By Simone Barton
Women and non-binary individuals have been taking rap and hip hop by storm in recent years. However, if you take this year’s Grammy nominations into account you wouldn’t realise this, with no female artists being nominated in any of the rap and hip hop categories. Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March here’s 5 female and gender non-conforming rappers creating waves in the genre:
Ashnikko
Ashnikko hit the spotlight in 2019 with single ‘Stupid’ becoming viral on social media, especially on Tik Tok and being shared by the likes of Miley Cyrus. The 24-year-old has created her own unique sound by mixing often explicit lyrics with feminist messages, and industrial beats. With over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and being one of the only female acts at this years Reading and Leeds festival her time in the limelight has only just started.
Doja Cat
Another artist who has gained momentum due to viral songs is Doja Cat. Song ‘Moo0!’Â currently has over 65 million views on YouTube and showcases the humour that Doja often has in her music videos, lyrics and interviews that have made her a relatable star. Breaking away from the internet she has also been featured on the soundtrack for the latest DC movie Birds of Prey. She will be at Wireless Festival in London this July, which due to criticism last year has included more female artists on their line up.
Rico Nasty
Another name on this years Wireless line up and Birds of Prey soundtrack is Rico Nasty. Part of what makes Rico stand out from other rappers at the moment is her combination of punk and rap, both in her music and styling. Although she has stated she doesn’t see herself as punk she has cited Joan Jett as one of her inspirations, which can be seen in her badass, assertive attitude. She has also featured alongside Doja Cat on single ‘Tia Tamera’, showing that collaboration has become key amongst female artists in rap.
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Hot Girl Summer’Â was the summer anthem for many in 2019, with currently over 17 million streams online and becoming a Top 10 single on the Billboard charts. Her influence and success has been recognised with her feature, alongside SZA and Normani, on the cover of Rolling Stone’s second annual Women Shaping the Future issue.
Princess Nokia
Breaking even more moulds is Princess Nokia, who has described herself as ‘gender non-conforming’. Her popular single is ‘Tomboy’ which is an example of how she expresses her queerness in her music, which she further explores in new albums Everything is Beautiful (which she has described as celebrating her sensitive, feminine side) and Everything Sucks which will be released on February 26.
5 Female and Non-Binary Rappers Breaking the Mould
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