Female R & B Artists
Female R & B Artists. Who are some of the top-selling female R&B artists? And, what female sings and raps? Also, who is most popular, today?
What Female Artist Both Sing & Rap?
Female R & B Artists. When I think of singers who can rap, Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, and Brandy come to mind. Especially, Lauryn Hill. Lauryn was once called the “Queen of Hip-Hop.
And, rightfully so. We first saw Lauryn’s talent in the group “The Fugees.” It was Lauryn, Wyclef Jean, and Pras. The Fugees were a revolutionary hip-hop trio.
Every member bought their creative style to the music. But it was Lauryn’s vocals that stood out. Not to say, that Wyclef and Pras’s voices were unnoticed.
However, when we think of The Fugees, it’s Lauryn’s vocals we remember most. At least, that is how I see it. Especially, on songs such as “Ready Or Not”, and “Killing Me Softly.”
Originally, Ready Or Not” was a Philadelphia group, “The Delfonics” (Ready or Not Here I Come, You can’t Hide From Love). Of course, the Delfonics song was covered by others.
The Fugees reinvented the song and made it their own. There is probably no other singer who has been so impactful to hip-hop and R&B as Lauryn. In my opinion.
When Lauryn left The Fugees her solo career took off. Her debut album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill won five Grammys.
Videos were making head waves. It was Lauryn’s video in a classroom setting that people noticed.
According to Tidal, “it was Ms. Hill who released an album that could rule in both worlds (hip-hop and R&B).” I most certainly agree. On February 24, 1999.
Lauryn made history. She was the first hip-hop artist to win Album of the Year. Also, she was the first woman to take home five Grammys that night.
I could really go on and on about Lauryn and how she changed both Hip-Hop and R&B.
While Lauren set the trends it was Queen Latifah who set the foundation. That is as it relates to hip-hop. For the most part, many did not know Queen Latifah could sing.
Unless you watched “Living Single” you weren’t familiar with her beautiful vocals. Nevertheless, Queen Latifah set trends. Queen Latifah had one of the first raps about women’s empowerment. Ladies First was sort of an anthem for women. Here are a few verses, from Ladies First.
I break into a lyrical freestyle
Grab the mic, look into the crowd and see smiles
Cause they see a woman standing up on her own two
Sloppy slouching is something I won’t do
Some think that we can’t flow (can’t flow)
Stereotypes, they got to go (got to go)
I’m a mess around and flip the scene into reverse
(With what?) With a little touch of “Ladies First”
Clearly, Queen Latifah was standing tall and proud. Women in hip-hop started coming into their own. For the first time in hip-hop history, women would not be denied.
Instead, Queen demanded that women be noticed and respected. Personally, I really believe that Queen Latifah blew doors off the henges. As it relates, to women in hip-hop being respected.
Stereotypical views of women with misogynistic tones with men in hip-hop ceased. Because Queen Latifah gave us a voice in hip-hop we did not have previously.
For the male-dominated genre, Queen Latifah bought a women’s perspective. She demanded we be respected and celebrated, as reported by Biography.
With having said this, Queen Latifah has gone on to have an incredible career in music, TV, and films.
Some of her best work can be seen in films such as, “Bringing Down The House, “Chicago”, “The Bone Collector”, “Girls Trip”, TV series, “Living Single”, The Equalizer, and her own “talks show: “Queen Latifah Show.”
Queen Latifah – Ladies First (feat. Monie Love) [Music Video]
Therefore, her contribution to both hip-hop and R&B will forever be remembered. I almost forgot to mention, that Queen Latifah’s song U.N.I.T.Y. won her a Grammy.
Later, after Queen Latifah starred in the movie “Chicago she made a jazz album, “Trav’Lin Light. Now that we have looked at Lauryn and Queen Latifah’s contribution to R&B and Hip-Hop.
Let’s look at the extraordinary career of singer Brandy. Brandy has has such an impact on her generation.
My first time seeing Brandy was on the TV show, Thea”.
While most people would say it was the hit sitcom, “Moesha.” Moesha was a fan favorite. Then again, many people only know Brandy for her singing.
By the time Brandy was grown, she had recorded 7 studio albums. Once upon a time, she was a backup singer for the group Immature.
In 1994, she recorded her debut album entitled, “Brandy.” She has sold over 8.6 million albums in the US, as reported by Wiki.
Important to realize, that Brandy was named a top 20 artist in the 90s. Just like Lauryn and Queen, Brandy has impacted both hip-hop and R&B.
One of the most memorable songs on her debut album was, “Sittin’ Up In My Room.” Other hit songs on that same album, “Baby”, and “I Wanna Be Down” were some of my favorites.
Eventually, Brandy would sing with Wanya from Boys II Men fame,(Brokenhearted). Surprisingly enough, Brandy and Monica sang, “The Boy Is Mine.”
In fact, some people really thought Brandy and Monica were fighting. As a result, the media had a field day. In the long run, we found out they were not.
Overall, each of the women we have changed the landscape of both Hip-Hop and R&B. For this reason we celebrate female R&B artists.
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