Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance
Encyclopedia
The Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance was an honor presented to female recording artists at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003 and the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004 for quality rap
solo performances. The Grammy Award
s, an annual ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, are presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".
Beginning in 1991, the Academy began to honor individual rap performances with the Best Rap Solo Performance
category. In 2003, the category was split into separate recognitions for Female and Male Rap Solo Performances
. The categories remained separated by gender until 2005 when they were combined into the genderless category originally known as Best Rap Solo Performance. American singer Missy Elliott
won the award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance both years it was presented.
category. The category name remained unchanged until 2004 when it was split into separate categories for Female and Male Rap Solo Performances
. The categories remained separated by gender for one additional year. In 2005, they were merged into the genderless category originally known as Best Rap Solo Performance. Female rapper MC Lyte
has campaigned for the reinstatement of the female-specific category and believes that "it destroys [hip-hop] culture to not have the perspective of a woman". Bill Freimuth, Recording Academy Vice President of Awards, claimed that the category was eliminated because "it wasn't enough competition essentially, due to the lack of the number of releases in that category." Black Entertainment Television
(BET) executive Stephen Hill cited a similar reason for the elimination of the female categories by the BET Hip Hop Awards
and VH1
's Hip Hop Honors, reflecting a lack of female representation in the hip hop music
scene for several years. As of 2011, the category name has not changed since 2005.
for "Diary...", Missy Elliott
for "Scream a.k.a. Itchin'", Eve for "Satisfaction
", Foxy Brown for "Na Na Be Like", and Lauryn Hill
for "Mystery of Iniquity". Baltimore's reaction was considered "outright denial" when she learned of her album's nomination because she thought her album did not meet eligibility requirements. Elliott was also nominated for Best Short Form Music Video
, along with Knoc-turn'al
and Dr. Dre
, for "Knoc". The award was presented to Elliott at Madison Square Garden
in New York City, though not broadcasted on television.
Nominees for the 46th Grammy Awards included Da Brat
for "Got It Poppin'", Elliott for "Work It", Lil' Kim
for "Came Back for You", MC Lyte for "Ride Wit Me", and Queen Latifah
for "Go Head
". Elliott's additional nominations included Album of the Year
and Best Rap Album
for Under Construction, Best Song Rap for "Work It", and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
for "Gossip Folks
" (featuring Ludacris
), totaling five. Lil' Kim was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
for "Can't Hold Us Down
" (with Christina Aguilera
) and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Magic Stick
" (featuring 50 Cent
). The award was presented to Elliott for "Work It", the music video
for which was awarded Video of the Year
and Best Hip-Hop Video
at the 2003
MTV Video Music Awards.
Elliott won the award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance both years it was presented. Prior to the separate female and male categories, Elliot received the award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2002 for "Get Ur Freak On
". This marked the second time a female received the award for Best Rap Solo Performance (Queen Latifah was presented the honor for "U.N.I.T.Y.
" at the 37th Grammy Awards in 1995). In 2007, following the return to the genderless category, Elliot was nominated for the song "We Run This
".
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
solo performances. The Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s, an annual ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, are presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".
Beginning in 1991, the Academy began to honor individual rap performances with the Best Rap Solo Performance
Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance was awarded from 1991 to 2011, alongside the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
category. In 2003, the category was split into separate recognitions for Female and Male Rap Solo Performances
Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance was an honor presented to male recording artists at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003 and the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004 for quality rap solo performances...
. The categories remained separated by gender until 2005 when they were combined into the genderless category originally known as Best Rap Solo Performance. American singer Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
won the award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance both years it was presented.
Background
In 1991, the Academy began to honor individual rap performances with the Best Rap Solo PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance was awarded from 1991 to 2011, alongside the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
category. The category name remained unchanged until 2004 when it was split into separate categories for Female and Male Rap Solo Performances
Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance was an honor presented to male recording artists at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003 and the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004 for quality rap solo performances...
. The categories remained separated by gender for one additional year. In 2005, they were merged into the genderless category originally known as Best Rap Solo Performance. Female rapper MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
has campaigned for the reinstatement of the female-specific category and believes that "it destroys [hip-hop] culture to not have the perspective of a woman". Bill Freimuth, Recording Academy Vice President of Awards, claimed that the category was eliminated because "it wasn't enough competition essentially, due to the lack of the number of releases in that category." Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
(BET) executive Stephen Hill cited a similar reason for the elimination of the female categories by the BET Hip Hop Awards
BET Hip Hop Awards
The BET Hip Hop Awards are an annual awards show, airing on BET, showcasing hip hop performers, producers and music video directors. The awards ceremony began in 2006, was held on November 12, 2006 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, was first aired November 15 and was hosted by comedian Katt...
and VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's Hip Hop Honors, reflecting a lack of female representation in the hip hop music
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
scene for several years. As of 2011, the category name has not changed since 2005.
Recipients
For the 45th Grammy Awards (2003), Best Female Rap Solo Performance nominees included Charli BaltimoreCharli Baltimore
Tiffany "Charli Baltimore" Lane is an American Grammy Award nominated female rapper. Her stage name is taken from Geena Davis's character in the film The Long Kiss Goodnight.-Musical career:...
for "Diary...", Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
for "Scream a.k.a. Itchin'", Eve for "Satisfaction
Satisfaction (Eve song)
"Satisfaction" is a song by American rapper-songwriter Eve, released on February 25, 2003 as the second and final single from the album, Eve-Olution . Co-produced by Dr...
", Foxy Brown for "Na Na Be Like", and Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
for "Mystery of Iniquity". Baltimore's reaction was considered "outright denial" when she learned of her album's nomination because she thought her album did not meet eligibility requirements. Elliott was also nominated for Best Short Form Music Video
Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
The Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos...
, along with Knoc-turn'al
Knoc-turn'al
Royal Harbor , known by stage name Knoc-turn'al, is a songwriter and rapper. He is known to write for Dr. Dre.-Albums:...
and Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, for "Knoc". The award was presented to Elliott at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York City, though not broadcasted on television.
Nominees for the 46th Grammy Awards included Da Brat
Da Brat
Shawntae Harris , better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.-Early life:...
for "Got It Poppin'", Elliott for "Work It", Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
for "Came Back for You", MC Lyte for "Ride Wit Me", and Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
for "Go Head
Go Head
"Go Head" is the only single from Queen Latifah's greatest hits album She's A Queen: A Collection of Hits. The song was co-produced by R & B singer Tank. A video was shot for the song. The video's theme is Queen Latifah and a few of her friends riding on motorcycles. Lil Kim appears in the video...
". Elliott's additional nominations included Album of the Year
Grammy Award for Album of the Year
The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer...
and Best Rap Album
Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Album is an award presented to recording artists for quality albums with rapping at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
for Under Construction, Best Song Rap for "Work It", and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
for "Gossip Folks
Gossip Folks
"Gossip Folks" is a 2003 hip hop song by Missy Elliott, featuring Ludacris. The song appears on her 2002 album Under Construction and was chosen as second single release. It peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 in the UK...
" (featuring Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
), totaling five. Lil' Kim was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality pop songs on which singers collaborate...
for "Can't Hold Us Down
Can't Hold Us Down
"Can't Hold Us Down" is a song written by Christina Aguilera, Scott Storch and Matt Morris for Aguilera's second album, Stripped, with production by Storch. Released on August 26, 2003 as the fourth single from the album, the single peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Aguilera's 10th...
" (with Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
) and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Magic Stick
Magic Stick
"Magic Stick" is a hip hop song performed by rapper Lil' Kim, written by the featuring rapper 50 Cent . It was produced by Carlos "Fantom of the Beat" Evans for her third studio album La Bella Mafia .-Background:The song was originally written for 50 Cent's album Get Rich or Die Tryin as a duet...
" (featuring 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
). The award was presented to Elliott for "Work It", the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for which was awarded Video of the Year
MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year
The MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year is the main award handed out at the yearly MTV Video Music Awards. It was first awarded in , when The Cars won it, and has been given out since. Eminem has been the most nominated solo artist, male solo artist, and act in this category, having been...
and Best Hip-Hop Video
MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video was first given out at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. The award, according to MTV, was originally intended for hip-hop-inspired songs, not necessarily actual hip-hop music videos . This explains the recognition of non-hip-hop songs such as "Thong...
at the 2003
2003 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2003 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 28, 2003, honoring the best music videos from June 1, 2002, to June 9, 2003. The show was hosted by Chris Rock at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City...
MTV Video Music Awards.
Elliott won the award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance both years it was presented. Prior to the separate female and male categories, Elliot received the award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2002 for "Get Ur Freak On
Get Ur Freak On
"Get Ur Freak On" is a hip hop song written by American rapper/singer Missy Elliott and her producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley for Elliott's third studio album Miss E... So Addictive. Released as the album's first single in 2001, the track reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Missy...
". This marked the second time a female received the award for Best Rap Solo Performance (Queen Latifah was presented the honor for "U.N.I.T.Y.
U.N.I.T.Y.
"U.N.I.T.Y" is a Grammy Award-winning song by rapper/actress Queen Latifah's 1993 album, Black Reign. The single, released on January 6, 1994, spoke out against the disrespect of women in society, addressing issues of street harassment, domestic violence, and slurs against women in hiphop...
" at the 37th Grammy Awards in 1995). In 2007, following the return to the genderless category, Elliot was nominated for the song "We Run This
We Run This
"We Run This" is the third U.S. single from rapper Missy Elliott's 2005 album The Cookbook, and the lead single from her 2006 compilation Respect M.E.. It samples elements from the The Sugarhill Gang version of The Shadows' song "Apache" and was released in early 2006 in the U.S., where it peaked...
".
See also
- Grammy Award for Best Rap PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Rap PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance was an honor presented to recording artists at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989 and the 32nd Grammy Awards in 1990 and again from 2012 for quality rap performances...
- Grammy Award for Best Rap SongGrammy Award for Best Rap SongThe Grammy Award for Best Rap Song was first awarded in 2004. It is a songwriting award given to all who wrote the lyrics and music of the song. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year...
- History of hip hop music
- List of awards and nominations received by Missy Elliott
- Misogyny in hip hop cultureMisogyny in hip hop cultureMisogyny in hip hop culture refers to lyrics, videos or other aspects of hip hop culture that support, glorify, justify, or normalize the objectification, exploitation, or victimization of women. Misogyny in rap music instills and perpetuates negative stereotypes about women. It can range from...