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Short ReadsTHANK HER LATER: YEAR IN WOMEN

THANK HER LATER: YEAR IN WOMEN

With 2021 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year in music as well as those artists who will be affecting 2022. In this regard, we’re focused on the women in hip-hop and the sensational year they had. Rap has long been oversaturated with male voices but many women such as Lil Kim, MC Lyte, Missy Elliott & Nicki Minaj to name a few, have been trailblazers; Breaking down barriers and paving the way for the next generation who belong in the artistic sport.

We are now witnesses to a renaissance happening with the emergence of various talented female musicians. This breath of fresh air has been prevalent and allowed fans to constantly hear a voice with a unique style. Whether the artistry is filled with wordplay or the record contains an energy that can’t be duplicated, each musician performs well in the lane they choose. You could make a case that many women artistically are more versatile than their male counterparts in Hip-Hop.

There were numerous moments that stood out and were worthy of being highlighted. NP has featured a few names contributing to pushing the agenda.

Since arriving on the scene, Megan Thee Stallion has been a star and left zero confusion on who is leading the current movement. After her, we get into a plethora of names such as Latto, who’s had a phenomenal year which included an unforgettable LA Leakers Freestyle & the City Girls who appeared on one of the hottest remixes in BRS Kash’s Throat Baby. The star duo even experimented on records without one another. JT appeared on Summer Walker’s Billboard #1 album Still Over It with Ex For A Reason & Yung Miami assisted in a major way to Quavo’s freaknik themed, club anthem, Strub The Ground.

Saweetie has been a force when discussing influence, branching off into multiple industries; Continuing to put her imprint on the culture. She also gifted listeners with one of the top records on the year & now Grammy nominated in Best Friendfeaturing pop mega-star Doja Cat.

Another major highlight of 2021 was the arrival & dominant performances of many upcoming names. Two to note from Houston are Monaleo, whose smash hit Beating Down Your Block is radiating in the streets and KenTheMan, recently releasing her stellar What’s My Name project. Kali is another name to pay attention t0. She’s had a prominent opening campaign with viral hits like Do A Bitch & MMM MMM while recently making waves with her own take on Yung Miami’s Rap Freaks.

Bia, who released her FOR CERTAIN Deluxe, received arguably the most significant co-sign of the year from the queen, Nicki Minaj via IG Live. They would announce and release their collaborative Whole Lotta Money RemixLakeyah had an immense moment herself, staking her rightful claim as the next big thing coming out of Milwaukee. The Quality Control star’s My Time mixtape did not disappoint and was assembled as a Gangsta Grillz album which is a series of projects hosted by the legendary DJ Drama.

It’s worth noting, Coi Leray had one of the best years in music. Her now platinum record, No More Parties, produced by Maaly Raw controlled the streets for what seems like the entirety of 2021 and received a surplus of recognition globally and on the famed app, TikTok. She also had the opportunity to tour alongside fellow stars Lil Baby & Lil Durk in the Fall. The star’s impact has made her a name we won’t be able to forget.

Baby Tate released one of the better deluxe albums in After The Rain accompanied with many jaw-dropping visuals. Flo Milli & Rubi Rose earned their spots onto the 2021 XXL Freshman Class. Both delivering freestyles that were among some of the best.

Dreezy’s verse on Icewear Vezzo’s Need Me is one of the more underrated verses this year. She also received writing credits on H.E.R’s now Grammy nominated album, Back of My MindRico Nasty has continued her dominance in hip-hop spanning a few years and recently teased the idea of a joint-project with Flo Milli.

Lastly, Tierra Whack has been one of hip-hop’s under-appreciated lyricists but continues to leave her mark. Appearing on multiple soundtracks and last week, releasing an impressive 3 song EP titled, Rap?, she continues to shine.

To end the year, Halle Berry & Cardi B teamed up to give fans the first ever all-female soundtrack for the Netlfix film Bruised. The soundtrack features some of the names we’ve mentioned plus other talented women such as Young M.A, Rapsody, Erica Banks, Big Bottle Wyanna & DreamDoll.

The overall landscape of hip-hop is shifting and more women are rising to the occasion each day. The movement is necessary for the progression of the forever evolving genre. As the new year commences, the impact fans are witnessing will flow with abundance and we’ll continue to see the execution of these extraordinary careers.

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