In recent years, women have been at the forefront of advancing hip-hop. While the rap world enjoyed the clash between Drake and Kendrick Lamar this spring, the real spark for this competitive year began when Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion faced off at the start of 2024. Their intense battle has since calmed, with both artists embarking on record-breaking arena tours.
Beyond fierce rap battles, the last year has seen the rise of artists like Sexyy Red, Ice Spice, and Flo Milli, each achieving Hot 100 top 20 hits. Grammy-nominated rappers Rapsody and Tierra Whack further established themselves with thought-provoking lyrics on their acclaimed 2024 albums. Emerging talents like Anycia and Karrahboo are also vying for recognition among their peers.
Billboard has compiled a list of the hottest female rappers for the first half of 2024, considering factors such as record quality, chart performance, cultural impact, business ventures, and touring success. A final list will be published in December, crowning the top female rapper of the year. Below is the initial ranking:
10. Flo Milli
Flo Milli is enjoying a breakout year as the Alabama star stampeded her way to mainstream glory with the biggest hit of her career, “Never Lose Me.” Earlier this year, the song leaped into the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and scored multiple remixes, most notably with SZA and Cardi B. Though the sequel lacked the same punch as the original, it didn’t stifle Flo’s momentum. Her album “Fine Ho, Stay” debuted at No. 54 on the Billboard 200 in March. Flo also shines with her freestyle skills, as demonstrated on Chow Lee’s “Swag It (Remix).” Currently, Flo is on the road with Gunna’s Bittersweet Tour, serving as the opener. – CARL LAMARRE
9. JT
Though the future of City Girls remains uncertain, JT is rolling full steam ahead with her solo rap career. On “Sideways,” she spits, “Ridin’ solo and I’m still in a group/ Biggest in my city and I’m still in a coupe.” This wavy single offers a laid-back alternative to the club-ready “Okay,” which debuted at No. 74 on the Hot 100, marking her first unaccompanied appearance on the chart. As part of her Cinderella Club Tour, JT has been connecting with fans through jam-packed shows and extensive social media engagement, fine-tuning her branding as the “baddie with a stank attitude” who embraces edgy, queer-coded fashion aesthetics. Collaborations with Nicki Minaj (“Super Freaky Girl (Queen Mix)”) and Doechii (“Alter Ego”) have cemented her as City Girls’ strongest rapper, building an unwavering fanbase. Her drive is already turning into career-best returns even before her debut solo mixtape, City Cinderella, has arrived. – KYLE DENIS
8. Latto
Latto embodies the essence and trajectory of her breakthrough 2021 hit “Big Energy.” She first gained national attention with 2019’s gold-certified declaration “Bitch from da Souf,” followed by the platinum-minted “Muop” featuring Gucci Mane. With a smooth cadence underscoring her frankness, Latto has logged additional successes as a solo artist and a collaborator. Her hit with Cardi B, “Put It on da Floor Again,” and her guest verse on Jung Kook’s “Seven,” which became her first Hot 100 No. 1 hit in July, highlight her growing accomplishments. After briefly sparring with Ice Spice via her single “Sunday Service,” Latto seems poised for her 2024 moment, also releasing a Megan Thee Stallion-stamped remix of the same record earlier this week. – GAIL MITCHELL
7. Cardi B
As fans await Cardi B’s long-anticipated sophomore album, the Bronx firecracker continues to shake up the scene with her charm and fiery features. On May 31, she swiped at Bia on the remix to GloRilla’s and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Wanna Be,” showcasing her prowess as a top-tier co-star on hip-hop hits. Though her solo releases “Like What” and “Enough” haven’t matched the impact of past hits like “WAP” and “Bodak Yellow,” Cardi remains highly sought-after in music and entertainment. Her presence in a Super Bowl commercial and brand deals with Pepsi, Reebok, and NYX Cosmetics highlight her influence. Despite the looming question of her next album’s arrival, Cardi continues to tower over the competition alongside Megan and Nicki as part of the “Big 3” of female rap. – C.L.
6. GloRilla
After a stellar 2022, GloRilla faced a brief period where it seemed like her momentum might falter. Her EP “Anyway, Life’s Great” was met with mixed reactions, and the follow-up “Cha Cha Cha” with Fivio Foreign didn’t hit the mark. However, GloRilla bounced back with “Yeah Glo!,” a track that reminded everyone of her star potential. Sampling Da Banggaz314’s “Run Up Get Dun Up,” the song marked a return to form, reaffirming her status in the industry. Joining Megan Thee Stallion on tour and releasing “Wanna Be” just before hitting the road, GloRilla now has two simultaneous hits in the top 50 on the Hot 100, proving that her detractors were wrong. – DAMIEN SCOTT
5. Ice Spice
Named Billboard’s R&B / Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year in 2023, Ice Spice scored four Hot 100 top 10 hits, including “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” with PinkPantheress and high-profile collaborations with Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. In 2024, Ice is solidifying her hit-making capabilities with her debut album “Y2K.” She has modernized Sean Paul’s 2002 classic “Gimme the Light” and made waves with “Think U the Shit (Fart),” her highest-charting unaccompanied solo single at No. 37 on the Hot 100. Her best verse to date appears on the remix of Cash Cobain & Bay Swag’s “Fisherrr.” – HERAN MAMO
4. Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s return to rap with her 2023 album “Scarlet” showcased her lyrical prowess, outshining many “real” MCs. The acclaimed album, featuring hits like “Demons,” “F–k the Girls (FTG),” and “Attention,” affirmed her place in top discussions. Her crossover smash “Paint the Town Red” ended a long hip-hop drought atop the Hot 100. She has maintained this momentum in 2024 with the deluxe reissue “CLAUDE” and her first-ever headlining set at Coachella. “Agora Hills” continues to perform well on the Hot 100, proving Doja Cat’s staying power. – ANDREW UNTERBERGER
3. Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion remains a hitmaker, whether solo or in collaboration with other A-listers. Her 2024 started with a high-profile beef with Nicki Minaj, highlighted by her track “Hiss,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100. This momentum helped her secure a deal with Warner Music Group for her Hot Girl Productions. She is now on her first solo headlining arena tour, the Hot Girl Summer Tour. Beyond music, Megan has racked up endorsements with companies like Coach, CashApp, Revlon, and Nike. Her diverse ventures demonstrate her extensive influence. – D.S.
2. Sexyy Red
Sexyy Red’s ability to create hits and go viral has made her a standout artist. Her breakout performance with “Pound Town” led to Hot 100 hits like “Get It Sexxy” and “SkeeYee.” She is savvy with social media, often going viral for her unique style and public appearances. Now appearing at NFL games and WWE shows, Sexyy Red has cemented her place in the rap industry. Her humor and attention to detail in her music, reminiscent of Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane, make her a beloved figure in the streets and on the charts. – ANGEL DIAZ
1. Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj continues to reign supreme in the rap world 15 years after her breakout mixtape, “Beam Me Up Scotty.” Despite numerous challengers, none have dethroned her. In 2023, Nicki co-signed Sexyy Red’s “Pound Town 2” and teamed up with Ice Spice for “Barbie World,” a top 10 hit. Her album “Pink Friday 2” topped the Billboard 200 with 228,000 first-week units and 14 tracks debuting on the Hot 100. Her Pink Friday 2 World Tour has reconnected her with loyal fans, averaging nearly $2 million and 13,000 attendees per night. Nicki remains the genre’s central female force, with other artists orbiting around her.
