Historically speaking, female rappers have always been placed on the sub bench of the music industry. It didn’t matter how talented, how lyrical they were nor the large audience they commanded, they were always subbed in the 80^th minute.

There’s almost an unspoken rule within the industry that only one Queen can firmly sit on the throne, the crown cannot be shared. Whether it was Lil Kim and Trina, Nicki and Remy or Nicki and Cardi B, the precedent has been set that the spotlight cannot be shared. However, the rules to the game are being shaken and dismantled. There’s been an insurgence of female rappers; Megan The Stallion, Rico Nasty, Dreezy, Saweetie, Ms Banks, City Girls – the list is infinite. Each of these rappers are making a lot of noise in an industry which previously told them to rap one at a time. The rap name “Doll” has been jokingly been dubbed the “Lil” of the female rap scene – a jab at the number of female rappers who have “Doll” in their rap name.

What initially started off as a joke has shifted to a conversation regarding the number of female rappers and if some rapper’s presence is superfluous. There can be just as many “Dolls” as there are “Lils” and “YBNs”. Despite bearing the same name, each rapper represents and speaks for different woman and tells her own female experience. There never has, nor is an issue with there being too many male rappers?

The rise and prominence of these female rappers has been beautiful to see. Whether it’s Rico Nasty’s rock-infused music or City Girls creating their own strand of feminism (which is yet to be properly defined by sociologists and feminist writers), each of these women are allowing women to feel empowered in some capacity. The truth is, you can never have too many female rappers, the industry has simply been built in a way in which Queens must reign over tenures. But it’s 2019 and I am glad to see female rappers make a lot of noise in an industry which previously told them to wait for their turn to rap.