When it comes to Hip-Hop history stats, few can boast the industry “firsts” that Nicki Minaj can.
As if being the first woman of any genre to own 100 Hot 100 hits wasn’t enough to brag about, Minaj has more top 10 and top 20 hits than any other femcee ever – a record she extended as recently as this month. In fact, Billboard even crowned the Harajuku Barbie as greatest female Hip-Hop act of all time – a feat that saw her leave the likes of royal forerunners MC Lyte, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, and others in her rearview.
For the aforementioned reasons and others, Nicki was among the expected names set to line the guest list of Netflix’s highly anticipated ‘Ladies First: A Story of Women In Hip-Hop.’
But, when the special’s official trailer dropped Tuesday (July 25), the rapstress’ fans – affectionately called #Barbz – were none-too-pleased with her absence.
Details inside.
Netflix joins the industry-wide celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary by shining a spotlight on the female movers and shakers that helped make the genre the force it has become in modern music.
Premiering August 9, ‘Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop’ is a four-installment feature that boasts appearances from pioneers like MC Lyte, Da Brat, and Queen Latifah to current artists like Cardi B, Latto, Tierra Whack, Coi Leray, Saweetie, and others discussing the indelible impact of women who have shaped and are currently shaping the Rap movement.
Peruse of the list of contributors notes the glaring absence of Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, Lauryn Hill, Foxy Brown, and Minaj – five of the genre’s leading ladies.
And while rumors have it the omissions were due to some of their refusals to allow their music to be played during the broadcast, Nicki fans weren’t buying that reasoning.
Look below to see highlights of #Barbz who sounded off about the matter.
It’s not just the barbs… they went cray over not seeing missy elliott foxy etc
*sigh* it’s very clear from the trailer that they’re talking to retired legends and the “next generation”.
Now, if Missy wasn’t there, that’s a real issue
Regardless of the matter, they still intentionally leave Nicki out. As if she had zero impact in Hip Hop. As if she’s “currently” STILL not the MOST successful female rapper alive. It doesn’t make sense.
How do you know she didn’t decline the invitation? If they intentionally snubbed her she woulda been on twitter going off. Come on now. You can’t mention female rap without Nicki Minaj. It looks like they omitted a lot of legends.
they’re not wrong… setting aside personal feelings about nicki, you can’t talk about the history of women in hip-hop without including her. and the same with lil kim, missy elliott, etc.