As “Hot Girl Summer” came to its unanticipated end earlier this year, it became clear to everyone that women in rap are unapologetically here to stay. The phrase-of-the-year came to be after Megan Thee Stallion dubbed the summer of 2019 “Hot Girl Summer” upon releasing her single titled with the same name. Everyone across all forms of social media flocked to this term of empowerment which exudes body positivity, self-love, and an overall message of being entirely yourself. 

  Coming from unconventional beginnings, these female artists have proven themselves to be competitive in an industry where women were once merely sexually explicit references in a string of fast-paced rhymes. Now, rap queens dominate the scene and top the charts from the likes of Cardi B, whose intense raps of wealth, sex, and strength insight badass energy, to that of Lizzo, whose anthems of self-love and fierce individuality inspire the same in others. All of these rappers owe their success to that of artist MC Sha-Rock: the first female rapper.

Born Sharon Green, MC Sha-Rock grew up in the South Bronx, NY: the birthplace of hip hop culture. Here, she became a breakdancer and began her rapping career in the mid-1970s. MC Sha-Rock became a founding member of the music group The Funky 4+1, where she was promptly the “plus one” as the first female MC of a notable hip hop group. Her work even earned her the title “Mother of the Mic.” She began paving the way for artists of the later 80s like that of MC Lyte and Salt-N-Pepa through her efforts in breaking down both boundaries and stereotypes for women in the rap industry. Her contribution to hip-hop culture has allowed new emerging female rappers to have the same opportunities as men.   

Beginning to make their own mark, artists such as Saweetie, Noname, and Tierra Whack offer their own unique styles redefining what it means to be a woman in the rap industry. Saweetie’s brash approach has allowed her to climb the charts with her audacious singles “Icy Girl” and “My Type.” In contrast, Noname brings smooth stylings to the forefront with a hint of old-school R&B spice showcased in both her songs “Diddy Bop” and “Shadow Man.” Tierra Whack is another rising star who highlights her tongue-in-cheek nature and her style rooted in distinctive beats to drive the lyrics in her latest album “Whack World.”

As we long for our summer “hot girl” lifestyle, we will have to wait until next year comes around. In the meantime, we will continue to power through another “Hot Girl Semester” to keep paying homage all year long to such remarkably bold, confident women who changed the rap scene indefinitely.