From Nicki Minaj to Lil' Kim, here's a list of the best female rappers who have earned recognition due to their mesmerizing voices and unique style.
by Chhavi Puri | Updated on Jul 22, 2022 09:35 AM IST | 545.3K
Best female rappers & their net worth | Top Female rappers of all time
Women are breaking all stereotypes these days and marking their place in every industry, including the hip-hop music industry. Female rappers are putting on their best efforts to carve out a space for themselves in the rapping industry, and so far, they are doing great! Many rappers are entering the industry every year, and over the years, we have seen promising rappers who have proved themselves with their ability, and musical skill and shown the world that they deserve to be the best female rappers.
But have you ever wondered, who was the first female rapper? Sharon Green, also known by the name MC Sha-Rock is considered the "first female rapper." Today, there are many popular female rappers with a big net worth, and in this article, we are going to provide you with a list of the best female rappers of all time.
Best female rappers & their net worth
1. MC Lyte
Lana Michele Moorer, known as MC Lyte is one of the best female rappers of the 80s and has released various popular albums. She is an American DJ, rapper, entrepreneur, and actor. She is one of the eminent personalities in the rapping industry, and gained fame in the late 1980s. She became the first-ever solo female rapper to release a full-length album, Lyte As A Rock.
Her debut album was released by First Priority Music/Atlantic Record on 13th September 1988. The album was Number 50 on the Billboard US Top R&B Album.
She released various brilliant songs like "Paper Thin", "Ruffneck", "Cha Cha Cha", and "10% Dis", and these songs became so popular that MC Lyte became the first female solo rapper to achieve a gold certification.
She has even collaborated with other famous artists such as Moby, Janet Jackson, Xscape, Beyoncé, Brandy, and so on.
With so many hit albums like Ain't No Other, Bad As I Wanna B, and Eyes On This, she became a pioneering figure in the music industry and a role model for many female rap artists.
MC Lyte became a pioneering figure in hip hop and has been cited as an influence on many female rap figures.
In addition to her musical career, she has worked as a writer, DJ, and actor. She made her directorial debut in 2022 with the short movie 'Break Up In Love.' MC Lyte believes a lot in doing charity and works a lot for her foundation, Hip Hop Sisters.
MC Lyte has won various accolades including Icon Lifetime Achievement I Am Hip Hop Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards, 2013 for her contribution to hip-hop culture, the Trail Blazer Award at Trumpet Awards, 2019, etc.
MC Lyte net worth
The net worth of MC Lyte is estimated to be around $8 million.
Songs by MC Lyte
1. Poor Georgie
2. Have U Ever
3. Cha Cha Cha
4. Paper Thin
5. When In Love
6. Lyte As A Rock
7. I Go On
8. I Am a Woman
9. Ruffneck
10. Cold Rock a Party
2. Nicki Minaj
When we are talking about the top female rappers, there's no chance we can miss Nicki Minaj. She is one of the richest rappers in the world and is often cited as the "Queen of Hip Hop".
She was first noticed by the audience after releasing mixtapes between 2007 and 2009. Nicki rose to fame with her debut album, Pink Friday in 2010 which topped the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
Her versatility, style statement, and sharp lyrics earned her the fame and recognition that she truly deserved. She marked her territory and earned the love of people with the song 'Monster' and her singing made her pop out in this track where two rap legends Jay Z and Kanye West are present.
Nicki also released a follow-up album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), that reached no. 1 in many countries. Her third studio album The Pinkprint explored personal topics and marked her return to hip-hop culture.
Nicki Minaj has won numerous prestigious awards and is considered one of the best female rappers of all time.
Nicki Minaj net worth
The net worth of Nicki Minaj is estimated to be around $100 million.
Best songs by Nicki Minaj
1. Super Bass
2. Bang Bang
3. Right By My Side
4. Highschool
5. Monster
6. Make Me Proud
7. Your Love
8. The Boys
9. Hey Mama
10. I'm The Best
3. Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is a famous songwriter, rapper, singer, and actress.
She was born on May 26, 1975, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
She is one of the most influential rappers and is known as one of the best female rappers of all time. She is best known for her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and for being a member of Fugees. She is highly respected for making melodic rapping and for bringing hip hop to popular music.
Winner of eight Grammy Awards and NAACP's President's Award, Lauryn Hill is surely a prominent figure in the hip-hop music world.
Lauryn Hill net worth
The net worth of Lauryn Hill is about $9 million.
Songs by Lauryn Hill
1. Ex-Factor
2. Doo Wop
3. Turn Your Lights Down Low
4. Tell Him
5. Lost Ones
6. No Woman, No Cry
7. I Used To Love Him
8. Superstar
9. Final Hour
10. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
4. Cardi B
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known by her stage name Cardi B, is a popular American songwriter and rapper. She is one of the best female rappers from New York and became an internet sensation by becoming immensely popular on Instagram and Vine.
She released her first studio album, Invasion of Privacy in 2018, which became a hit and even peaked at No.1 on the Billboard 200. Cardi B won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album as a solo artist for the album Invasion of Privacy.
Her songs "Bodak Yellow", and "I Like It" became hugely popular and broke many records, eventually making her the first-ever female rapper to achieve a diamond-certified song by the RIAA.
Cardi B's unique fashion taste is loved by all, and apart from music, she is involved in other ventures too like brand endorsements, clothing lines, and so on.
Cardi B net worth
The net worth of Cardi B is estimated to be $40 million.
Songs by Cardi B
1. I Like It
2. Bodak Yellow
3. Bitter
4. Drip
5. Pull Up
6. Lick
7. WAP
8. Shake It
9. Money
10. Thru Your Phone
5. Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones, known professionally as Lil' Kim was born on July 11, 1974, in New York, US. She has had a troubled past but that did not stop her from pursuing a career in music and becoming a fashionista as well as one of the best female rappers of all time.
She released her album Hard Core in 1996 for which she got positive feedback.
Some of her most popular albums are The Notorious K.I.M., La Bella Mafia, The Naked Truth, and so on.
Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year in prison in 2005 for lying to the jury about the involvement of her friends in a shooting.
After she was released from prison, she released various songs that became popular.
She is often cited as "Queen Bee" by the media and her fans. Lil' Kim is known for her impeccable fashion style, risk-taking abilities, and luxurious lifestyle. She is not only known for being one of the best female rappers and fashion icons but also for helping women embrace their femininity.
Lil' Kim net worth
The net worth of Lil' Kim is estimated to be around $1 million.
Best songs by Lil' Kim
1. The Jump Off
2. Crush on You
3. Magic Stick
4. Big Momma Thang
5. Victory
6. I Need You Tonight
7. Came Back for You
8. Nasty One
9. Kitty Box
10. Aunt Dot
6. Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott was born on 1st July 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S., and is one of the richest female rappers in 2022. She started her music journey in the early-mid 90s with R&B girl group Sista, and later on, joined Swing Mob.
Missy Elliott has worked on various projects with her childhood friend Timbaland and other popular artists.
After doing various collaborations and guest appearances, she released her debut album in 1997 under the name Supa Dupa Fly. The album was a major hit and reached No.3 on the Billboard 200.
Her second album was released in the year 1999 under the name Da Real World and it too became popular.
Iconology was the first extended play released by her in 2019. Missy has sold more than 30 million records in the US and even won four Grammy Awards.
According to Billboard, 2017, she is the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history.
Missy Elliott is the first-ever female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She truly is a legend and can make anyone fall in love with her music.
Missy Elliott net worth
As of July 2022, the net worth of Missy Elliott is estimated to be around $50 million.
Songs by Missy Elliott
1. Work It
2. Lose Control
3. Throw It Back
4. The Rain
5. Cool Off
6. We Run This
7. Why I Still Love You
8. Best Friends
9. Take Away
10. Shake Your Pom Pom
7. Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, known by her stage name Megan Thee Stallion, was born on February 15, 1995, in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
She first got attention when her videos of her freestyling started getting popular on Instagram, a famous social media platform.
She released a mixtape Fever in 2019, and an extended play Suga in 2020, both of which were major hits and even reached the no. 10 on the Billboard 200.
Her singles and albums gained massive attention from the mainstream and soon she became one of the best female rappers.
Megan Thee Stallion is the recipient of numerous accolades, including BET Hip Hop Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Grammy Awards, and BET Awards.
Megan Thee Stallion was on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.
After Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion became the second female rapper to win the Best New Artist Award at the Grammys.
Apart from music, she is quite focused on her education too and completed her graduation from Texas Southern University with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Health Administration in 2021.
Megan Thee Stallion net worth
The net worth of Megan Thee Stallion is estimated to be $8 million.
Songs by Megan Thee Stallion
1. Savage
2. Body
3. Megan's Piano
4. Cry Baby
5. Eat It
6. Freak Nasty
7. Movie
8. Pop It
9. All Dat
10. Turned in Freestyle
8. Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens, known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is one of the best female rappers. She was born on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, and is a popular American actress, rapper, and singer.
In 1989, Queen Latifah signed with Tommy Boy Records, and the same year, she released her debut album All Hail the Queen. The album featured a classic song "Ladies First" that became a major hit. Two years later, Queen Latifah released her second and last album with Tommy Boy Records entitled "Nature of a Sista."
Her third album "Black Reign" was released in 1993 and featured the single "U.N.I.T.Y." for which she won a Grammy Award. The song became a major hit and was a revolutionary song as it talked about the violence against women and the objectification of Black female sexuality.
She has released various albums, and all of them are popular. Queen Latifah's incredible work in music, television, and film has garnered her a lot of awards including an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.
Queen Latifah net worth
The net worth of Queen Latifah is roughly $70 million.
Songs by Queen Latifah
1. U.N.I.T.Y.
2. Give Me Your Love
3. Dance for Me
4. Come into My House
5. Come So Far
6. Simply Beautiful
7. Poetry Man
8. Weekend Love
9. Walk the Dinosaur
10. Wrath of My Madness
The best female rappers have surely made lots of contributions to the hip-hop industry, by displaying their talent through unique voices, and rapping styles. We hope that there is an increase in female rappers in the hip-hop industry and that they get the recognition, fame, and love that they deserve.
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FAQs
Who is the richest female rapper list? ›
As of November 2022, Nicki Minaj's net worth is roughly $75 million, making her the richest female rapper in the world.
Who's richer Nicki or Cardi? ›Is Cardi B the richest female rapper? No, Cardi B isn't the richest female rapper. That title belongs to Nicki Minaj.
Who is the richest rapper for 2022? ›1. Kanye West. No other than the famous Kanye West tops the list of the richest rappers of 2022 with a net worth estimated to be around whopping two billion dollars. His music records have sold more than 160 million copies and he has won a total of 24 Grammy Awards.
Who is the top 5 highest paid rappers? ›- Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter ($1.5 billion) “Nobody touched a billi[on] until Hov did,” Jay-Z raps in his recent verse of DJ Khaled's recent track “God Did,” and it's true. ...
- Sean “Diddy” Combs ($1 billion) ...
- Kanye “Ye” West ($500 million) ...
- Gilbert “Berner” Milam ($410 million) ...
- Andre “Dr.
1. Queen Latifah – Greatest Female Rappers.
Who is the Queen of Rap 2022? ›Nicki Minaj: Queen of Rap (2022) | Radio Times.
Who are the big 3 rappers? ›Ranking the 'Big 3' (Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole) Every Year Since 2010 | Complex.
Who is rap queen in World 2022? ›Nicki Minaj: Queen of Rap (2022) - IMDb.
Is Doja cat rich? ›How much is Doja Cat worth in 2022? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Doja Cat's net worth is an estimated $8 million. The rapper's net worth is made up of streaming revenue from her lucrative music career, which includes over $14,000 in earnings from her viral single “Say So” and over $12,000 from “MOOO!
What is Rihanna's net worth? ›Does Cardi B donate money? ›
Cardi B surprises her former Bronx middle school with $100,000 donation for the arts. The “WAP” rapper spoke about the importance of education.
Who are the 10 highest paid rappers? ›| Position | Rapper | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jay-Z | $1.5 Billion |
| 2 | Diddy | $1.0 Million |
| 3 | Berner | $420 Million |
| 4 | Kanye West (Ye) | $500 Million |
Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs are the wealthiest current hip-hop acts, according to a list compiled by former longtime Forbes editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg.
Who is the highest paid rapper? ›On Friday, October 28, former Forbes entertainment editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg released his new list of the Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists of 2022. In his list, he calculates the top five highest-earning rappers in the game right now. JAY-Z still reigns at the top of the list but his net worth increased to $1.5 billion.
Who is the most legendary rapper? ›- #1 Jay-Z.
- #2 Lil Wayne.
- #3 Kanye West.
- #4 Kendrick Lamar.
- #5 Notorious B.I.G.
- #6 Tupac Shakur.
- #7 Dr. Dre.
- #8 Snoop Dogg.
Nicki Minaj Net Worth 2022: Nicki Minaj is a famous rapper, actress, singer, songwriter, and model from Trinidad and Tobago. As of this year, Nicki Minaj's net worth is $130 Million USD.
How much money is Cardi worth? ›| Net Worth: | $40 Million |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Oct 11, 1992 (30 years old) |
| Place of Birth | New York City, U.S. |
| Gender | Female |
Prior to the female and male categories, she received the award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2002 for "Get Ur Freak On". This marked the second time a female had received the award for Best Rap Solo Performance (Queen Latifah was presented the honor for "U.N.I.T.Y." at the 37th Grammy Awards in 1995).
What is the most successful female rap album? ›Salt 'N' Pepa – Very Necessary (1993)
Salt 'N' Peppa achieved Gold and Platinum statuses thanks to their debut album Hot, Cool & Vicious. However, let's not forget their fourth record, Very Necessary, which sold over seven million copies worldwide and became the highest-selling album by a female rap act.
Madonna is believed to have sold the most records among any female music artists in history, with 335 million records sold worldwide, recognized by the Guinness World Records and other major media outlets while the best-selling Latin artist of all time is Shakira with more than 80 million records sold.
Who won best female rapper 2022 BET awards? ›
— Memphis rap artist GloRilla left the 2022 BET Hip-Hop Awards with her first win, taking home the award for “Best Breakthrough Artist”. The pre-taped awards show aired on BET Tuesday, Oct. 4. With tears in her eyes, she acknowledged those who supported her most in her acceptance speech.
Who are the top 3 rappers 2022? ›- 21 Savage – American Rapper.
- Baby Keem – American Rapper.
- Roddy Ricch – American Rapper.
- Lil Uzi Vert – American Rapper.
- Lil Durk – American Rapper.
- Lil Wayne – American Rapper.
- Kanye West.
- DaBaby.
The major pioneers of rapping were Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Kurtis Blow, and the Cold Crush Brothers, whose Grandmaster Caz is controversially considered by some to be the true author of some of the strongest lyrics in “Rapper's Delight.” These early MCs and deejays constituted rap's old school.
Who is the top 5 rappers in the world? ›- EMINEM. 227 million units sold.
- DRAKE. 152 million units sold.
- KANYE WEST. 140 million units sold.
- JAY-Z. 125 million units sold.
- LIL WAYNE. 110 million units sold.
- NICKI MINAJ. 106 million units sold.
- FLO RIDA. 102 million units sold.
- TUPAC SHAKUR. 75 million units sold.
- Kurtis Blow. He became the first rapper to sign a major label record deal (Mercury) and the first rapper to appear on national television (Soul Train).
- MC Happer. Hammer is the first rapper to have an album go Diamond.
- The SugarHill Gang. ...
- Outkast. ...
- Three 6 Mafia.
Sharon Green (born 1962), considered the "first female rapper" or emcee, known by the rap moniker MC Sha-Rock. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, she grew up in the South Bronx, New York City during the earliest years of hip hop culture.
Is Katy Perry rich? ›How rich is Katy Perry? With a reported wealth of $330 million, Katy Perry is one of the richest female pop stars in the world. She continues to make pop music, and she has plans to tour in the future.
What is the net worth of Selena Gomez? ›Across her various enterprises and as a result of her prolific performing career, Gomez has an estimated net worth of $95 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
How much is Donald Trump worth? › Who is the youngest billionaire? ›As a kid, Alexandr Wang was a math whiz who liked participating in national math and coding competitions.
How much money is Ed Sheeran worth? ›
Thanks to hits like “Shape of You,” “Bad Habits,” “Castle on the Hill” and “Perfect,” Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has an estimated net worth of $200 million dollars, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
How much does it cost to hire Cardi B? ›TMZ shared that if anyone's looking to book Cardi B for an upcoming gig, she wants at least $300,000. She also doesn't want to be too far from home, of course, because her daughter is only 2 months old as of now.
Does Cardi B post on OnlyFans? ›OnlyFans has become a major revenue stream for rappers. According to a report, Cardi B earned nearly $10 million a month on OnlyFans last year. According to a Variety article, published on Thursday (Sept. 1), OnlyFans delivered their financial results for the year ending Nov.
Did Cardi B pay for funerals? ›According to CNN, Cardi has offered to pay the complete funeral costs for those families who have lost loved ones in a deadly fire that ripped through a Bronx apartment building.
How much is Ice Cube? ›...
Ice Cube Biography.
| Real Name/Full Name | O'Shea Jackson |
|---|---|
| Profession: | American rapper, actor, and producer |
| Net Worth: | $190 million |
| Last Updated: | 2022 |
Rappers raise money from record sales, live performances, and tour appearances. They also get royalties from third parties as their music is sold, published, broadcasted, or monetized. Rappers may also raise money by selling their own promotional goods or endorsing items.
Who is the top 20 rappers of all time? ›- 2Pac. Tupac Amaru Shakur also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. ...
- Eminem. ...
- The Notorious B.I.G. ...
- Jay-Z. ...
- Nas. ...
- Rakim. ...
- Kendrick Lamar. ...
- Lil Wayne.
Jay Z - Before he was a businessman with an empire at his feet, Jay Z was another poor kid from Marcy Housing Projects in Brooklyn raised by a single mother and involved in crime.
How much is Puff Daddy worth? ›...
| Sean Combs | |
|---|---|
| Formerly of | Diddy – Dirty Money |
| Website | www.diddy.com |
Jay-Z was the first rapper to cross the billion-dollar net worth mark, and he was the richest rapper in the world up until April 2020, when Kanye took the #1 spot. As of November 2022, Jay-Z's net worth is roughly $1.3 billion.
Who is the most respected rapper? ›
- 1 Snoop Dogg97%
- 2 Kanye West96%
- 3 Eminem94%
- 4 Ice Cube94%
- 5 Jay-Z93%
- 6 Vanilla Ice92%
- 7 MC Hammer91%
- 8 50 Cent90%
| Position | Musician | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rihanna | $1.7 Billion |
| 2 | Jay-Z | $1.5 Billion |
| 3 | Paul McCartney | $1.2 Billion |
| 4 | Andrew Lloyd Webber | $1.2 Billion |
- Kanye West. Net Worth: $6.6 billion. ...
- Jay Z. Net Worth: $1.3 billion. ...
- Sean Combs / Diddy. Net Worth: $900 million. ...
- Dr. Dre. ...
- Russell Simmons. Net Worth: $340 million. ...
- Eminem. Net Worth: $230 million. ...
- Pharrell Williams. Net Worth: $200 million. ...
- Master P. Net Worth: $200 million.
Rihanna's stake in the company, combined with a 30% stake in the lingerie line Savage X Fenty and money generated during her 16-year career as a recording artist, take her fortune to $1.7bn, according to Forbes.
Who is the Top 10 Richest rappers Alive? ›- Snoop Dogg's Net worth: $150 Million.
- Lil Wayne's Net Worth: $160 Million.
- Ice Cube's Net Worth: $160 Million.
- Ronald 'Slim' Williams' Net Worth: $170 Million.
- Drake's Net Worth: 180 million.
- Pharrell William's Net Worth: 200 million.
- Master P's Net Worth: $200 Million.
As of July 2022, Celebrity Net Worth reports that Beyoncé is worth $500 million! I'll allow you a minute to process. While Beyonce is worth $500 million, Forbes reported that Jay-Z is worth $1.4 billion (thanks in part to those Tidal/champs sales!).
Who is the best selling female rapper of all time? ›Missy Elliott — With over 30 million records sold, this Virginia native is reportedly the top-selling female rapper of all time and deserves to someday be enshrined in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside such fellow hip-hop heroes as Public Enemy and 2Pac.
Who are the top 10 richest females in the world? ›| No. | Name | Net worth US$ (billions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Walton | 65.9 |
| 2 | Françoise Bettencourt Meyers | 65.4 |
| 3 | MacKenzie Scott | 62.3 |
| 4 | Julia Koch | 44.9 |
Herb Alpert is an American jazz musician, who became famous as the group notoriously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. They're also often referred to as Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass or TJB. What is this? Alpert has racked up an impressive net worth of $850 million, making him the richest singer in the world.
How rich is Donald Trump now? ›Forbes estimates it at $3.2 billion as of October 26, 2022, with Trump making much higher claims. Trump inherited wealth from his father, and he has also made money from fundraising, real estate ventures, hotels, casinos, golf courses, and Trump-branded products including neckties and steaks.
What is Kanye worth? ›
It estimated the Adidas deal accounted for $1.5 billion of his net worth, but Forbes now estimates it at a mere $400 million.
What female rapper has 6 Platinum albums? ›After recently being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Missy Elliot has achieved another milestone in her already legendary career. Elliott has become the first female rapper with six-certified platinum albums.