The New Wave of Female Emcees: 3 Alternatives to Nicki Minaj

It's no secret that when it comes to women in hip hop only one name has pretty much dominated the music scene recently. Nicki Minaj has turned the female rapper into a commodity that far surpasses just spitting a hot verse while looking sexy.  She has garnered popular success that rivals top musicians of all sounds but unbeknownst to her, her mass appeal has also pigeonholed and reduced the female emcees to becoming just eye candy who can rap (some of them hardly). 

Coming up, I was fortunate to be blessed some of the most prolific women emcees that included Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot, Eve, and scores of others. Women in hip hop then offered little girls like me alternatives other than just being the baddest chick. They were intelligent, forward thinking, and most of all they were beasts on the mic. 

No shade to Nicki or "The Barbs" but we wanted to offer some other options to the female emcee. 

3. Rhapsody
Hometown: Snow Hill, NC
Affiliation: 9th Wonder; Kooley High

This southern belle is a lyrical beast whose smooth flow reminds me of a MC Lyte for the new millennium. In a industry that only sells female rappers as extremely hardcore or ultra sexy, Rhapsody is the perfect medium between the two. 

http://www.reverbnation.com/rapsody





2. Angel Haze
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Affiliation: N/A

Angel Haze went through a lot growing up and as evident in the depth of her single "Cleaning Out My Closet". This Detroit native may be known for her twitter spat with Harlem b-girl Azealia Banks, but with her debut album set to be released later this year on Republic Records, she'll soon be recognized for much more than that. 

http://www.angelhazemusic.com/#!All



3. K'La
Hometown: Gary, IN
Affiliation: Def Jam

K'La has been featured on A Soul Sistah's Life blog before so it's no surprise that she is number 1. After making waves with her mix tape, "The Coldest Winter", K'la has done it again with her latest project, "Everyday People." Yet to set a date on her official release, this songbird/rapper is poised to make a wave in hip hop. 


http://www.islanddefjam.com/artist/home.aspx?artistID=7446