One group of musicians that frequently sparks polarizing opinions is female rappers. Unfortunately, they often face intense scrutiny for their image and content, including their fashion choices, actions, and lyrical themes.
If a woman raps about sex in detail, the angry mobs run for their pitchforks and torches; however, if a male rapper releases a just as explicit song, no one bats an eye.
No, it’s not easy for these smooth-talking ladies, but this group of women shows that they have more than earned their place in the boy’s club and have the cash to prove it. Here is our list of the world’s richest and most successful female rappers.
20. Lil’ Kim — Hip-Hop Pioneer with a Net Worth of $500 Thousand
It’s always strange to realize that some influential figures aren’t always the richest. For example, Lil’ Kim’s musical style and fashion sense have informed so many in recent years (not to mention Miley Cyrus’ Halloween costume). Yet, her estimated net worth as of 2024 is $500 thousand, earning her the bottom spot on our list of richest female rappers.
Lil’ Kim, a rapper who gained fame in the late 1990s with her sexually explicit lyrics, has made a significant impact on the music industry, although her current net worth is estimated at $500 thousand (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Inspired by MC Lyte, Lil’ Kim was discovered by legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who asked her to join Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose debut album became certified gold.
The 48-year-old New York-born rapper’s first solo album, Hard Core, has sold over six million copies worldwide. Her other releases, The Notorious K.I.M. and La Belle Mafia are also certified platinum.
American rapper Lil’ Kim had great success with her debut studio album, Hard Core, which was released on November 12, 1996 (Credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock)
After selling more than 15 million albums and 30 million singles, Lil’ Kim’s estimated net worth is $500 thousand.
19. Young M.A — Groundbreaking Rapper with a Net Worth of $2 Million
An acronym for “Young Me. Always,” this rapper’s quadruple-platinum hit, “Ooouuu,” was the song of the summer of 2016.
Young M.A is best known for her hard-hitting raps that echo those of the ones created by men — money, women, violence — and notes that her gender and sexuality inform her work, telling The Guardian, “This industry is male-dominated, we can’t pretend that it’s not. So when you do make it as a female, you feel more honored because the guys take over so much.”
Katorah Kasanova Marrero, widely recognized as Young M.A, garnered fame in 2016 with the release of her quadruple-platinum hit single “Ooouuu,” and while she has achieved notable success, her current net worth is estimated to be around $2 million (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock / Arturo Holmes)
Though Young M.A has not released any musical projects that have hit the same success as “Ooouuu”, she did direct her first pornographic film in 2018, a lesbian video called The Gift and produced by PornHub. She was also featured on Eminem’s 2020 surprise album, Music To Be Murdered By.
18. Azealia Banks — Controversial Star with a Net Worth of $2 Million
If you aren’t a big rap fan, you may know Azealia Banks for her quirky attitude and a long list of sometimes strange celebrity beefs (some are perfectly understandable, though).
Her celebrity feuds are tales of legend, though the rapper often says some seriously offensive things, frequently using violent and homophobic language.
Azealia Banks showcases her versatility with a colorful striped bodysuit and bold red shorts for a playful stage look, while her geometric print dress and open-toe heels create a chic and polished red carpet moment (Credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock / Featureflash Photo Agency)
The rapper once called Cardi B the “poor man’s Nicki” after “Bodak Yellow” hit number one on the Billboard music charts. In a different odd turn of events, she accused Grimes of ghosting her to hang out with Elon Musk, saying that “it was probably some weird threesome sex shit to begin with.”
Not to mention Azealia’s absolutely bonkers string of videos in which she showed fans the closet within her home where she sacrifices chickens… you should probably Google that one. Either way, more power to her.
Whether it stems from her musical career or the attention she gets from her celebrity feuds, Azealia Banks currently has an estimated net worth of $2 million.
17. Foxy Brown — Iconic Rapper with a Net Worth of $3 Million
The beautiful Foxy Brown signed to the legendary record label Def Jam in 1996 and has since released several albums: Ill Na Na, Chyna Doll, Broken Silence, Ill Na Na 2: The Fever, Black Roses, and Brooklyn’s Don Diva.
She was also part of the hip-hop supergroup The Firm, where she rapped alongside Nas, AZ, Cormega, and Nature.
Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand, professionally known as Foxy Brown, is an American rapper who gained prominence with her debut album “Ill Na Na,” and while she has left a mark on the music industry, her current net worth is estimated to be around $3 million (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)
Many of Foxy Brown’s releases have received great acclaim, both from critics and popular culture. Her debut album sold over 7 million copies worldwide. Though she has not released solo music for a few years, her estimated net worth is a very comfortable $3 million.
16. Kash Doll — Detroit’s Rising Star with a Net Worth of $4 Million
Born and raised in Detroit, Kash Doll is another rapper on our list who had a career as a stripper before turning to rap. Though it was lucrative (Kash Doll reports that she once made $26,000 in a single night!), the call of the microphone was too strong to resist.
Arkeisha Antoinette Knight, widely recognized by her stage name Kash Doll, is a successful American rapper hailing from Detroit, and with her notable achievements in the music industry, she has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at around $4 million (Credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock)
The rapper released videos of herself rapping on Instagram, which were seen by none other than Drake, who DMed her to ask if she would open his Detroit show during his Summer Sixteen tour. Kash Doll is best known for her songs “Ice Me Out” and “For Everybody,” we can’t wait to hear what she releases next.
15. Saweetie — Chart-Topping Artist with a Net Worth of $4 Million
A relative newcomer on this list, Saweetie has been making waves and releasing hits. Born Diamonté Harper, Saweetie began writing music at the young age of 13.
She received a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Southern University — not an easy school to get into, much less graduate from — before focusing her energy on a rap career.
Saweetie, who made a captivating appearance at the Billboard Women In Music event in a see-through black dress by Valentino Couture in Inglewood, California, on March 2, 2022, has not only gained attention for her fashion choices but has also achieved significant success in her music career, resulting in an estimated net worth of around $4 million (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
Her first EP, High Maintenance, was released in 2018, and her second, Icy, was released the following year with great success. Icy featured Saweetie’s breakthrough hit, “My Type,” one of the best club anthems of the year.
She has continued to release songs, notably “Tap In” and “Best Friend,” on which she collaborated with Doja Cat. Her success isn’t just on the charts, as Saweetie was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2021.
Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, better known by her stage name Saweetie, is an American rapper who experienced a breakthrough in 2018 with her debut single Icy Grl (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
14. Remy Ma — Grammy-Nominated Lyricist with a Net Worth of $4 Million
Remy Ma may not have the most mainstream success compared to other women on this list (Barbz may know her best for her beef with Nicki Minaj), but this Grammy-nominated artist has been working on her rap career for decades.
Though her studio albums have not received smash commercial success, as her debut album, There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story, peaked only at number 33 on the Billboard charts, her singles, “Ante Up (Remix),” “Conceited,” “Lean Back,” and “All the Way Up” have done well as stand-alone songs.
Remy Ma, who received the prestigious title of Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards 2017 held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, has not only achieved recognition in the industry but has also amassed a net worth of approximately $4 million (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Remy Ma has also received four BET Awards for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, making her a member of a select group that has won more than one! Outside of her musical career, Remy Ma and her husband, Papoose, have frequently appeared on Love & Hip Hop: New York.
13. M.I.A. — Activist Rapper with a Net Worth of $6 Million
The lone Brit on the list, M.I.A. is more than just a rapper—she is an activist. She uses her music to rap about many political issues, such as warfare, refugees, immigration, and the female experience.
M.I.A., the British rapper known as Mathangi Arulpragasam, is celebrated for her politically and socially charged music that addresses topics such as immigration, warfare, and identity in a globalized world while also amassing a net worth of around $6 million (Credit: DFP Photographic / Shutterstock)
Born Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, M.I.A. began her life in London. Her parents were Sri Lankan Tamils, and they moved back to Sri Lanka when the rapper was only six months old.
Unfortunately, when the Sri Lankan Civil War broke out, she and her parents were forced to move back to London as refugees when M.I.A. was only 11. This early experience set the stage for the rapper’s career and ignited a passion for political activism.
M.I.A., born in London but having spent a significant portion of her childhood in northern Sri Lanka, faced the experience of being a young refugee before relocating to the UK at the age of 11 (Credit: DFP Photographic / Shutterstock)
Before beginning her career as a rapper, M.I.A. worked as a visual artist and filmmaker, and her connection to art is evident in her work.
Her first two albums, Arular in 2005 and Kala in 2007, were both released to rave critic reviews and reached popular acclaim. The latter’s single, “Paper Planes,” charted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2013, M.I.A. charted with her next hit single, “Bad Girls,” from her 2013 album Matangi.
M.I.A. initially began her artistic journey as a visual artist and filmmaker, and later ventured into music by composing and recording a six-song demo tape in 2003, marking the beginning of her successful career as a musician (Credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock)
Though she may not have as many hits as some of the other women on this list, M.I.A. has one of the most impressive records of accolades, earning two American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards, two MTV Music Video Awards, and was even nominated for an Academy and Grammy Award in the same year.
She has frequently appeared on “Most Influential” lists from various publications, and in 2019, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
M.I.A. frequently appears on Most Influential lists (Credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock)
Although her net worth may seem like pennies compared to some of the rich ladies on this list, M.I.A. (or should I say Dame M.I.A.?) has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a rapper, artist, and activist, and her genre-bending music has left a legacy that will last for generations.
12. Trina — Miami’s Baddest with a Net Worth of $6 Million
Trina may not be the richest female rapper on this list, but she has earned respect from the music industry during her career. In 2010, XXL magazine called her “The Most Consistent Female Rapper of All-time.”
The Florida native is known for her albums Da Baddest Bitch, Diamond Princess, Glamorest Life, Still Da Baddest, Amazin’, and The One.
Katrina Laverne “Trina” Taylor gained fame in 1998 with her notable appearance on the Trick Daddy single “Nann Nigga,” which propelled her into the spotlight, and her subsequent success in the music industry has contributed to an estimated net worth of around $6 million (Credit: YES Market Media / Shutterstock)
Over the years, Trina has been nominated for 10 BET Awards, three Soul Train Music Awards, one American Music Award, and has won one Source Award. She has also appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Miami.
Trina’s 2000 hit “Pull Over” is widely regarded as one of the standout rap songs by women, showcasing her talent and contributing to her enduring popularity in the music industry (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
11. MC Lyte — Trailblazing Rapper with a Net Worth of $8 Million
MC Lyte is one of the pioneers in female rap, first coming into the public eye in the late 1980s. She was the first female rapper to release a solo album in 1988 with Lyte as a Rock.
Not only was it the first solo female rap album, but it also became critically acclaimed. Her song “Ruffneck” also became the first song by a female solo rapper to hit gold.
MC Lyte, also known as Lana Michele Moorer, captivated with her leg-flaunting style at the 2021 Ebony Power 100 event while boasting a net worth of approximately $8 million (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Had MC Lyte’s debut album not been as loved by critics, other women who wanted to rap (and little girls who looked up to rappers) likely would never have seen rap as a legitimate career for fear of not being taken seriously.
MC Lyte’s influence on the rap game has been well respected by those who came after her. She has collaborated with a number of big names, such as Boys II Men, Will.i.am, and Beyoncé. She also received the great honor of being awarded the “I Am Hip Hop” Icon Lifetime Achievement from the BET Hip Hop Awards.
MC Lyte, recognized as one of the pioneers of female rap, broke new ground in 1988 as the first solo woman rapper to release a full album with the groundbreaking record Lyte as a Rock (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Additionally, she has worked as a writer, DJ, and actress and has begun her charitable foundation, Hip Hop Sisters.
10. Lauryn Hill — Grammy-Winning Legend with a Net Worth of $9 Million
Ms. Lauryn Hill is one of the most iconic female rappers, breaking barriers with her exquisite flow and beautiful, soulful singing voice.
The American artist was raised in South Orange, New Jersey, and, in high school, joined a band called the Fugees with Pras Michel and Wyclef Jean. Their first album, Blunted on Reality, was released in 1994, and their second album, The Score, was released in 1996 to wild acclaim. The Score sold over seven million copies and even earned the Fugees a Grammy.
Lauryn Hill, emerging from a musically oriented upbringing, gained fame as a member of the Grammy-winning Fugees in the 1990s and currently possesses a net worth of approximately $9 million (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Hill’s performance on the band’s version of “Killing Me Softly” cements her as one of the greatest legends in the hip-hop and soul spheres. Still, her first and only solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, released in 1998, debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became certified diamond after selling over 10 million albums and won the Grammy for Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Now, it is lauded as one of the best hip-hop albums ever produced.
Lauryn Hill holds the distinction of being the most Grammy-awarded female rapper, having received eight Grammy Awards, and she made history as the first woman to win five or more awards in a single night (Credit: Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock)
Though Lauryn Hill may not be a billionaire, she is arguably the most successful woman on this list — at least, awards-wise. Lauryn Hill has won eight Grammy Awards, more than any female rapper ever.
9. Eve — Multi-Talented Mogul with a Net Worth of $10 Million
Eve is another multi-hyphenate rapper on our list. A Philadelphia native, Eve reportedly worked as a stripper at only 18 years old until fellow rapper and P. Diddy collaborator Mase convinced her to broaden her horizons.
She described her time as an exotic dancer during an interview with Rolling Stone, saying, “[It] was a hustle, too; there’s a song about it on my album, “Heaven Only Knows.” But I don’t regret it – I was eighteen and confused, going through personal problems. I did it for about a month, and I was glad I did it. It helped me find Eve, helped me get serious. It was depressing – a lot of those girls have three or four kids. I’d sit there and be like, ‘Eve, you don’t belong here, this is not your world.’”
Singer Eve appeared at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 15, 2018, showcasing her presence. Alongside her successful music career, she has achieved a commendable net worth estimated at around $10 million (Credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock)
Thankfully, Eve set her sights on a musical career, with iconic albums such as her debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, which hit number one on the Billboard charts, Scorpion, Eve-Olution, and Lip Lock.
She has also appeared in several feature films, including the Barbershop franchise, The Woodsman, and Whip It.
In the 2016 American comedy film “Barbershop: The Next Cut,” Eve portrays the character of Terri, while Common takes on the role of Rashad, contributing to the comedic ensemble of the movie (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
8. Iggy Azalea — Global Hitmaker with a Net Worth of $25 Million
Apologies to die-hard rap fans. Iggy Azalea is one of the most polarizing figures in the hip-hop industry — you either love her or you really, really hate her.
Iggy Azalea, who began her rap career at the age of 14, made a bold move to the United States at 16 to pursue her passion for music, and her dedication has paid off with a net worth estimated at approximately $15 million (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
The rapper was born in Sydney, Australia, and claimed to have some Aboriginal (Indigenous Australian) ancestry due to an unspecified eye condition. She dreamed of being an artist even when she was young, beginning rapping at only 14.
She eventually dropped out of high school to follow her dream and move to the epicenter of hip hop: the United States. She briefly worked with the rap collective Dungeon Family before moving to Los Angeles and signing with Interscope.
Iggy Azalea achieved her greatest success with her 2014 single “Fancy,” a collaboration with Charli XCX, which became her most successful single to date, solidifying her presence in the music industry (Credit: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock)
After signing her first major record deal, Iggy Azalea released her debut album, The New Classic, which featured her Billboard No.1 single, “Fancy.”
That same year, she was also featured on “Problem” with Ariana Grande, which held a spot on the list at number two.
Iggy Azalea has garnered an impressive collection of accolades throughout her career, including two American Music Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, a People’s Choice Award, and four Teen Choice Awards, showcasing her widespread recognition and success in the music industry (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
During her career, Iggy Azalea has sold over 70 million records across the globe, and won two American Music Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, four Teen Choice Awards, four Grammy nominations, an MTV Music Video Award, and one People’s Choice Award.
Though she might not be the most popular woman on this list, her impressive net worth, paired with her many accolades, proves that she is, indeed, successful.
7. Bhad Bhabie — Viral Sensation with a Net Worth of $25 Million
Let’s just say, it’s unlikely that Bhad Bhabie is flying Spirit anymore. First known for her legendary appearance on Dr. Phil, 20-year-old Danielle Bregoli became one of the most iconic memes in 2016 as the “Cash me outside, how bow dah” girl.
In 2017, Bregoli capitalized on her newfound fame by exploring her love of music. Her song “These Heaux,” released under her stage name, Bhad Bhabie, made her the youngest female rapper to have a song on the Billboard Hot 100—she was roughly 13 at the time!
After a year, in September 2018, Bregoli debuted her first mixtape, 15. The mixtape’s lead single, “Hi Bich,” achieved significant commercial success by landing on the coveted Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Bregoli’s second single to achieve this feat.
Danielle Bregoli, who gained fame as Bhad Bhabie, has experienced a significant surge in her net worth in recent years, with her estimated net worth skyrocketing to approximately $25 million, reflecting her successful ventures and growing prominence (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Though rap fans love to hate her, there’s no denying that Bhad Bhabie has made her mark on the music industry… for better or worse.
6. Megan Thee Stallion — Grammy-Winning Powerhouse with a Net Worth of $30 Million
Megan Thee Stallion inspires all of our hot girl summers. Although she is a newcomer to the rap game compared to some of the other women on this list, her repeat radio plays and recent hits show that she is one to watch.
Megan Thee Stallion stuns in a glamorous white dress adorned with intricate silver straps and a statement diamond necklace (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
Born in San Antonio, Texas, Megan’s mother, Holly Thomas, rapped under the pseudonym “Holly-Wood” and would often take a young Megan to the studio with her, so it is no wonder she was interested in the hip-hop world.
Though Megan began rapping at 14, she didn’t show off her skills to her wordsmith mother until she was 18, who made her promise to wait until she was 21 to pursue a career as a rapper.
In September 2019, Megan Thee Stallion signed a management deal with Roc Nation, yet she continues to release her music through her partnerships with 1501 Certified Ent and 300 Entertainment (Credit: lev radin / Shutterstock)
Megan Thee Stallion released her first single, “Like a Stallion,” in April 2016 but didn’t get signed until 2018, making a deal with indie Houston label 1501 Certified Entertainment.
She was the first female rapper for the label and released her acclaimed debut album, Tina Snow, named after her alter-ego, under their umbrella that year. In 2019, she landed a coveted spot on XXL’s “Freshman Class.”
Now signed with 300 Entertainment, Megan Thee Stallion has cranked out a gargantuan number of club anthem, hot girl hits, including “Savage” featuring Beyonce, “34+35 Remix” with Doja Cat and Ariana Grande, Cardi B’s “Wap,” and “Thot Shit.”
Megan Thee Stallion, a highly acclaimed rapper, has received numerous awards throughout her career, including being recognized as the second female rapper to win a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, highlighting her remarkable achievements and talent in the music industry (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
Though she hasn’t been in the game for decades, she has won several awards, including (multiple) BET Awards, American Music Awards, and three Grammy Awards, becoming only the second female rapper to win a Grammy for Best New Artist.
We will undoubtedly continue to see big things from Megan Thee Stallion and expect her net worth to keep increasing.
5. Salt-N-Pepa — Pioneering Trio with a Combined Net Worth of $39 Million
Though Sandra Denton, Cheryl James, and Deidra Roper are all trailblazing female rappers, it felt best to keep the iconic hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa together.
Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper all grew up in the streets of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. Each woman struggled with the fast-paced city life in lower-middle-class homes, finding solace in listening to music.
Salt-N-Pepa, the iconic female hip-hop trio from the 1980s, consists of members Sandra “Pepa” Denton, Cheryl “Salt” James, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper, who collectively made a lasting impact on the music industry with their pioneering contributions (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)
Though it would be sweet to say Salt, Pepa, and Spinderella grew up together, making up songs on the streets of Brooklyn Beastie Boys-style, the trio actually didn’t meet until later in their lives.
James (Salt) and Denton (Pepa) eventually met in 1985 while they were both attending Queensborough Community College. The pair first rapped together for a school project, naming their duo “Super Nature” before deciding on the name Salt-N-Pepa.
They were joined by another woman before she was replaced by none other than Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper in 1987.
Salt-N-Pepa’s debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious, sold more than 1 million copies in the US, making them the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status (Credit: lev radin / Shutterstock)
The trio released five studio albums: Hot, Cool & Vicious, A Salt with a Deadly Pepa, Blacks’ Magic, Very Necessary, and Brand New.
They were the first all-female rap group to achieve major album sales goals that achieved gold, platinum, and multi-platinum and were the first female rap group to win a Grammy, an achievement no one had held before them.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Salt-N-Pepa made history in 1995 as the first female rap group to win a Grammy Award, solidifying their status as trailblazers in the music industry (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
These ladies, with a combined net worth of $39 million, were the first to show women around the world that they did have a place in the boys’ club hip hop scene and deserve the utmost respect.
4. Missy Elliott — Innovative Rap Icon with a Net Worth of $50 Million
Whether you put the thing down, flip it, or reverse it, there is no denying that Missy Elliott is worth it and deserves a spot on this list.
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, a young Missy Elliott experienced many things that she would later reference in her music, such as domestic abuse at the hands of her father, sexual assault, being threatened with a gun, and fleeing from the family home with her mother.
Missy Elliott formed an all-girl R&B group called Fayze, later renamed Sista, in 1991 and recruited her neighborhood friend Timothy Mosley, aka Timbaland, as the group’s producer (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Missy Elliott had a passion for music and used her creative side as an outlet for many things she felt she could not talk about.
In 1991, she began an all-girl R&B group called Sista, formerly Fayze. Funnily enough, she brought on a friend from her neighborhood, Timothy Mosley, who is now known best as Timbaland.
Soon, Sista signed to Elektra Records. Missy Elliott found herself lending her skills to other artists during this time, writing and rapping on a young Raven-Symoné’s debut track, “That’s What Little Girls Are Made Of.”
Missy Elliott, in 1997, achieved significant success with the release of her debut solo album “Supa Dupa Fly,” which attained platinum certification, and her remarkable achievements in the music industry have contributed to an estimated net worth of approximately $50 million (Credit: Nikola Spasenoski / Shutterstock)
She also helped write and produce some of Aaliyah’s most famous songs, including “If Your Girl Only Knew,” “One in a Million,” “4 Page Letter,” and “Hot Like Fire.”
In 1997, Missy Elliot released her solo debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, which became certified platinum and shot the rapper to international fame.
In 1999, she released Da Real World, followed by Miss E… So Addictive in 2001, Under Construction in 2002, and This is Not a Test in 2003.
Missy Elliott has earned four Grammy Awards and sold over 30 million records in the United States (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Missy Elliott has won four Grammys and has sold more than 30 million records in the United States alone, and songs like “Get Ur Freak On” and “Work It” are genuine classics.
3. Queen Latifah — Hip-Hop Royalty with a Net Worth of $70 Million
Queen Latifah is the blueprint for future female rappers who want to do a little bit of everything because this lady has done just about everything there is to do in show business.
Born Dana Elaine Owens, Queen Latifah grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She claims that at the age of eight, she discovered her stage name, Latifah, which means “delicate” or “very kind” in Arabic.
She performed in musicals during school but got her start in show biz as a beatboxer with the hip-hop group Ladies Fresh.
Queen Latifah, who started as a beatboxer for Ladies Fresh, rose to fame in 1988 with her debut single “Wrath of My Madness,” and her accomplished career spans music, film, and television, resulting in an estimated net worth of approximately $70 million (Credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock)
She recorded a few demos of her raps, and in 1989, she was signed by Tommy Boy Music. She began to gain a healthy following because many of her early recordings featured personal, vulnerable lyrics about her experiences as a Black woman that other women could relate to.
In addition to her rap albums, Queen Latifah also made a foray into singing soul music and jazz standards, releasing an album under her legal name, The Dana Owens Album.
Her work on another album, Trav’lin’ Light, was even nominated for a Grammy as Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Aside from her music career, Queen Latifah also launched a career in acting in the early 1990s, starring in films like Chicago, Bringing Down the House, and Hairspray (Credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock)
Of course, Queen Latifah was not spending all her time in the studio—she was on set, too! The rapper and actress has been in several titles, including Chicago, Hairspray, and Last Holiday, all of which Latifah was highly praised by critics for her performance.
Queen Latifah has received numerous impressive accolades during her storied career, including a Grammy, an Emmy, a Golden Globe, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and an Oscar nomination.
Additionally, the rapper made history in 2006 when she became the first hip-hop artist to have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Queen Latifah made history in 2006 when she became the first hip-hop artist to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
There is no doubt that Queen Latifah has made her mark on the hip-hop industry and the world, making her one of the most famous female rappers of all time. Her influence cannot be understated, and she has rightfully earned a spot on this list, paving the way for many other women.
2. Cardi B — Bronx Superstar with a Net Worth of $80 Million
Once just a humble girl from the Bronx, 30-year-old Cardi B is now a force to be reckoned with. She first came into the public eye for her hilarious videos on Instagram and Vine, which helped the then-exotic dancer score a gig. The American rapper regularly appeared on Love & Hip Hop: New York, where viewers watched Cardi B explore her ambitions as a musical artist.
Cardi B, who worked as an exotic dancer from the age of 18 until she gained popularity on Vine and Instagram, decided to leave that profession at the age of 23, and with her subsequent success in the music industry, she has amassed an impressive net worth of approximately $80 million (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
One of the hottest female celebrities, Cardi B released two mixtapes — Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in 2016 and 2017, respectively — before signing a lucrative record deal with Atlantic Records.
In 2018, Cardi B released her much-awaited first studio album, Invasion of Privacy, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 list. If that wasn’t a feat in itself, Invasion of Privacy became certified triple platinum, making it the best-selling album by a female rapper in the 2010s.
Even more, Cardi B became the first solo female artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was the first rap album by a woman to be nominated for Album of the Year in over fifteen years!
Award-winning rapper Cardi B has won several awards, including a Grammy Award, eight Billboard Music Awards, five Guinness World Records, and six American Music Awards (Credit: lev radin / Shutterstock)
Still, Cardi B has shown no signs of slowing down. She is a frequent player on radio stations across the world, with hits including “Bodak Yellow”, “I Like It”, “Girls Like You,” and who could forget “WAP”?
She is beloved by fans and critics alike for her aggressive flow, cheeky wordplay, and often explicit lyrics. However, her discography isn’t all sex and partying, as songs like “Be Careful” show a softer, more vulnerable side of the rapper, barbed with the threat of a powerful woman.
Outside of music, Cardi B recently became the first-ever Playboy creative director in residence (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
In addition to her impressive discography, Cardi B has made a foray into the publishing world, joining the team at Playboy magazine as creative director in 2022.
Like many of the other women on this list, Cardi B has frequently come under fire for her sex-positive, explicit lyrics, but her success (um, hello, her net worth is estimated at $80 million and still rising) and business prowess shows the public that a woman doesn’t need to fit the cookie-cutter housewife stereotype to be a powerful role model.
1. Nicki Minaj — The Queen of Rap with a Net Worth of $150 Million
Calling all Barbz! Nicki Minaj is one of the most successful rappers — male or female — of the 21st century. However, her life wasn’t all glitz and glamour in the beginning. She was born in Trinidad, where her mother was an accountant and gospel singer, and her father worked as a financial executive.
Unfortunately, her father had a nasty temper and struggled with addiction, which led to him burning down Minaj’s family home in 1987 when she was only five years old.
Nicki revealed in a heartfelt Instagram post that she was an illegal immigrant in the country at only five years old, speaking out against the cruel treatment of immigrant children at the United States and Mexico border. This makes Nicki Minaj’s success story all the more powerful!
Nicki Minaj, originally pursuing acting, gained her first break in the entertainment industry with a role in the Off-Broadway play “In Case You Forget” in 2001 and has since achieved tremendous success in music, resulting in an estimated net worth of approximately $150 million (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
Nicki Minaj initially released three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009, but it was not until the release of her first studio album, Pink Friday, that the rapper hit the international stage.
The album was the soundtrack of the year, with the hit single “Super Bass” hitting number three on the Billboard Hot 100 list, making it the highest-charting song by a female rapper since 2002.
Fans were immediately drawn to Minaj’s unique flow, peppered with multiple characters voiced by the rapper, and bubblegum aesthetic, which carried over into Minaj’s other works.
Nicki Minaj experienced worldwide acclaim and success after the launch of her debut studio album “Pink Friday” in 2010, propelling her to stardom and solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the music industry (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
She released Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded in 2012, which reached number one in multiple countries, then The Pinkprint in 2014 and Queen in 2018.
Queen featured one of Nicki Minaj’s most successful singles, “Anaconda,” which featured an immediately recognizable sample of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and an iconic video that featured a number of juicy, jiggling booties.
The music video for “Anaconda” became the first music video from a solo female rapper to hit a whopping one billion views on YouTube — a testament to Minaj’s influence.
In addition to her music career, Nicki Minaj showcased her acting skills by appearing in various films such as “The Other Woman” and “Barbershop: The Next Cut,” further expanding her creative repertoire and reaching wider audiences (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Not only one of the most successful female rappers, Minaj is also cited as one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, frequently hailed as “The Queen of Rap” by fans and critics.
In addition to her insanely successful discography, Nicki Minaj has also made her way onto the big screen, appearing in films such as The Other Woman and Barbershop: The Next Cut. Nicki Minaj’s fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2, was officially released on December 8, 2023. Her tour to support the album was the highest-grossing concert tour of all time by a female rapper.