Female Rappers

Gloss Up Details The Female Rap Scene In Memphis & “Don’t Play With Me” For “On The Come Up”

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Over the last several years, Memphis has become the only true rival to Atlanta as the new Hip-Hop capital. Now, the female rappers there have started to really gain steam, so Memphis may actually have an edge over the A. Following the release of GloRilla’s sensational breakout hit “F.N.F.,” the Hip-Hop community fell in love with the CMG signee. In addition to Glo, the Hip-Hop community also fell in love with her “ratchet ass friends.” Surprisingly, many of them were also rising Memphis femcees.

One of those talented rappers that made an appearance in the “F.N.F.” video was Gloss Up. However, the mother of two is much more than a video extra. After getting her feet wet with freestyles over popular Drake, Plies, and Nicki Minaj instrumentals, Gloss started releasing original music. Her first official project, Different Shades of Gloss, arrived in the summer of 2019.

Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
READ MORE: Lakeyah Adds Gloss Up To “Real B*tch”

In the years following that project, Gloss Up continued to work on her craft. In 2021, her team-up with HitKidd and his curated selection of Memphis female rappers — including GloRilla, K Carbon, Slimeroni, and Aleza — proved to be one of the most pivotal decisions of her career. That summer, the massive female ensemble released their first song together, titled “Set The Tone.” Needless to say, it lived up to its namesake, as it showcased how intriguing Memphis’ female rap scene was. 

Following the momentum of “Set The Tone” and “Set The Tone 2,” “F.N.F.” just tipped the scales even further. This year, that song launched GloRilla, Gloss Up, and the rest of their frequent collaborators into the mainstream eye. As 2022 progressed, Gloss Up, a self-proclaimed underdog, ended up signing a record deal with Quality Control Music. Now, she’s here to introduce herself as one of the featured artists for HNHH’s On The Come Up.

Read More: GloRilla Details Chief Keef Influence, Dream Collab & “F.N.F” Success In “On The Come Up”

On The Come Up: Gloss Up

Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)

HNHH: Gloss, how’d you get into music?

I would just write poems when I was little. My mom used to think they was poems, but they was raps. So yeah.

Who are some of your musical inspirations?

Megan [Thee Stallion], my best friend GloRilla, I like Lizzo, and as far as the dudes, I like Dolph. 

What was the turning point that helped you realize that you were on your way to becoming successful? What was that moment of like “Damn, I’m doing something right.”

I went on tour, on my own little tour around different cities. I had went to 14 cities, and that’s when I really realized this is what I wanted to do.

If a music fan, brand new, were to discover you today for the first time, what song would you tell them to listen to?

“Don’t Play With Me.” Or my song “Sunshine.” My song “Sunshine” — I had wrote it for my kids. Well, I had one child at the time. Cause it’s like different. It’s versatile. It’s not bad. I really didn’t say no curse words in it. 

Where can I find it?

On YouTube, my YouTube channel, Glitter Girl Gloss.

Tell me about a valuable lesson you’ve learned during your come-up.

Slow down on posting stuff. Don’t post too much. Don’t give em too much, and don’t be popping out for free.

Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
Read More: Lil Poppa Reflects On Industry Hardships, Growing Up In Jacksonville & More In “On The Come Up”

Summarize your debut single, mixtape, whichever of the two you wanna touch on, and what inspired you to make that.

Well, right now the song I’m pushing is called “Don’t Play With Me”. I’m really pushing that song cause I’ve been pregnant for two years, I really haven’t just put no song out by myself. I’ve just been working with the other girls. Right now, I’m building a catalog, so I’m not sure when I’m gonna do my mixtape or my albums just yet. I’m just working

What inspired you to make that song?

People that play with you. It’s just one of them songs, you just be like, “Don’t play with me.”

Sometimes people get you fucked up…

Yup, they got you fucked up. So you be like — and it’s catchy — like, “Go play with your dick baby, don’t play with me.” You know. You know how that be.

Tell me about your hometown, tell me a little bit more about Memphis and how it influences your music.

Now it’s influenced me a lot, like, they giving me a lot of faith to keep going.  Cause it’s like, we the first girls that’s out of Memphis that’s actually doing something. For a long time, it’s been the dudes getting it on, so now it’s like, the girls getting recognition. It’s cool cause everybody supporting us right now, and I like it.

Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
Read More: Baby Tate Reflects On Early 6lack Co-Sign, Staying Off The Internet & More In “On The Come Up”

Speak on that. Like how does it feel being one of the first women from Memphis to really make it rapping? Getting signed and doing it with your friends. How does that feel?

You know, we got a little change and stuff, but like, at our age it feel real good. And like, we’ve been talking about this stuff so long. Like, too fucking long. And it’s crazy that it actually happened. I don’t know, it’s cool.

Making it to the cover, you good.

[Laughs]

Where do you hope your music career takes you?

I wanna be big, I wanna do different stuff, like, different kinds of songs– be very versatile, different genres. I wanna be on the biggest stage, one day. Yeah.

If you could create your dream song, unlimited budget, P says “you know what? Whatever you need, let’s make it happen.” What would it sound like and who would you feature on the song? Past artist or present.

I wanna do a song for the girls, like the regular girls. The girls, the mommas, you know. Giving people confidence to feeling confident in your body. Like, you don’t gotta be like everybody else. Be yourself. When I do make that kinda song I’m gonna put Lizzo on it. Lizzo, yep.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring musician on the come-up, what would you tell them?

Keep going, stay in your lane. Create your own lane if you don’t have it. Just keep going. 

Read More: B-Lovee Details The Value Of Hard Work, Talks Bronx Drill Origins & More In “On The Come Up”

Ice Spice’s New Single Has Her “in ha mood”

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Undoubtedly one of 2022’s biggest breakout stars was Ice Spice. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, the Bronx baddie has since captured the hearts of many with tracks like “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and “Bikini Bottom.” Before the year ends, she gave fans one last treat in the form of “in ha mood.”

While the song isn’t available on streamers like Spotify or Apple Music at the moment, it can be heard on both YouTube and SoundCloud. The 22-year-old has been teasing the catchy tune on TikTok for some time, and finally decided to drop it off in full for listeners.

Rapper Ice Spice attends BET Hip Hop Awards 2022 on September 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Filmmagic)

The portion of the single that’s been making rounds on social media finds Spice rhyming, “In the party, he just wanna rump / Big boobs and the butt stay plump / She a baddie, she know she a ten / She a baddie with her baddie friend.”

Later on she bodaciously brags, “Step in the party, I’m lookin’ the baddest / So the paparazzi in my face.”

In the caption of her YouTube upload, Spice confirmed that she has a project on the way. However, no official release date or other information was provided, leaving us to speculate.

Back in September, she linked up with B-Lovee, Skillibeng, and J.I the Prince of N.Y for “One Time.” Since then, she’s only achieved further superstardom, which means the collaborations to come in the future are likely to be nothing short of iconic.

Stream Ice Spice’s “in ha mood” on SoundCloud below. Afterward, let us know what your favourite single from the New Yorker has been this year in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

They like, “Ice, how you always stay hot?”
Oh, they mad ’cause I keep makin’ bops
Oh, she mad ’cause I’m takin’ her spot
If I was bitches, I’d hate me a lot

Hitmaka Had Some Thoughts About ‘P*ssy Rap’ And Fans Justifiably Found Some Faults In His Arguments

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Remember “Thot Box?” You know, Hitmaka’s 2019 posse cut featuring 2 Chainz, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Meek Mill, Tyga, and YBN Nahmir? No? Well, you almost certainly remember that the remix — which did ridiculously better than the original — featured a who’s-who of up-and-coming female rappers including Chinese Kitty, DreamDoll, Dreezy, Latto (pre-name change), and Young MA. There it is up top.

Well, the guy responsible for it, Hitmaka (formerly known as Young Berg, the walking lick), had some thoughts about female rappers and their X-rated subject matter, and unfortunately for him, he decided to share those thoughts on Twitter. Apparently, he missed how it went for the last handful of guys to offer their two cents on this topic, including Jermaine Dupri.

“Can’t wait to work with a pretty female rapper that’s strictly about bars to even the playing field,” he wrote. “Pussy rap was cool when it had shock value & was rare. Now it’s like every girl taking it there. It’s sum who aren’t but they need a hit producer 4 impact.”

It didn’t take long for him to come under fire from fans who pointed out the sexism inherent in this sentiment. Also, it’s like… Wrong. Plainly. Clearly. Obviously. Women have addressed this repeatedly in the last few years. Cardi B called it out. Megan Thee Stallion called it out. City Girls called it out. Latto called it out THIS WEEK. Plus, as Noname rightfully pointed out last year, women are better at rapping about sex than men, anyway. Case in point: “Thot Box” and its much more successful remix.

Women also rightfully brought up Berg’s past controversial colorist comments and accusations against him for sexual assault.

Moral of the story: Stay out of women’s business, gentlemen. It will not go well for you.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Asian Doll Seemingly Reacts To Hitmaka’s Criticism Of “P*ssy Rap”

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An opinion made by Hitmaka sparked a new discussion in Hip Hop. Recently, the megaproducer and vice president of A&R for Atlantic Records took to Twitter to share a few thoughts about women in Rap. “Can’t wait to work with a pretty female rapper that’s strictly about bars to even the playing field,” he said.

“P*ssy rap was cool when it had shock value & was rare. Now it’s like every girl taking it there. It’s sum who aren’t but they need a hit producer 4 impact [raining umbrella emoji].”

Read More: Hitmaka Speaks On Saweetie “The Single Life” Allegedly Selling 2K The First Week

People quickly noted that he specified “pretty,” causing some to dismiss his observation. Reactions were divided, and the public once again discussed sexually charged lyrics in Hip Hop. It was stated that for decades, men had penned rhymes about their sexual exploits without similar criticisms.

Asian Doll appeared with a message of her own, and many believed she was referencing Hitmaka.

“I fell like why do n*ggas always worried bout what female rappers rap about?” she questioned.

Read More: Hitmaka Talks “Privileged” Upbringing & Not Wanting To Be A Rapper Again

“N*ggas been rapping bout the same thing since rap was invented.. ladies rap for the ladies not for you n*ggas,” Doll added. “[And] we running sh*t rn so let us be US [100 emoji] even tho I don’t only rap about my p*ssy still Stfu.”

After Hitmaka’s tweet went viral, he returned with a follow-up. It looks like he’s working on mapping out 2023 and is ready to take on more challenges with women in Rap.

“I’m already done with 3 Albums executive produced by Me dropping in 2023. Top of the year I’m starting this female rapper project.”

Do you think Hitmaka has a point or is he out of line? Check out a few reactions below and let us know in the comments.

Latto Is Back With “Another Nasty Song”

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Throughout her career, Latto has built herself something of a reputation for making salacious songs. Like many other female rap divas, she’s not afraid to let her confidence shine through as she talks her shit. Of course, this sort of attitude comes with its share of haters, but the 23-year-old isn’t letting them phase her.

On her aptly titled new single, “Another Nasty Song,” the “Sunshine” artist dishes about some of her bedroom preferences. “‘Cause this here another nasty song / He love it when I pull up wit’ no panties on,” she saucily teases on the chorus.

Other bold lyrics from the rising recording artist include “Gangster bitch, I make him wear my chain whilе he drillin’ / And me and my bitch might run a train on this n*gga.”

The sexy single comes following a massive leak that Latto’s unreleased music was a part of. Hundreds of tracks that she had locked and loaded in her arsenal were sadly shared with the world without her permission, though they’ve made their admiration of certain titles very clear.

Latto heard her fan’s praise loud and clear and was quick to officially unveil “Another Nasty Song” with them as a result.

After sharing her own 777 album back in March, the reality star has had an impressive 2022. Most recently, we saw her work with GloRilla on “FTCU” and on Chlöe’s “For The Night” single.

Stream Latto’s “Another Nasty Song” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, let us know what your thoughts are in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

Pull up on my pimpin’, say my name while you in it
Type of p*ssy make him say my name while hе swimmin’
Gangster bitch, I make him wear my chain whilе he drillin’
And me and my bitch might run a train on this n*gga

[Via]

Nicki Minaj Might Have Dissed Latto During ‘Queen Radio’ After Latto Said That Female Rap Is Now Thriving

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Nicki Minaj VMAs 2022
Getty Image

One thing that has become clear over the last few years is that when Nicki Minaj hosts her infamous Queen Radio show, someone will more than likely be dissed. The latest target appears to be Latto, as the “Super Freaky Girl” artist seemed to have some choice words that could be for her in the wake of her assertion that female rap is more balanced than it has ever been.

In a clip posted to Twitter on Friday (September 9), a fan screen recorded a 40-second snippet of Nicki Minaj’s recent radio show saying “A lot of other people come in one day, and the next day you’re trying to categorize yourself with people who have been f*cking working and putting their blood, sweat, and tears into this sh*t for 15 and 20 motherf*cking years. And then that album comes out and you can clearly see you haven’t built up a loyal fanbase yet who actually likes your f*cking music. And then what they start doing is they start digging the hole deeper for themselves.”

Though the Queen artist did not say a name, many believe this was pointed at the “Big Energy” rapper. In a follow-up tweet, the same fan shared a clip of Latto’s interview with Hollywood Unlocked from March where she says “Look how many female rappers is thriving right now, versus it being Nicki and everybody else.” Notably, her gesture when mentioning Nicki Minaj indicated she was above everyone else, and the subsequent gesture showed a more level playing field in reference to today’s female rap landscape.

While it appears Latto had no malice toward Minaj, it is not rare for the “Barbie Tingz” artist to take offense to statements that weren’t intended to be offensive. Latto has not made any comments in retort, but their fanbases have been going at it on Twitter ever since the initial clip dropped, with some referencing Nicki targeting Lil Kim in the early days of her career.

Check out the Queen Radio clip above.