Women Are The Secret Weapon of 2019

The DC, Maryland and Virginia area have been bubbling with new, prominent talent. As Hip Hop has continued its domination on pop culture, it has opened a new door for opportunity for those sometimes overlooked. This year, the women of the DMV Hip Hop scene are breaking out and moving up. In 2018, a handful of local female rappers and singers grew in stardom. Artists such as Rico Nasty, placed on 2K19’s official soundtrack, Chelly the MC, covered in the Washington City Paper, and Kelow LaTesha, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk with rapper GoldLink, generated hundreds of thousands of plays on streaming platforms last year. They perform, sell merchandise and maintain a connection with their growing fanbases across the country- and the world.

It’s obvious the women’s movement is growing not just in politics, but culture and music. The shift of artists being more personable than proper while communicating with their audience is seen most clearly in Cardi B’s career. Her fans and followers pride themselves in supporting someone who’s real, someone who appears organic and inviting. Opening up and being emotional are traits a modern artist needs, and probably what women get called out for doing the most... historically. In this day and age, that can generate success, if done properly. Cardi B’s boisterous and eccentric personality is deemed authentic and has been a critical component throughout her career. It’s relatable and refreshing. She gives her audience energy and somewhat a mirror to reflect themselves and their reality onto her. That sort of relationship is crucial in an ever-changing digital age.

The combination between Hip Hop being the new Pop and the new era of the women’s movement, it seems to be a new dawn for music. Women might have the secret weapon, loved across music and being the muse of most radio hits. The developing popularity of independent artistry has granted thousands free, crucial exposure for their content. It won’t be long until more women are able to make this their career. Undoubtedly, there has never been a better time in Hip Hop for women to blossom than now.