I wanted to include a woman during this week on rap artists, so I did what every modern-day computer literate person does when seeking knowledge — I Googled it.
A search for “best female rapper” returns a lot of candidates, most of whom I’ve never heard of. Among those I do know, I found repeated references to Missy Elliot, Eve, Lil Kim and Queen Latifah. But the most mentioned and most lavishly praised of them all proved to be Lauryn Hill.
Hill made quite an impression over just a few years and just three studio albums (including two released with the Fugees). Her blend of gorgeous vocals, legitimate rhyming skills and prodigious songwriting talent made her a rare hip-hop triple threat.
If she had continued to release albums as rich and gorgeous as The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, she’d be a living legend. On the other hand, if she’d released one disappointing album after another over the past decade and a half, she’d be forgotten.
As it is, she’s one of popular music’s biggest mysteries, with vague hints of a second solo album coming and going year to year but no signs that it will really happen.
Well written topic
Broken down into pieces
I introduce then produce
Words so profuse
It’s abuse how I juice up this beat
Like I’m deuce
Two people both equal
Like I’m Gemini
Rather simeon
If I Jimmy on this lock I could pop it
You can’t stop it
Drop it
Your whole crew’s microscopic
Like particles while I make international articles
And on the cover
Don’t discuss the baby mother business
I been in this third LP you can’t tell me, I witness
First handed I’m candid
You can’t stand it
Respect demanded
And get flown around the planet
Rock Hard like granite or steel
People feel Lauryn Hill from New-Ark to Israel
And this is real
So I keep makin’ the street’s ballads
While you lookin’ for dressin’ to go with your tossed salad
You could get the money
You could get the power
But keep your eyes on the final hour (x2)
I’m about to change the focus
From the richest to the brokest
I wrote this opus
To reverse the hypnosis
Whoever’s closest
To the line’s gonna win it
You gonna fall tryin to ball
While my team win the pennant
I’m about to be in it
For a minute
Then run for senate
Make a slum lord be the tenant
Give his money to kids to spend it
And then amend it
Every law that ever prevented
Our survival since our arrival
Documented in the bible
Like Moses and Aaron
Things gon change, it’s apparent
And all the transparent gonna
Be seen through
Let God redeem you
Keep your deen true
You can get the green too
Watch out what you cling to
Observe how a queen do
And I remain calm readin’ the 73 Psalm
Cause wit all this on I got the world in palm
You could get the money
You could get the power
But keep your eyes on the final hour(x2)
Now I be breakin’ bread sippin Manichevitz wine
Pay no mind party like it’s 1999
But when it comes down to ground beef like Palestine
Say your rhymes, let’s see if that get you out your bind
Now I’m a get the mozzarella like a Rockerfeller
Still be in the church of Lalibela
Singing hymns a cappella
Whether posed in Maribella in Couture
Or collectin’ residuals from off the Score
I’m makin’ sure
I’m with the 144
I’ve been here before this ain’t a battle this is war
Word to Boonie
I make salaat like a Sunni
Get diplomatic immunity in every ghetto community
Had opportunity went from
Hoodshock to Hood-chic
But it ain’t what you cop
It’s about what you keep
And even if there are leaks
you can’t capsize this ship
Cause I baptize my lips every time I take a sip
You could get the money
You could get the power
But keep your eyes on the final hour
Meet Me In Montauk 
No doubt a formidable talent. Would love to hear more from her.
Did Nicki Minaj not come up amongst the most talented female rappers? I thought praise was being heaped upon her as well.
Yes, her name showed up, but more often than not she was dismissed as over-hyped. Personally I think she’s very talented, though some of her vocal habits annoy me.
You neglected to mention how stunning Lauryn Hill is. Not that I think that should matter, but let’s face it… making it as a hip hop/rap artist when one looks like she looks, without making the Beyonce moves and videos… is an even more amazing accomplishment. I’ve only listened to her solo album a handful of times, but I’ve always loved her. Perhaps my love goes back to this classic video she made with the Fugees – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJac6IkcZOE&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL6D13BCAA88885457. Now that’s a classic! 🙂