Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images Doors didn’t open easily for women in hip-hop. Female hip-hop artists have been trying to break that glass ceiling since hip-hop was born in 1973. From times when the genre didn’t feel big enough for more than one female name to women now dominating the hip-hop and pop charts, female rappers have found their true power in coming together on a track. Female hip-hop collaborations were a rare find in the early decades of the genre. By the mid- to late ’90s, however, the lyrics and voices of two or more women trading bars on the same rap song were well within reach on the radio. Artists like Queen Latifah called for respect and unity and gracefully demanded an end to the misogynoir plaguing the hip-hop industry. Rappers like Missy Elliott and Da Brat exuded unconventional styles with a healthy dose of disdain for the male gaze, while artists like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown unapologetically played into it. When they came together on a track, it was a showcase of empowering fun as well as lyrical talent. When pop music got a hold of the power of sprinkling in rap verses on singles in the ’90s to early 2000s, rap collaborations trended in a fresh, new direction. Today, female artists have claimed their place in the hip-hop music scene. No longer guests in a space they helped create, female rappers–like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Latto, Rico Nasty, Flo Milli, Kaliii, and more–are not shy about making their presence known and even doing it together. The rap elders are pleased. Veteran emcee Yo-Yo told Revolt in an interview that she’s proud to see women advocating for themselves in hip-hop. “I think this generation is more fearless,” she said. “They say what they want, and they get it.” If it’s a collab the women of rap want to do, they’ll get no complaints from fans. Between the hip-hop charts, iTunes streams, and social media views, the people have spoken: All-female rap collaborations are in demand and here to stay. Stacker used various sources to list 25 of the best female hip-hop collaborations over the past 50 years. Read on to see if your favorite all-female collab made the list. ‘Sparky’s Turn (Roxanne You’re Through)’ by Sparky D and Roxanne Shanté Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images Long before Nas was barring Jay-Z out in “Ether” and even before the famed East vs. West Coast rivalry that birthed a multitude of diss tracks, there was the infamous “Roxanne Wars.” A rap beef brought about after UTFO released a track entitled “Roxanne, Roxanne” featuring a lyrical track that attacked a “stuck-up Roxanne who paid [them] no mind.” A bevy of response records popped up, including this track which was released in January 1985. ‘Ladies First’ by Queen Latifah and Monie Love Raymond Boyd // Getty Images There are queens, and then there’s Queen Latifah, who released this anthemic track “Ladies First” in 1989, a single off the album “All Hail the Queen.” The song featured a strong brass track, an even stronger feature from Monie Love, and lyrics that reinforced Queen Latifah, who wasn’t standing for any of the misogyny that the music industry was known for. In August 2023, Netflix released the new hip-hop documentary “Ladies First” dedicated to the women who paved the way and the women who carry the torch. ‘Six Pack’ by Paula Perry, Nikki D, Rah Digga, Heather B., Precious Paris, and Bahamadia Raymond Boyd // Getty Images Paula Perry is an underrated unknown pioneer when it comes to women in hip-hop. Originally mentored under Masta Ace, her debut album “Tales From Fort Knox” seemed destined for greatness. Tracks like “Six Pack” featured all-women artists from Rah Digga to Bahamadia. The beat oozed New York swag with a heavy boom-bap influence, and fierce features offered cutting lyrics bar after bar. ‘Whatta Man’ by Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue KMazur/WireImage for VH-1 Channel – New York // Getty Images Released in 1993 as a single off the album “Very Necessary,” the song not only gained huge popularity but took home MTV Video Music Awards for Best R&B Video and Best Dance Video. The song was both a catchy and bold statement of empowered sexuality that spoke on women’s desires for sex as openly as their male counterparts. ‘I Wanna Be Down (Remix)’ by Brandy, Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, and MC Lyte Johnny Nunez/BET // Getty Images for BET Brandy was on heavy rotation as soon as “I Wanna Be Down” came out in 1994. It was equal parts pop and soul, heavy on the lovey-dovey and sweet. The remix on the other hand transformed the song into a far more sultry, adult version of the song and brought in the veritable Mount Rushmore of women in hip-hop: Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, and MC Lyte. ‘Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)’ by Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Da Brat, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, Angie Martinez Steve Eichner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images It doesn’t get much bigger than the roster of the 1997 single “Not Tonight.” Not only did the song feature Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in one of her best features before her untimely death in 2002, but it also managed to bring together some of the top hip-hop artists of the decade to create this all-female helmed anthem. It played on every station that featured hip-hop music around the world, earned a Grammy nomination, and is a mainstay in Friday night out playlists nearly 30 years later. ‘Enjoy Yourself’ by Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown KMazur/WireImage // Getty Images Baz Luhrmann is a film director well-known for his larger-than-life productions. When it came to finding the right team of powerhouses to record a song for the soundtrack of his 2001 movie musical “Moulin Rouge!” he stayed on brand by enlisting women from all musical genres and bringing them together for the song originally sung by Patti LaBelle, “Lady Marmalade.” The song was released in the spring of 2001 and became so popular that it was a hit months before the movie was released. The song also won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ by Eve and Gwen Stefani Michael Caulfield/WireImage // Getty Images Another example of genres coming together to create something everlasting is the dynamic duo of Eve (from Ruff Ryders) and Gwen Stefani (from No Doubt) who came together for this 2001 single “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” off Eve’s “Scorpion” album. Produced by Dr. Dre and Scott Storch, which helped to create that seamless combo of East and West Coast influence, the song became Eve’s highest charting single with 33 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaking at #2. ‘Stilettos (Pumps)’ by Crime Mob and Miss Aisha Canva Princess and Miss Aisha walked so future female rappers could run, and they did it all in “Stilettos (Pumps).” Released in 2004, the song acted as a spotlight feature for Princess, a female member of the Atlanta-based Crime Mob crew. The sound of hip-hop was heavily influenced in the ’90s and 2000s by the South and the single was released right in the height of the Crunk era. ‘Girlfight (Remix)’ by Brooke Valentine, Da Brat, Remy Ma, Miss B, Lil Jon
25 of the best female hip-hop collaborations
