The girls have something to say, and if I were you, I would add them to your playlist. Whether you’re about to hit the gym, getting ready for a night out, or need some new affirmations to say in the mirror, these 4 lyrical queens are exactly what you need.

Hip-hop has always been a male-dominated genre, but the introduction of social media and Soundcloud has changed the game. Offering more opportunities for up-and-coming women in Hip-Hop to dominate. While some women in Hip-Hop are taking a more…conservative route, these 4 are giving us something to hope for in the genre.

1. Monaleo

This Houston raptress has been on the scene since around 2020, and her playful but hard-hitting bars have been making the streets buzz ever since. Known for her bold lyricism, emotional honesty, and strong connection to Houston’s rap scene, Monaleo (born Leondra Roshawn Gay) began gaining attention in 2021 with her breakout single “Beating Down Yo Block,” which went viral on social media and introduced her fierce delivery and confident persona to a wider audience.

Monaleo’s music blends Southern hip-hop bravado with deeply personal themes, often addressing topics such as heartbreak, mental health, and resilience. Her 2025 album, “Who Did the Body“, and the sold-out “Who Did the Body” tour further established her as a dynamic and evolving artist. She recently won her first-ever award after taking home the NAACP Outstanding New Artist Award.

Tracks to Add to Your Playlist:

• Putting Ya Dine’
• Beating Down Yo Block
• Don Who Leo

2. KenTheMan

Confident delivery, NSFW lyrics, and a dash of arrogance are rooted in KenTheMan’s sound. Born Kentavia Tytiana Miller in 1994 in Houston, she began rapping as a teenager. Initially experimenting with freestyles before developing a more defined artistic identity. KenTheMan first gained major attention with her 2019 breakout single “He Be Like,” a bold and provocative track that went viral and helped establish her as a rising voice in Southern rap.

Her music is often described as witty, sexually expressive, and empowering, blending humor with sharp punchlines and storytelling. In 2022, she was selected for the XXL Freshman Class alongside Doechii, Big Scarr, Saucy Santana, and Kalii. Her debut album, “Kinda Famous,” released last March, was a major hit without any label deadlines (she’s an independent artist) or calculated rollouts, but from the momentum of fans screaming her memorized lyrics in viral videos.

Tracks to Add to Your Playlist

• Black (Extended Version)
• I Got Questions ft Kaliii
• Anyways, Whatever

3. Kaliii

It’s only fair that Kaliii is on this list. The Panamanian rapper from Roswell, Georgia, made her biggest breakthrough in 2023 with the hit single “Area Codes,” which went viral on social media and achieved platinum certification. The song’s catchy, confident lyrics and modern take on dating culture made it one of her most recognizable tracks and pushed her into mainstream visibility. She and KenTheMan are close friends and are often seen out together on stage rapping their hit single, “I Got Questions.”

Tracks to Add to Your Playlist

• Area Codes
• MMM MMM
• Do A B

4. Maiya The Don

The southern rappers have been holding it down, but Maiya the Don represents Brooklyn, New York, and you can hear it in her verses and style. She confidently calls herself Sistopher Wallace, a play on the real name of Brooklyn legend Biggie Smalls (Christopher Wallace), and she sports Knicks gear. Her rise began in 2022, when snippets of her music started gaining traction online, especially tracks like “Chiraq” and “222”.

However, it was her viral single “Telfy” that launched her career and personally made me a fan. With co-signs, performances at major events like New York Fashion Week, and recognition such as XXL Freshman honors, Maiya the Don is establishing herself as a rising star with strong momentum in Hip-Hop.

Tracks to Add to Your Playlist

• Telfy
• Let’s Be Clear
• Hella Scary