Female MC's & Their Style Evolution

Female MC's - Style Evolution

Salt-n-Pepa - Salt-n-Pepa were trendsetters in the ’80s with their asymmetric hairdos and their around-the-way urban style.

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Salt-n-Pepa - Salt-n-Pepa were trendsetters in the ’80s with their asymmetric hairdos and their around-the-way urban style.

MC Lyte - MC Lyte blazed the hip-hop trails as a rap pioneer with an ’80s style that was straight off the streets of her native Brooklyn, New York.

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MC Lyte - MC Lyte blazed the hip-hop trails as a rap pioneer with an ’80s style that was straight off the streets of her native Brooklyn, New York.

Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah’s lyrics inspired women and gave them a sense of power. Her style embodied that same regal strength.

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Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah’s lyrics inspired women and gave them a sense of power. Her style embodied that same regal strength.

Monie Love - Like most women trying to break into hip-hop in the ’80s, this London native also took to wearing baggy b-boy-inspired gear that resembled her male counterparts.

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Monie Love - Like most women trying to break into hip-hop in the ’80s, this London native also took to wearing baggy b-boy-inspired gear that resembled her male counterparts.

YoYo - Ice Cube’s protégé was a hardcore female rapper, but her doll-baby looks and style were not. Her hip-hop style was also girly.

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YoYo - Ice Cube’s protégé was a hardcore female rapper, but her doll-baby looks and style were not. Her hip-hop style was also girly.

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Left Eye - Left Eye made sure she stood out from her TLC group members with her fun, carefree twist on the “Crazy, Sexy, Cool” persona.

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Left Eye - Left Eye made sure she stood out from her TLC group members with her fun, carefree twist on the “Crazy, Sexy, Cool” persona.

Lauryn Hill - The multiple Grammy-winning Ms. Hill has always had a unique style. The MC’s earthy, eclectic style was refreshingly different from the masses in the ’90s.

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Lauryn Hill - The multiple Grammy-winning Ms. Hill has always had a unique style. The MC’s earthy, eclectic style was refreshingly different from the masses in the ’90s.

Lil Kim - Lil Kim has always had an “in-your-face” sexy fashion sense. Her skin-bearing, risqué outfits went along with her bold, sex-laced lyrics.

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Lil Kim - Lil Kim has always had an “in-your-face” sexy fashion sense. Her skin-bearing, risqué outfits went along with her bold, sex-laced lyrics.

Da Brat - As the first female rapper to go platinum, the Brat’s braided hair and baggy gear were a result of Jermaine Dupri’s vision to make her the female version of Snoop Dogg.

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Da Brat - As the first female rapper to go platinum, the Brat’s braided hair and baggy gear were a result of Jermaine Dupri’s vision to make her the female version of Snoop Dogg.

Foxy Brown - Her name is definitely a description of her style. The foxy rapstress is a product of the sexy female rap era.

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Foxy Brown - Her name is definitely a description of her style. The foxy rapstress is a product of the sexy female rap era.

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Jean Grae - This conscious rapper is also fashion-conscious. Her style is hard to narrow down because one day she’s in fatigues and the next she’s in a dress and heels.

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Jean Grae - This conscious rapper is also fashion-conscious. Her style is hard to narrow down because one day she’s in fatigues and the next she’s in a dress and heels.

Missy Elliott - Missy Elliott’s simple “matchy-matchy” style was easily kept up with her arsenal of sweat suits, but the futuristic fashions in her videos were glamorous.

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Missy Elliott - Missy Elliott’s simple “matchy-matchy” style was easily kept up with her arsenal of sweat suits, but the futuristic fashions in her videos were glamorous.

Eve - This Ruff Ryder was not ashamed of being a little rough in her rap delivery and her style. Her raw nature was in line with her hip-hop vibe.

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Eve - This Ruff Ryder was not ashamed of being a little rough in her rap delivery and her style. Her raw nature was in line with her hip-hop vibe.

Trina - Repping for her native Florida, Trina has always had a flamboyant style that was street sexy. Lots of hair, legs and attitude.

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Trina - Repping for her native Florida, Trina has always had a flamboyant style that was street sexy. Lots of hair, legs and attitude.

Rah Digga - While the skilled lady rapper of Flipmode Squad had a unique voice, her style was very common…not too sexy and not too masculine.

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Rah Digga - While the skilled lady rapper of Flipmode Squad had a unique voice, her style was very common…not too sexy and not too masculine.

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Shawnna - As the smooth-rapping lady of Disturbing tha Peace, Shawnna's fashionable, feminine style was a great balance to Luda and the rest of the DTP family.

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Shawnna - As the smooth-rapping lady of Disturbing tha Peace, Shawnna's fashionable, feminine style was a great balance to Luda and the rest of the DTP family.

Diamond - Originally a part of the Crime Mob, female rapper Diamond made her mark as the hood-fab chick with rhyming skills.

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Diamond - Originally a part of the Crime Mob, female rapper Diamond made her mark as the hood-fab chick with rhyming skills.

Jacki-O - With an arm full of tattoos and rap style that was full of sexuality, Jacki-O was another rapper whose style went unnoticed.

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Jacki-O - With an arm full of tattoos and rap style that was full of sexuality, Jacki-O was another rapper whose style went unnoticed.

Remy Ma - The Terror Squad’s first lady has always worn asset-flaunting fashions, but her most notable style choice is the signature blonde patch in her hair.

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Remy Ma - The Terror Squad’s first lady has always worn asset-flaunting fashions, but her most notable style choice is the signature blonde patch in her hair.

M.I.A. - The British rapper has a very off-beat sense of style that’s as unique as her song subjects. Nothing she wears or says is shocking given her reputation.

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M.I.A. - The British rapper has a very off-beat sense of style that’s as unique as her song subjects. Nothing she wears or says is shocking given her reputation.

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Lil Mama - Lil Mama’s New York flavor is evident in her clothes. She rocks colorful duds that are out of the box but always functional.

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Lil Mama - Lil Mama’s New York flavor is evident in her clothes. She rocks colorful duds that are out of the box but always functional.

Teyana Taylor - This young MC’s hip-hop style is reminiscent of the old school MCs. Teyana maintains her femininity even in baseball caps, baggy pants and high-top sneakers.

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Teyana Taylor - This young MC’s hip-hop style is reminiscent of the old school MCs. Teyana maintains her femininity even in baseball caps, baggy pants and high-top sneakers.

Nicki Minaj - The bubble gum princess has creatively crossed her Barbie fantasy gear with high fashion for a modern yet whimsical style.

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Nicki Minaj - The bubble gum princess has creatively crossed her Barbie fantasy gear with high fashion for a modern yet whimsical style.