Missy Elliott’s ‘Under Construction’ Tops Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, & Lil Kim LPs to Be Crowned the Greatest Female Rap Album of the 21st Century by Rolling Stone

As evidenced by their ‘Greatest Singers Ever,‘ ‘Greatest R&B Songs of the Century,‘ and ‘Most Disappointing Albums of All Time‘ lists (and beyond), Rolling Stone knows how to use their “best-ever” tallies to activate the fan bases of some of popular music’s most prized performers

The latest activation is one that’s spurred several ongoing debates thanks to the mag’s unveiling of their ‘Greatest Albums of the 21st Century’ countdown.

Turning heads all week for crowning Beyonce‘s 2016 LP ‘Lemonade‘ the overall champ, Hip-Hop heads were equally as stunned to see which celebrated female Rap album was crowned Queen.

While Lauryn Hill‘s timeless 1998 classic ‘Miseducation’ reigns at #10 – the highest placement of any female Rap album on Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time‘ tally (updated in 2023), their newest retrospective countdown sees Missy Elliott take the lead.

Titled ‘250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century,’ the January 10-unveiled ranking toasted the quarter mark of the millennium by reflecting on the most game-changing albums released since January 1, 2000.

Among female Rap efforts, Elliott’s 2002 ‘Under Construction‘ was crowned the leader as its #18 placement was the highest of any offering by a femcee. In fact, she’s the only rapstress to boast multiple appearances on the list as 2001’s ‘Miss E…So Addictive’ landed at #164.

Other appearances from female rappers included Doja Cat‘s ‘Hot Pink’ (#239), Cardi B‘s ‘Invasion of Privacy’ (#84), and Nicki Minaj‘s ‘Pink Friday’ (#73) – leaving names like Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, Megan Thee Stallion, Eve, and Trina omitted from the tally all together.

Elliott’s fourth studio project, the 2x Platinum project – which peaked at #3 at the height of its popularity – shines as her highest-certified LP in the United States and houses the single ‘Work It‘ (her highest-charting Hot 100 hit to date).

See the full ‘250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century’ countdown here.