Female rappers are not a phenomenon that started with artists like Nicki Minaj or Cardi B. Women have been integral figures in the rap game for decades. Monie Love, Queen Latifah, Da Brat, MC Lyte, and Lil Kim are just a few of the ladies who have been going hard since hip-hop’s dawn. The diversity and eclecticism of an artist such as Missy Elliott, have influenced male rappers like Ski Mask the Slump God, and Tyler, The Creator. But when people think of modern-day female rappers, they think of artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Flo Mili, or Glorilla. But female talent is endless and expands far beyond them, both in artistry and sound. Here are songs from five female rappers that bring a new sound to your playlist.
BKTHERULA – “ADULT SWIM”
Brooklyn-based Candida Rodriguez, aka BKtherula (BK), was born in 2002 in Atlanta. Rodriguez started making music in middle school and released her earliest singles on SoundCloud. Rodriguez told Marisa Kalil-Barrino with Office Magazine that Amy Winehouse was a huge influence on her. She also mentions artists Tame Impala and Earl Sweatshirt as some of her favorites. “Adult Swim” (produced by Skaiwater) is BK’s newest drop. It’s fire from start to finish.
The hard-hitting 808s and hi-hats alongside BK’s relentless flow and expressive punk-esque create an unexplainable vibe. The sample flip of BADBADNOTGOOD’s “Time Moves Slow” adds a layer of soulfulness to the otherwise aggressive vibe of the beat. This song is a great example of BK’s ability to just run the track and create a fun listening experience through her adlibs and catchy lyrics.
DOECHII – “SKIPP”
Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, better known as Doechii, was born in Tampa, Florida, in 1998. Doechii started as a poet and wanted to pursue a career as a choral singer. But a friend of hers suggested that she release her musical forays online. Hickmon has been releasing music since 2014, but she didn’t drop her first official EP, titled “Coven Music Session, Vol. 1,” until 2019. Ever since then, Hickmon has had a steadily growing following, signing with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), who is best known for housing SZA and Kendrick Lamar, releasing multiple hit records and receiving three Grammy nominations.
“Skipp” is from her recent album, “Alligator Bites Never Heal” and is my favorite song of the release. Whether it’s the Houston “chopped and screwed” style beat, produced by Monte Booker, or the infectious hook with angelic harmonies, the track all around has a plethora of fun elements. Doechii delivers a short but sweet verse that effectively showcases her flow while keeping her momentum high.
MERCURY – “HIGH2GETBY”
Kennedy Malone, professionally known as Mercury, was born in 2001, in Memphis, Tennessee, but grew up in Atlanta. Mercury grew up liking Slipknot, horror movies, and alternative art, and those influences show visually in music videos and performances, and come across in her sound. She didn’t start making music until one of her online friends, who is also a fellow rapper, suggested she try hopping on a song. She dropped “Merctape” in 2021 and continued releasing ethereal vibes ever since. “HIGH2GETBY” is a great example of this cloudy sound, with the spacey sample and punchy drums. Mercury delivers a calm, lazy, but confident vocal performance, which matches the airiness of the production. Lyrically, Mercury talks about getting high and skating, as well as some of the usual bragging you’d expect to hear in the genre. This track is top-tier late-night cruising material.
BABYXSOSA – “24 HRS P2”
Jasia Abrams, aka Babyxsosa (Sosa), was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 2000. Abrams has always had an interest in the arts, writing songs as early as elementary school. She wouldn’t take it seriously until high school. At the start of her career, she joined a music collective named SURF GANG and would stay as a member until 2021. It’s during this 2019-21 stretch that she started gaining a following, with tracks like “EverywhereIgo” going viral on TikTok, while consistently dropping other singles. In 2021, I heard “EverywhereIgo” all the time on social media, but I didn’t check out the rest of her music until a year later. The standout song was “24 hrs P2,” from the SURF GANG collective project, “SGV1.” This song, produced by E, is a heavily melodic track. From Sosa’s singing to the production, it feels like a late night at the carnival. Sosa’s vocal performance (yet at times simplistic) is my favorite part of the song. The layering and effects on her vocals complement the serene nature of the beat perfectly. “24 hrs P2” has been in my rotation for the past three years.
BBYAFRICKA – “SEASICK”
Jasmine Armani, aka Bbyafricka, hails from Inglewood, California. Bbyafricka initially fell in love with the art of vocal expression while in grade school, but her first chosen outlet was poetry. “Seasick” is a fire track off of her newest EP release with SURF GANG, named “HARD COPY.” This track has a more melancholic vibe, due to the sad distorted beat produced by EVILGIANE and the laid-back delivery of Bbyafricka’s verses and hook. It is lyrically braggadocious with a hint of introspection, as Bbyafricka mentions her regrets of sneaking around with an ex’s best friend and the drama it brought into her life. Overall, this track has a chill vibe with a dark, yet relaxing production.
