THE LIST: These Are The Five Illest, Most Talented And Most Hardworking Female Rappers In The Country Right Now

Female-fronted hip hop is on the cusp of a resurgence hence it’s a good time to revisit the subject of female MCs. Since its beginnings, hip-hop has been a Boys Club, with female rappers often ignored or pushed to the side, boxed into the background or assuming the “eye candy” role in music videos.

However, talent simply can’t—nor should—be overlooked, and ladies have risen to international stardom in spite of hip-hop’s often male-centric attitudes, producing undeniable classics along the way. While there may have been a glass ceiling that couldn’t be broken before, women have shattered most limitations these days. And that’s just an awesome thing

Here are Kenya’s ‘baddest’ female rappers.

1.Stella Mwangi (STL)

Miss Stella Mwangi is still Kenya’s rap goddess. She’s the most experienced and perhaps the most successful of her peers. She might owe part of her success to the fact that she has spent most of her life in Norway but there’s no doubt the rapper has worked hard to be where she is. My only problem with her is when she tries too hard to adopt a local sound. It’s best if she sticks to the international sound that is evident in tracks such as ‘Dreamer’,’Bad As I Wanna Be’ and ‘Lookie Lookie’. That’s the sound that really sets her apart from the rest. Stella has the seasoned poise of a veteran but her flow continues to be fresh. Big up to you STL, a true rap superstar.

2. Muthoni The Drummer Queen

The business savvy rapper spits out her rapid-fire flow over electro-club beats, creating an international party vibe, wherever her songs are played. Artistes who pay attention to detail are rare and when you meet one, you just have no option but to respect them.

Muthoni’s music isn’t just born and nurtured through studio beats. She has had a band ever since she started out. Consequently, the production style in her music is unique and nourishing. The ‘mohawk’ loving femcee’s soulful style coated with melodic flow, laconic beats and irrepressible rhymes is definitely going to lift her to even greater heights. It’s only a matter of time..

3. Wangechi

Arguably the most talented young female artiste in the country right now. Wangeci suffered severe injuries in a grisly road accident last year but she has recovered and come out guns blazing. Her vocal style, sweet voice and easy breezy flow draw comparisons to American greats like Lauryn Hill and Eve. Her rap has proved introspective and socially conscious enough to earn her cred among both hard-edged rappers as well as the bubblegum set. Keep on keeping on Wangechi

4. Femi One Shikow

The femcee started making waves after being featured on Rabbit’s Ligi Soo remix. Now she’s on a mission to take the crown. The gorgeous lass relies on a relentless ghetto kind of flow that works well for her and for the fans. Her lyrics are deep and sensible. Her best track by far has to be the interminably catchy, sharply entertaining and subtly brilliant hit “Maumbile.” The quirky beat-laden jam metastasized across the Internet so quickly it reminded listeners why hits are called viral If she doesn’t let her pretty foot off the gas, I’m damn sure she’ll be counted as a great in a few years to come.

5. Xtatic

She has had her struggles with her record label Sony Africa but Xtatic’s determined demeanor has kept her at the top. Word is that she has been rapping for a long time now and it’s easy to tell that if not for certain obstacles, Xtatic would be top act in Africa right now. You can hear the experience in her songs where she pairs wildly dissonant rhythms with a nimble lyrical flow, Let’s hope that luck will embrace her hard work so that we get the chance to see her at her peak.