Influential Female MC's in Hip-Hop

(This post originally appeared on 99problems.org)

Never let it be said that I can't admit when I am wrong. Last week I posted a blog called "Where is the Next Lauryn Hill?" where I pretty much said that hip-hop is dying because of the lack of female participation. Boy was I off the mark! Immediately after posting the blog dozens of hip-hop fans hit me up via Twitter, Facebook and in 99p's comment section to let me know that hip-hop is filled with strong women voices.

After the jump is an email I received from Detroit's very own Invincible, who many consider to be hip-hop's most talented female MC. (Although I think she might be offended by that statement, because she once rapped "I wanna be known as the best rapper, period. Not just the best with breasts and a period" or something like that.) In it she lays out a list of the top women rappers in music today.

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From Invincible:

Thanks for the mention Biko! Here's my website if people want to hear more and support: www.EMERGENCEmusic.net and also check out my travel agency www.EMERGENCEtravel.net launching this evening! Psalm One website: www.PsalmUno.com and www.myspace.com/JeanGrae for more info on the infamous Jean Grae.

In Detroit we have a weekly women in Hip Hop centered night called the Foundation started by international photographer Piper Carter. All genders are welcomed on the open mic, but the monthly features are all female, and backed up by the all female hip hop band YIN. The fact that this event centers on women but doesn't exclude other genders makes it a safe space for people to develop their skills. I think this is a great model for other cities.

(see video below)

Minneapolis also has the annual women in Hip Hop festival called B-Girl Be, coming up this fall: and Philly just held their Ladies in Hip Hop festival last week. Both of these events focus more on dance but also include all the elements as well.

Last year I had the honor to perform at the first international women in hip hop festival, We B Girlz, in Berlin. The festival was followed by a tour featuring myself, Bahamadia, Roxanne Shante, Eternia, DJ Shortee, Stacy Epps, and many more. I filmed a short documentary about the tour called "The Revival" which will be released this fall. I am also booking a women in hip hop tour for the spring (which will include performances, film screenings, and workshops) if anyone reading this is interested hit me at info@emergencemusic.net.

Amina did a great job of listing everyone from the Chi...so here's the rest of the list iIjust thought of off the top. I hope I didn't forget too many. I also want to point out Queen Latifah just dropped a new album (single featuring Mary J Blige) and MC Lyte keeps dropping new songs on Hip Hop DX.

Detroit:

• Miz Korona
• MaeDay
• D.S. Sense
• Mz Jonz
• Njeri Earth

New York:

• ANOMOLIES (my crew!)
• Pri The Honey Dark
• Helixx C Armageddon
• Kuttin Kandi (DJ)
• Big Tara (Bgirl)
• Tiye Phoenix Eternia (from Toronto)
• Lah Tere (from Chicago, in the group Rebel Diaz)
• Bless Roxwell (also runs a blog that features women in hip hop: http://roxrevolution.blogspot.com/)
• Toni Blackman (from DC)

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Philly:

• Bahamadia (still performing and recording)
• Ethel Cee
• Zarinah
• Hedonis

ATL:

Boog Brown (from Detroit)
• Stacy Epps
• Stahhr
• Fiona Simone

Cali:

• Mystic ('bout to drop her new album)
• Emoni Fela (from DC)
• Skim
• Kandi Cole
• Miki Vale
• the (Sis)tem (all female crew)
• Medusa

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Everwhere else:

• Lady Luck (NJ)
• Fathom (Connecticut)
• AthenA (Nashville, TN)
• Perseph One (Houston, TX)
• Abeer (Baltimore/Palestine)

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Not to mention hundreds more in the states, Canada, and worldwide!

Biko Baker is the League of Young Voters Institute Director, a national organizer for the National Hip Hop Political Convention, and he also works with the Campaign Against Violence based in Milwaukee. Biko also serves on the Editorial Board of WireTap and is a frequent contributor to The Source.