The ’50 Years of Hip Hop’ celebrations continue
Netflix’s latest documentary, Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop, pays homage to the female emcees of the genre, from the 1970s to the present.
Premiering August 9th, the timely limited series sheds light on women of hip hop and their role in the genre’s 50 years. The film will explore how the genre changed the world within the wider social, racial, and political landscape from a female lens.
Each of the four installments features legendary emcees such as MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Rah Digga. Newer artists such as Latto, Tierra Whack and Saweetie make appearances alongside stylists, and journalists.
Female pioneers of hip-hop such as Roxanne Shante and Sha-Rock are expected to receive flowers in the series.
Shante, referred to as the Queen of Rap, first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and was part of the hip hop collective, Juice Crew. Similar to Shante, MC Sha-Rock, referred to as “Mother of the Mic,” rose to prominence in the 70s. Her “echo chamber” style of rap influenced notable rappers such as MC Lyte and Run DMC.
MC Lyte and dream hampton (Surviving R. Kelly) are among the executive producers.