Episode 3
From the 1990s onwards, hip-hop women reached the very top, from Lauryn Hill and Eve to Nicki Minaj and beyond.
Hip-hop’s great women pioneers have always had to struggle for recognition alongside male stars, both in Britain and in the US. But starting in the mid-90s, women have climbed to the very top. Icons Eve and Rah Digga reveal their struggles to reach both artistic and commercial success, alongside all-time greats Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliott.
After this formidable group of women, it took time for a new generation of female stars to emerge, but in Britain in the 2000s, hip-hop women took off again. Lisa Maffia, Estelle and Speech Debelle all reveal their own stories, and there's a look at the younger generation of female megastars: Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
Fifty years after the first pioneers, hip-hop women have well and truly made this music their own.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
You are at the last episode
Clip
![]()
Eve on being called a 'female' rapper
Duration: 00:26
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Neneh Cherry |
| Series Producer | Karen Gabay |
| Executive Producer | Emma Read |
| Executive Producer | Dollan Cannell |
| Executive Producer | Ashley Kennedy |
| Production Company | Emporium Productions Ltd |
