performances, particularly her Rolling Loud Miami set, proved her ability to move the crowd.

Other Ventures

Besides the music, Rubi Rose is an active personality on social media. Her follower count on Instagram enjoys a steady rise and currently sits at over 4.6 million. She also credits her ex-boyfriend at the time for encouraging her to sign up on OnlyFans. She has over a million likes and continues to share personal moments and even previews new music for her subscribers.

Speaking with MEFeater, Rubi Rose shared how the platform changed her life exponentially. “I also upload snippets of my music before it comes out, unreleased things, behind the scenes, me recording music videos, or me in the studio with people,” she said. “It’s cool that I can tie all of it in and make money off of it and use the money to support my music endeavors.”

The Future Of Rubi Rose

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 09: (Editorial Use Only) Rubi Rose
performs on stage during Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park on July 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

While she’s blown up greatly since the 2020s, Rubi Rose is still very much on the rise. As she continues building her fanbase, she quickly becomes a rap girl to watch. All eyes are still on the star, as she is expected to release her debut album soon. 

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Cardi B’s Influence On This Generation’s Women In Rap

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It’s no secret that the media tends to pit women against each other. It’s also become common knowledge that Cardi B possesses somewhat of a musical Midas touch. The general consensus is that a feature from the Bronx native is guaranteed to solidify your song as a hit. Regardless, over the years, Cardi B has remained humble, generously releasing herself to the newer crop of female rappers.

Cardi B’s connection to rising stars hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, Charlamagne Tha God likened her to Jay-Z and Drake. On an episode of the It’s Up There podcast, he praised Cardi for her willingness to share the spotlight with other women in rap. “Salute to Cardi. Cardi shifted that in the culture,” he said. “Cardi did for female rap what Jay-Z and Drake did, you know what I mean?”

How Cardi B Broke The Glass Ceiling

It’s important to note that women in rap have existed since Hip Hop’s Golden Age. However, there has been a great shift in recent times, and this is largely in part to Cardi B. The media gained a reputation after the ’90s for keeping the spotlight on one raptress at a time. For example, as Nicki Minaj became a household name in the 2010s, the thought of another femcee became almost foreign to fathom.

Cardi’s breakthrough has primarily been attributed to her unapologetic personality, street credibility, and hunger for success. When she burst onto the scene, there became more than one highly successful woman at the top of the rap scene. In a truly remarkable feat, she shattered the glass ceiling of expectations from women in Hip Hop. Cardi B earned the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album with her record-breaking debut album, Invasion of Privacy. In addition to this, she’s attained numerous chart-topping tracks and achieved three Diamond-certified records.

Cardi B’s Collaborations With Women In Rap

cardi b female rappers
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 17: Cardi B and Latto perform onstage during 2023 HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash at State Farm Arena on June 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

With many record-breaking feats to her name, Cardi B has always been willing to share the spotlight with her contemporaries and newcomers. She has lent her support to many acts, including the City Girls, GloRilla, Sukihana, Latto, and Rubi Rose. Most importantly, much of this support has been in the early stages of their respective careers.

Cardi B has also received great praise for her public affection towards other female rappers. She is also heavily invested in her collaborations, using her social media platform to promote her featured tracks loudly. While much of her rapping is centered around women’s empowerment, sexuality, and money, Cardi B has also shared that she wants to see other women who rap about a wide variety of topics in the limelight.

In 2019, Cardi B called out Jermaine Dupri for tagging the new generation of women in rap as “strippers rapping.” She took to Instagram to share that sexual lyrics is mostly thanks to the consumers of the product. “There’s a lot of female rappers that be rapping they a** off. Y’all don’t be supporting them, and they be mad dope,” she said.

Impact & Legacy

cardi b female rappers
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 17: Cardi B performs during HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash 2023 at State Farm Arena on June 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)

With just one studio album out, it’s quite impossible to understand the heights of Cardi B’s popularity. Cardi B is restoring sisterhood in rap by sticking her neck out for several female rappers. Her connection to many rising stars in the game is quite remarkable. Furthermore, the women she has collaborated with have had nothing but wonderful things to say about her.

It’s as clear as day that Cardi B is a defining factor in the rise of femcees today. She has extended past the Hip Hop genre to become an outspoken, lovable media personality. In addition to this, by jumping on many artists’ tracks, she is awarding them hits of their own. Indeed, Cardi B is Hip Hop’s big sister, as far as many of today’s women in rap are concerned.

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7 Best Hip Hop Videos Of All Time

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Due to the many interesting figures that make up the genre of Hip Hop, music videos are usually a treat. While it’s a difficult task to pin down the best of the best rap music videos, it’s important to note that uniqueness is highly lauded. Many important figures in Hip Hop have become widely known for their music videos. These include Missy Elliott, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and many more.

The storytelling nature of rap has allowed many artists to exhibit great visual creativity. While some Hip Hop classics feature simplistic music videos, others take it up a notch. This could be through emotional symbolism, cartoons, futurism, or just plain joy. The following music videos are visually striking, keeping viewers glued to the screen from start to finish. 

Read More: Janet Jackson’s Best Music Videos

7. Busta Rhymes – “Gimme Some More” (1998)

Busta Rhymes and Hype Williams co-directed the music video for “Gimme Some More.” It was shot through a fisheye lens style, featuring bright colors and wacky scenarios. Busta Rhymes has been lauded over the decades for his visual work, becoming one of the first rappers to include comedic and cartoonish swag in his music videos. “Gimme Some More” features Busta Rhymes’ signature energetic rap flow, and the music video reflects this. With frozen shots at the end of each rap bar, Busta and Hype grab viewers’ attention throughout. 

Read More: Michael Jackson’s Best Music Videos

6. Tobe Nwigwe – “Fye Fye” Ft. Fat Nwigwe (2021)

Since the mid-2010s, Tobe Nwigwe has achieved a growing ascent to the mainstream. With the music video for his track “Fye Fye” ft. Fat Nwigwe, he became a viral sensation. The lyrics to “Fye Fye” are drenched in familial values and the bond between members of the Black community. In the instantly classic music video, Tobe, his wife Fat, and a host of Black dancers and hype people enjoy a wholesome rage. Decked in white and aqua green, the music video’s cast showcases Black love and excellence to viewers. There’s also a very pregnant Fat, raging alongside everyone else.

Read More: Vevo Releases Several Of Jay-Z’s Classic Music Videos For His 52nd Birthday

5. Childish Gambino – “This Is America” (2018)

Upon release, the music video for Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” became one of the most talked about videos of all time. The symbolism in the video was unapologetically stirring, leading to much discourse. Many different opinions were revealed about the many different portions of the music video. “This Is America” was directed by Hiro Murai. It features Childish Gambino in numerous harrowing and violent scenarios. The music video depicts issues plaguing Black Americans, including racism and police brutality. Contrasted by the violent moments, is Gambino’s awkwardly funny dancing, making for an even more stirring video. “This Is America” is undoubtedly one of the best, albeit polarizing rap music videos of the 2010s.

Read More: Beyoncé Earns No. 1 Spot On Greatest Music Videos Of All Time With “Formation”

4. Kendrick Lamar – “Alright” (2015)

The music video for Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” received widespread praise upon release in 2015. Shot entirely in black and white, “Alright” was filled with many artistic and symbolic imagery. The music video was shot by Colin Tilley and The Little Homies. There are many subtle ways Lamar highlights his frustrations about police brutality and the mistreatment of Black Americans. Tilley revealed to MTV that he wanted a video that “basically shows the state of everything that’s going on in the world right now.” While the video does have dark scenes, there remains an air of positivity and love that’s broadcast. Lastly, backed by Lamar’s constant proclamation that things will be alright, the music video for the To Pimp A Butterfly single offers reassurance amidst the chaos. 

Read More: Kendrick Lamar’s Music Videos Are Extraordinary, And They’re Only Getting Better

3. Lil Kim – “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” Ft. Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez & Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez (1997)

Female rap collaborations have existed since Hip Hop’s Golden Age. Nonetheless, there was a group-project type of solidarity among female rappers that has waned in recent times. “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” was a testament to the girl power that ruled the 90s rap scene. Lil’ Kim enlisted Missy Elliott, Da Brat, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Angie Martinez for what is arguably the best female rap collaboration of all time. The rap song’s music video is fresh, and filled with a perfect summer vibe of everyone living their best lives. Cameos from Mary J Blige, Queen Latifah, Blaque, and more Hip Hop and R&B stars make this a truly iconic video.

Read More: Eminem Releases His Old Music Videos In High Definition

2. OutKast – “Hey Ya!” (2003)

On the surface level, “Hey Ya!” is a fun, funky, Hip Hop classic to dance to. However, the lyrics reveal a much more emotional and dark story of romance. Regardless, André 3000 and Big Boi leaned into the catchy beat to deliver a colorful spectacle. “Hey Ya!” is packed with a boisterous André 3000 leading multiple versions of himself while performing in London. As André 3000 says in the song, “Y’all don’t hear me! You just want to dance!” Featuring hundreds of beautiful women fawning over the star and partying in the crowd, “Hey Ya!” is still a party staple today. Importantly, the music video is also credited for reviving interest in the Polaroid picture format. Truly iconic.

Read More: Top 10 Nicki Minaj Music Videos Of All Time

1. Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On” (2001)

One of the pioneers of striking music videos, regardless of genre, is Missy Elliott. Her music and the accompanying videos have maintained cultural relevance over the decades. Known for her futuristic sound and visuals, Missy Elliott’s single “Get Ur Freak On” is a testament to her advanced sound and eye for detail. The music video delivers on all fronts. It’s visually appealing, imaginative, properly choreographed, and has several cameos. Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Eve, LL Cool J, and Elliott’s frequent collaborator Timbaland all appear in the music video. Indeed it’s hard to pick Missy Elliot’s best music video, but “Get Ur Freak On” is one of the best rap videos, and a creative masterpiece to watch. 

Read More: Young Thug’s 5 Wildest Music Videos

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Lil Kim’s “Notorious K.I.M.” Turns 23

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Nearly four years after her debut album Hard Core rocked the world, Lil’ Kim emerged with The Notorious K.I.M. The rapper’s sophomore album was a groundbreaking one for her, achieving instant commercial success. The Notorious K.I.M. also showcased a much more mature side to Lil’ Kim. She came out swinging with her second solo effort, re-stamping her musical identity into the public’s consciousness.

Lil’ Kim became widely known for her explicit and raunchy lyrics. As a pioneer of female rappers worldwide, she has vastly been credited for paving the way for a plethora of artists today. Beyond the music, The Notorious K.I.M. became visual gold. Elevating her fashion icon status to new heights, the music videos and fashion moments during the album’s reign were phenomenal. 23 years later, and The Notorious K.I.M. is still lauded as a solid showcase of Lil’ Kim’s impressive rap prowess and iconic imagery.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Says The First Female Rapper She Heard Besides Her Mom Was Lil Kim

Background

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Rapper Lil Kim (Kimberly Denise Jones) poses for photos at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago, Illinois in June 2000. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

Lil’ Kim rose to mainstream fame in the mid-nineties. After being discovered by The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994, she joined Junior M.A.F.I.A., contributing lyrics to their debut album Conspiracy. Two years later, her solo debut Hard Core was released to widespread acclaim. The album featured unapologetic and aggressively sexual lyrics which Lil’ Kim quickly became notable for. 

While riding the high of her successful debut album, Lil’ Kim was expected to turn in a new album in no time. However, the murder of The Notorious B.I.G., her mentor, and who she had a tumultuous relationship with, hit her hard. The album serves as a memorial to him as the title suggests.

During the time between her first and second albums, Lil’ Kim achieved newer heights of fame for her style. Her bold, colorful, and high-glamor fashion choices earned her the title of Fashion Icon! She carried her stylish ensembles over into the era of her sophomore album. Indeed her image and sex appeal sparked a huge controversy, but Lil’ Kim remained unapologetic in her looks and sound. 

Read More: Ice Spice Talks Being Inspired By Nicki Minaj & Lil Kim

Release Delays And Album Style

In the summer of 1999, multiple songs that were set to appear on the album were leaked. The high-profile leak remains one of the most infamous in music history. Undeterred, Lil’ Kim and Diddy returned to the studio to create new magic. This ultimately led to multiple delays with the album’s release. She recorded The Notorious K.I.M. between 1998 and 2000 before releasing the album on June 27, 2000. 

The press tour for The Notorious K.I.M. also led to significant anticipation for the musical return of Lil’ Kim. The rapper continued to reiterate that she was insistent on revealing her creativity and versatility. Ever since her debut, rumors circulated that The Notorious B.I.G. was responsible for Lil’ Kim’s rhyme and flow. She wanted everyone to know about her lyrical pen game. While she stated that the album would surely put those claims to rest, she also wanted the world to know that the album would be highly reminiscent of her mentor. 

While promoting the album on BET Rap City Basement, Lil’ Kim praised B.I.G. for influencing her greatly. “BIG helped me with a lot of my stuff. He showed me how to rap. He gave me the formula,” she said. “And all I did on this album was run with the formula.” 

Read More: Lil Kim Then & Now: Her Transformation Into An Icon

The Notorious K.I.M.’s Legacy

The Notorious K.I.M. was an album meant to cater to Lil’ Kim’s wide fanbase. Although her debut, Hard Core, was a commercial success, Lil’ Kim was dissatisfied with the lack of airwave play. She decided to create a more mixed sound with her sophomore work so that older and younger fans, as well as DJs could play her music. The Notorious K.I.M. doesn’t shy away from her explicit lyricism, but there are songs on the project that were significantly toned down and without any curse words. Thus, Lil’ Kim became embraced by a wider group of fans. 

On this album, Lil’ Kim maintained her feminist stance with tracks like “Suck My Dick” and “Single Black Female.” She kept her sound fresh and evolving with songs like “No Matter What They Say.” Furthermore, her emotional and vulnerable side was highlighted on “Hold On,” a deep and moving song about her rocky life with B.I.G. All in all, Lil’ Kim fought for her place at the top with the album, and over two decades later, it remains an iconic staple in rap history. 

Read More: Lil Kim Will Be Getting Her Own Biopic

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Da Brat’s Debut Album “Funkdafied” Turns 29

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The summer of 1994 was marked by a history-making debut album by Da Brat. Funkdafied was the album that largely unleashed the talents of the rapper into the limelight. Da Brat quickly cemented herself in the history books with the nine-track project. Looking back 29 years later, it’s easy to see how she became a pioneer female MC.

As the album inches closer to its third decade, it’s important to note how Da Brat’s debut inspired women in rap worldwide. A solo woman rapper selling one million copies at the time was an arduous task. Nonetheless, Da Brat came out swinging, becoming the first female solo act to achieve a Platinum certification with an album. The rest, as they say, was history.

The History Behind Da Brat’s Rise

When he was just 19 years old, Jermaine Dupri discovered the chart-topping hip hop duo Kriss Kross. In 1992, they had become mainstream acts and watched a then-unknown Da Brat win a rap battle in Chicago. Enthralled by her flow, the pair encouraged Dupri to bring her on the So So Def label. Although reluctant, Dupri decided to give her a chance. 

“She was introduced to me by Kriss Kross. They saw her while they were on tour, and they came to me and said, “We got this female rapper you should check out,” Dupri told Angela Yee for Fox Soul. “And when they did it, I didn’t want no female rapper. But I thought that since they said I should check her out… I’m like, what does she do that made them want me to look at her? So I at least decided to give it a listen.”

The Success Of Funkdafied

Funkdafied was released on June 28, 1994 to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Importantly, Da Brat was only 20 years old when her debut album hit the airwaves. This left more than enough room for the artist to carve out a distinct rap career for herself. Funkdafied housed the lead single of the same name, which also achieved Platinum status two months after the album’s release.

Da Brat has previously mentioned that while Dupri expressed the near-impossibility of a largely successful debut, she wasn’t deterred. Things would later work in her favor, as Funkdafied sold over a million copies, the first by a solo woman in rap to do so. Da Brat quickly became a noteworthy act, especially for her edgier rap style that many women artists would later emulate. 

Jermaine Dupri also earned significant acclaim for his impressive production on the album. Funkdafied peaked at the eleventh spot on the Billboard 200. It further hit the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Featured acts on the project include Kandi Burruss, LaTocha Scott, Y-Tee, Mac Daddy from Kris Kross, and Dupri himself on the lead track.

Besides the title track, two other singles were released from Brat’s debut album. “Fa All Y’all” and “Give It 2 You” also succeeded, becoming her second and third consecutive songs to hit the Top 40. However, none of Da Brat’s other songs have enjoyed the success of “Funkdafied,” which peaked at the sixth spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The G-funk single was praised for its infusion of parody, funk music, and heavy-hitting rap lyrics.

Funkdafied’s Legacy

With her debut album, Da Brat paved the way for many after her. By breaking the Gold-certification hold others had before her, she proved a woman could sell a million copies in rap solo. Today, it’s impossible to highlight Hip Hop’s most iconic albums without including Funkdafied. While Da Brat has found success with other ventures, she will still be widely heralded for her stellar debut album and her impressive catalog of hits. 

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Coi Leray Proposes All-Female Rap Song For First Number One Hip-Hop Hit Of 2023

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It seems like her near-beef with Latto over a misinterpreted lyric has really informed Coi Leray’s perspective. Moreover, she just took to Twitter to lament the fact that there still hasn’t been a number one rap song in 2023, and she has a plan to change that. What is it? Well, it consists of bringing together as many female rappers as possible for a ladies night of camaraderie, pure talent, and the ultimate collaborative spirit. “Ain’t been a #1 rap song at all this year,” the Boston native began her message. “Calling all the female rappers to front. Here me out. ladies night. Hip hop. Unity. #splash let’s make history with a number 1 … together .. with love. #justanidea.”

In addition, she also responded to fan questions and backlash. For example, one fan pointed out that there are simply too many out there to make a cohesive great song in time. “Someone of us can share verses,” Coi Leray suggested. “Split it up. Back and forth. Adlibs.” Another said that they don’t want unity, but rather beef. While Coi called that “distasteful and weird,” it’s unfortunately a prevailing attitude among not just fans, but plenty of artists alike right now.

Read More: Coi Leray Talks “Bops,” Body Shaming, & Her Sophomore Album With Apple Music 1

Coi Leray’s Proposition For An All-Femcee Number One Song

How many times have outlets like ours reported on the latest beef between rappers or their fanbases across genders, including Coi Leray herself? Egos are big, the attention and money that beef makes is even bigger, and especially female rappers are unfortunately pitted against each other thanks to misogynistic stereotypes and an unfortunate inability to “play with the boys” as a result. The perception of there being one hot female rapper at a time is quickly vanishing, but fanbases and outlets are far too quick to make them step on each other to reach an elevated status at all.

Regardless, the 26-year-old has more music to look forward to in the future regardless of whether this single works out. Her upcoming sophomore album COI has a lot of singles under its belt already, and many are excited to see what she brings to the table. Hopefully her tweets plant the seeds for a banger to come, especially one that shows that the women in rap are leading the way right now. For more news and the latest updates on Coi Leray, keep checking in with HNHH.

Read More: Coi Leray’s Best Collaborations

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