HONORING NEW WAVE RAPPERS
ILLUSTRATION
PERSONAL PROJECT
MUSIC
Illustration series celebrating fiercely intelligent, new wave rappers that go unseen by mainstream media.
Hip hop is a traditionally male-dominated genre in which authenticity has frequently been identified with masculinity. This creates one of many barriers that female artists typically face when entering the hip hop world, leading to some experiencing hostility towards them for their sex and marginalization.
Along with sexist comments from their male contemporaries that gatekeeps this industry making it even more diffuclt for them to even to gain recognition from mainstream audience.
I wanted to create a series of illustrations of rappers that inspire me. From the neon-colored kookiness of Rico Nasty, to the visual creativity of Tierra Whack and Noname’s soothing near-spoken-word tunes, even Little Sims’s fierce jazz inflenced bars! This new class is bending the stereotypes of what it means to be free-thinking women in hip-hop, injecting a dose of progressive lyrics, non-binary sexuality and autonomous imagery into a genre that has been historically ruled by men.
Little Simz, Venom
“They would never wanna admit
I'm the best here.
From the mere fact that I've got ovaries.
It's a woman's world, so to speak.
Pussy, you sour
Never givin' credit where it's due 'cause you don't like pussy in power.”
“They would never wanna admit
I'm the best here.
From the mere fact that I've got ovaries.
It's a woman's world, so to speak.
Pussy, you sour
Never givin' credit where it's due 'cause you don't like pussy in power.”
Noname, Song 33
“Oh, I have ambitions, dreams
But dreams don't come cheap.
I saw a demon on my shoulder, it's lookin' like patriarchy.
Yo, but little did I know, all my reading would be a bother.
It's trans women being murdered, and this is all he can offer?”
Most female rappers choose to adopt the same braggadocio of their male counterparts in order to subvert expectations and push back against gender roles. Noname, however, opts to use prototypically feminine elements in the pursuit of her empowerment.
“Oh, I have ambitions, dreams
But dreams don't come cheap.
I saw a demon on my shoulder, it's lookin' like patriarchy.
Yo, but little did I know, all my reading would be a bother.
It's trans women being murdered, and this is all he can offer?”
Most female rappers choose to adopt the same braggadocio of their male counterparts in order to subvert expectations and push back against gender roles. Noname, however, opts to use prototypically feminine elements in the pursuit of her empowerment.
Tierra Whack, My power
“Refer to me as a goddess, I'm tired of being modest
A hundred degrees, the hottest, if we being honest
Ebony and ebonics, black people win
They say we bein' demonic, angel in disguise
I hate I have to disguise it, why you gotta despise it?
Rich in the mind, that's why I'm making deposits
Carry all the power, it's time to realize it”
Tierra has incredible flow to her music, she’s whacky and absurd. Her music is experimental, fun yet thought-provoking.
“Refer to me as a goddess, I'm tired of being modest
A hundred degrees, the hottest, if we being honest
Ebony and ebonics, black people win
They say we bein' demonic, angel in disguise
I hate I have to disguise it, why you gotta despise it?
Rich in the mind, that's why I'm making deposits
Carry all the power, it's time to realize it”
Tierra has incredible flow to her music, she’s whacky and absurd. Her music is experimental, fun yet thought-provoking.
Rico Nasty, OHFR?
“I just think I'm eatin different more food for the meal
No more happy meals, just champagne cheers
I used to not have fans, now I fill up fields
Bought a new house, but I need me a building (Damn)
I can't stop until I'm making me a billion
No Aminé we reel in
Any bitch who fishin' and seekin' out for attention
Geekin' in the mentions”
“I just think I'm eatin different more food for the meal
No more happy meals, just champagne cheers
I used to not have fans, now I fill up fields
Bought a new house, but I need me a building (Damn)
I can't stop until I'm making me a billion
No Aminé we reel in
Any bitch who fishin' and seekin' out for attention
Geekin' in the mentions”
Female rappers have often used the stage provided by the genre to reclaim sexuality and portray sex in a way that puts women in control. Nicki Minaj is the current messiah of this gospel, and her confident, aggressive approach to sexuality has made her a feminist icon. But these rappers takes a different approach to the matter.