Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop

Provocative piece that rightfully puts the spotlight on the development of women MCs from the mere beginnings of rap music in the late 70s early 80s. It was the revelations of how much of an afterthought that having a woman share the limelight within the male driven music industry was a mere novelty or afterthought. Sparky D shining on the Funky Four Plus one where she was simply the plus one. How even 15 years later it still persisted in groups such as the Fugees and Busta Rhymes Flipmode Squad where they featured one woman out of a legion of men. The creators rightfully gave the spotlight to pioneers such as MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Roxanne Shante, Monie Love, Missy Elliot, and a host of others their important contributions leading to current superstars. I was perplexed the film generally ignoring the significance of the groundbreaking Salt N Pepa two female MCs that deserved an entire episode versus a mere mention. Not only did they burst on the scene as the first breakthrough by gender they did it by dissing a male MC! This was unheard of at the time. Then to become the first multi platinum selling female rap group who hit a long range of social issues while remaining humble, and classy paving the way for many of the MCs popular afterwards. The deletion of their contributions seemed deliberate unfortunately. And I understand being supportive of the current crop of women hit makers but giving a pass to the general downgraded hit content seemed like a push from the 4080 record executives that want to keep fans dumb downed and ignorant. I'm sorry but for every Lil Kim we had in the 90s we had a Queen Latifah or Lauryn Hill. There was a balance which today seems pushed by the elite to push ratchet music and messages. Positive rappers such as Rhapsody (who was thankfully included) arent pushed to the masses. Where was Sa Roc or African artist Sampa the Great? It's not empowerment to be able to hug a strip pole and twerk. It's exploitation. It's sad that this behavior is applauded and endorsed and this documentary missed the boat on this. Probably why they skipped Salt N Pepa. Time to Push Back.

No pun intended - there are quite a few documentaries out there. So this wanted to do something different. When we get retrospects on hip hop ... how it got to be, how it became what it is today ... women most of the time are side notes. Not here - we get everything we asked for (and what we didn't ask for). Now there are things that are being glossed over or are being shown in a better light than I think they are (last episode focussing on women working together rather than having beef with each other - sounds great, but the reality has proven they beef as much as men do too).

That said, the documentary also hops from the past to the present ... and back again. But it also had a few things in it I didn't expect! And women I had not really heard of. A 14 old Roshanda ... who also was used by KRS1 ... in a manner he shouldn't have. Would have loved to have heard him talk about why he ... insulted her that way (and I am being generous with that description).

So I think you should have a little understanding of the history (or her story, love that pun - intended or not) of Hip Hop and Rap music. And know a few people - I did not know all the first times the documentary puts a spotlight on. Women are complex - I don't think those who have issues with them (as musicians or otherwise), will change their mind watching this ... but this is not aimed at them. So ... throw your hands in the air ... and wave them like you just don't care (about the haters and their opinion)

A must watch for any female....full stop. Whether you are a female in the music biz ...in any genre... or a stay at home Mom or a school girl or young or legacy or what ever you are doing, the lessons about hustle and sisterhood and determination in this series are encouraging and ispirational. It is a primer for those who didn't know the history of these founding women and a retrospective for those who did. It is a reunion of the OG Women and a celebration of them AND the current and future leaders of the industry. It pulls no punches and tells it direct from those who lived it and made it possible to keep on! Well done!