When was the last time there was a quality female rapper around?

I’d say it was about five to ten years ago. The female hip hop game is seriously lagging. Back in the 80s and 90s, there was a plethora of female rappers to listen to: Yo-Yo, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Left Eye, and probably a ton of people I’m forgetting. And even during the years of 2000 to about 2005, I’d say we had a few female rappers: Missy Elliott, Eve, etc.

Sorry (but not really) to say it, but Nicki Minaj just isn’t cutting it these says. Being the woman I am, I feel it’s okay to have a strong foundation of male rappers, such as Eminem, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, etc, that are around, but I think it’s always been reassuring to have women as well.

That’s why I’ve decided to provide a list of songs by female rappers that I think are exemplary of good music. Some are old songs, and some are new. Anyway, enjoy the music!

Ayolah

Brandy – I Wanna Be Down (Remix) (feat. MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, & Yo-Yo) 

Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)

TLC – Waterfalls

Lil’ Kim – Hold On (feat. Mary J. Blidge)

Missy Elliott – Hot Boyz (feat. Lil’ Mo, Eve, & Nas) 

Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y. 

AND if you’re looking for up-and-coming female rappers, here are two to interest you. I don’t really know much about current music. I indulge in the oldies, to be honest. But these two ladies have been listed on GlobalGrind’s 10 Favorite Up and Coming Female Rappers as of February 2012. Check ‘em out!

Iggy Azalea – My World

Azealia Banks – 212 (feat. Lazy Jay)

British Children + Quality Rap Music = The Most Adorable Video You Will Ever Watch

It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to say that Azealia Banks is the single best thing to happen to rap music in 2012. Her speedy rhymes and sick beats make almost every track she drops instantly danceable, especially the wildly popular “212″.

I’m a huge fan of the song and her music in general, but the purpose of this post is not to praise her obvious brilliance. It’s to show you CUTE BRITISH CHILDREN reviewing “212″ and dancing around to it and it is literally the cutest thing to ever exist in this world. Literally.

Videos like that make me want to go outside and impregnate the first person I see…or kidnap a child…or maybe just babysit for someone. Yeah, I’d say that’s much more likely.

Have a great week, y’all!

Josh

Three Tracks I’m All Over This Week

Midterms have been stressing me out lately, forcing me to procrastinate and find new music to make me all happy again. I’m not too optimistic about the grades I’ll be getting on my exams, but at least I have a few new tracks to repeatedly jam out to.

Prepare to get obsessed!

Azealia Banks, a 20-year old rapper straight outta Harlem, put out club-banger “212” a month or so ago and apparently it’s been earning her major cred in the indie community ever since. The track blends several innuendo-laden verses with a memorable hook and a sick beat. “212” definitely makes me think 2012 will be The Year of Azealia.

Florence and the Machine‘s second album Ceremonials isn’t set to be released until next week, but it did leak in its entirety last week and I’ve been listening to it on loop ever since. Overall, the album is incredible and a step up from her already-impressive debut. “No Light, No Light” is the initial standout, evoking the aethereal quality of Lungs and somehow kicking its epicness up a few notches.

One of my fondest summer memories is sitting on a small Bonnaroo stage as Aunt Martha played an acoustic set for an intimate crowd. I can’t say I’d heard of them before that day, but randomly stumbling upon their performance proved to be majorly rewarding and I was made an instant fan. “Fifteen Countries” comes right off their new album Norway, ME and listening to it breaks my heart every single time (the masochist in my very much enjoys this).

Have an awesome week, y’all!

- Josh