In addition to newer, more sexually explicit rappers, there are quite a few rappers addressing a range of other topics. Rapsody is one of the best doing it. With flawless delivery, wordplay, production, and storytelling, the North Carolina-based emcee centers Black women and the experiences of Black people in her songs. Her latest album, Eve, is a tribute to pioneering Black women who broke barriers and, bar for bar, a groundbreaking rap album. Each track is named after a dynamic Black woman who inspires her.

Rapsody isn’t the only Black woman or gender non-conforming person rhyming about injustice or unrest. Whether rapping about Trump or remaking Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” into a searing LGBTQ anthem, “Proud,” Chika is one to watch as well. As a dark-skinned, plus-size, queer, and Black gender non-conforming person in a crowded music scene in which colorism, fatphobia, a rigid gender binary, and homophobia thrive, Chika breaks barriers. Chika’s penchant for “keepin’ it real” makes them stand out among rap peers as well.

Rappers like Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, and Leikeli47 elevate the bar of creativity within rap music. In the tradition of Missy Elliott, the songs and videos of these artists defy conventions and delight in the abstract, fantastical, and unexpected. Rejecting formulaic approaches to both rapping and music videos, these young women deliver multi-sensory experiences. They revel in standing out and looking and sounding different from other rappers.

There’s also a multi-hyphenate artist like Lizzo. She sings, raps, twerks, and plays the flute. Although she’s been in the game for a few years, 2019 was her breakout year. Whether collaborating with her idol Missy Elliott or rocking her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, the Grammy-nominated artist is headlining sold-out shows, topping the Billboard chart, and stunting on the folks on her breathtaking British Vogue cover. Her message of self-love and body positivity is among the many things to love about this young starlet who is “100% that bitch.”

Megan Thee Stallion. Photo: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Veterans of the game are making moves as well. Trina dropped her sixth studio album, The One, in June 2019. Nicki Minaj’s single “Megatron” was a certified summer anthem and her colorful collaboration with Fendi made waves in the fashion industry. Missy Elliott headlined at the 2019 Essence Music Festival. Elliott also dropped a new EP, Iconology, and an amazing music video for the single “Throw It Back.”

Achieving in the rap game is challenging for any artist. Longevity and diversification are even rarer. These Black women found ways to remain relevant and connect to hip-hop culture through new projects, performing, and creating or starring in television shows. Many people understandably view rap as a young man’s game, but these Black women show the possibilities of growing up in hip-hop and remixing old — or crafting new—lanes.