New Era of Female MC's

I am super excited that Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album will be released in a couple of weeks.  Her debut album was a major success, and this time around, Nicki promises us that this album will be epic!  With promotional singles like “Stupid Hoe” and “Roman in Moscow,” it makes me wonder what to expect on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.  I am somewhat excited because there is potential for this album to have less singing and more rapping; Roman is “supposed” to totally take over on this album (I’m thinking “Roman’s Revenge”). Is mixtape Nicki going to make a comeback?

Let’s keep it real, Nicki Minaj is the only female MC in the game right now.  Even if her sophomore album is not successful, it is ok because she does not have any competition at the moment (Lil Kim does not count).  There has been at least one struggling female MC (like Keys) that tried to outshine Nicki, but she was eventually overlooked.  Sure, there are plenty of female RAPPERS out there paving their own way: Teyana Taylor, Brianna, Lola Monroe, and the White Girl Mob.  However, these females are just rappers. Rappers just recite the rhymes to the beat.  An MC is someone who has to recite the rhymes, move the crowd, and lyrical crush their opponents. Nicki Minaj is a female MC; this year might mark the birth of two more. 

Iggy Azalea is an Australian MC that can spit with the big boys.  Her delivery is fast and her words punch; she speaks with confidence.  Although she has only lived in the United States for a few years, she has a great musical pallet. In songs like “Pu$$y” and “My World” she manages to blend Cali and Southern sounds.  (The heavy bass lines, chopped and screwed lyrics, with a little bit of a Cali swag; you can’t beat that!)  She is everything that the White Girl Mob tries to be. 

Then there is Azealia Banks.  She is a 20-year old Harlem MC that attended that same performing arts high school as Nicki Minaj! And yes, you guessed it…she can rap and sing too! Her delivery varies between fast and slow; she can give it to you however you want it. Her lyrics are arrogant, feminine, and vulgar.  She is raw like Lil Kim in 1996; and if you can keep up, you will see that she speaks with purpose.  There are no gimmicks behind Azealia; no different characters, different voices, outrageous costumes, alter egos…nothing.  Her talent and impeccable/diverse beat selection speaks for itself. 

Both Iggy and Azealia are a breath of fresh air and 2012 could very well be their year.  Nicki Minaj and the rest of the world should get familiar. (Follow me @eyediditmyway)