When it comes to hip-hop, women have always been a mainstay, ushering in new cultural trends that the world follows. From pioneers like Roxanne Shante, who set the game on fire with bodacious rap battling skills, to Missy Elliot’s unique energetic production and musical foresight, the industry owes much of its popularity to female emcees.
As the genre continues to shapeshift, young female rappers are taking their rightful places in today’s music scene with the help of social media. Platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram allow artists to expand their reach to broader audiences with the click of a button while solidifying their social capital and influence-- and we’re here for it.
From their personalities to their unique sounds, Camille’s Corner is celebrating the beauty and the brains of some of the most talented young female rappers today.
Flo Milli
Alabama-native Tamia Monique Carter, affectionately known as the artist Flo Milli is the epitome of confidence. Her lyrical banter made her a fan favorite on Tik Tok in 2019 after she released ‘Beef FloMix.’ After inking a publishing deal with PULSE Music Group in 2020, she’s continued to lay a stake in the game with hits like ‘Conceited’ and ‘We Not Humping.’ Her latest album, ‘You Still Here H*?’, sent social media into a frenzy as she showed off her exceptional songwriting skills atop various melodies.
Baby Tate
From an early age, Tate Sequoya Farris, professionally known as (Young) Baby Tate, displayed an affinity for music and the arts. The daughter of singer, and songwriter Dionne Farris, she began playing piano and dancing as a child. She exploded on the scene in 2020 after releasing the much-needed self-affirming single, ‘I am,’ While still a newbie on the scene, her musical aptitude earned her a spot on Rolling Stone’s Breakthrough 25 Chart, and she isn’t showing any signs of slowing down soon.
Rico Nasty
Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly goes by the name Rico Nasty. She is an Afro-Latina with a bark that matches her bite. Her outspoken demeanor and colorful aesthetic keep fans on their toes, wondering what she’ll do next. An advocate for women empowerment, she has become an influential voice of her generation through her transparent lyrics that profoundly resonate with her fans.
Musically, she began making her mark after dropping two mixtapes in 2016 entitled ‘The Rico Story’ and Sugar Trap, which steadily grew her following online. Her hit song, ‘Poppin’, made its way to HBO’s show, Insecure in 2017, and the rest is history.
Lakeyah
Lakeyah Danaee Robinson is a force to be reckoned with in songwriting. After her #SoGoneChallenge featuring instrumentals from Monica in 2016 went viral on Facebook, she knew it was time to level up. From an early age, she enjoyed writing poetry and decided to transition to rap after encouragement from her friends and family.
Freestyling covers of hit songs would become her claim to fame as it would be the spark that landed her a deal with Quality Control and, most recently, Motown Records. Her latest single featuring rapper Latto entitled, 'Mind Your Business,’ has become a viral sensation with fans dancing and clamoring over the young phenom.
The Young Female Rappers Taking Over The Charts
by Eartha Terrell – July 29, 2022
