PAS #8: Who Run the World?

Now that I’ve covered the misogyny in urban music, more specifically in rap, let’s discuss what women have contributed to the genres of Hip Hop, Rap and R&B besides just being video vixens or objects of desires.

Up until this point, most of the artists I either referenced or recommend have been men. Men aren’t the only ones contributing to the genre’s success. I would like to use this post to highlight some revolutionary women and their accomplishments in a male-dominated genre of music.

Beyonce Knowles

My Favorite Song: Scared of Lonely

I felt the need to get the most obvious out of the way, Beyonce.

What more to say than merely her name? Beyonce is one of the most well known black artist and artist in general. Beyonce has been nominated for a Grammy 63 times and has won 22 of those times making her the second most awarded female singer in Grammy History and most nominated women. She’s also the highest paid black artist of all time. Beyonce has had six of her albums debut at Number 1, making her the first artist to accomplish that. And to top it all off she’s sold 118 million solo albums, and 60 million with Destiny’s Child, making her one of the highest-selling artists of all time. I personally enjoy Beyonce’s music. It’s because she was one of the first black female artists I was exposed to growing up. What I like most about it, is that she has such an extensive catalog of music to chose from that no matter what mood I’m in I can find a song by her to relate to. If I’m angry, there’s “Don’t Hurt Yourself”, If I’m crushing on that random kid in my psych class, “Crazy in Love,” When I’m on top of the world “Flawless,” When I’m getting ready “Upgrade U” If I need a song to fall asleep “Ava Maria.” You get the idea.

Whitney Houston

My Favorite Song: Heartbreak Hotel

The Queen of Pop, Whitney Houston was a hugely successful artist. In her lifetime she won around 60 music awards with 30 of them coming from the Billboard Music Awards alone. She had 4 number one albums, 11 number one songs, and two Emmy awards. Whitney Houston has sold 170 Million albums, singles, and videos worldwide. Whitney Houston had a voice like no other which is probably why “I Will Always Love You” sold 12 million copies worldwide and stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks in 1992.

Queen Latifah

My Favorite Song: U.N.I.T.Y

Before Queen Latifah was in Star, Hairspray and various other acting roles, she was a rapper. She started her career by beatboxing for a hip-hop group and then she became an original member of the group Flavor Unit, which was a group of MC’s. She released her first single in 1988 called “Wrath of My Madness.” She left her imprint in hip-hop by rapping about issues relevant to black women such as harassment, domestic violence, and relationships. What makes her notable is that she is one of the original female rappers that essentially paved the way for female rappers such as Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B.

Lauryn Hill

My Favorite Song: Ex-Factor

Lauryn Hill got her start in the group the Fugees in which she was the only female member. Like all great artists, she went solo and released The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. This album topped the Billboard 200 chart for four weeks, and the Billboard R&B Album charts for six weeks. It sold over 19 million copies. At the 1999 Grammys, Lauryn Hill broke records. She was the first the first woman to be nominated in ten categories in a single year, and the first woman to win five trophies in one night. By the end of 1999, she had earned an estimated 25 million dollars from record sales. Lauryn Hill is the only female artist to win the Album of the Year award in two consecutive years.

Below is a list of other accomplished female artists and my favorite song:

Aaliyah- “The One I Gave My Heart To”

Alicia Keys- “If I Ain’t Got You”

Cardi B- “Bickenhead”

Ciara – “Never Ever”

Erykah Badu – “Tyrone”

Janelle Monae – “Yoga”

Janet Jackson- “Would You Mind?”

Lil Kim- “Magic Stick”

Mariah Carey- “I’m That Chick”/ “All I Want For Christmas Is You”

Mary J. Blige- “Just Fine”

Missy Elliot- “Work It”