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The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival

Check out this gallery of the many amazing women in Hip Hop who have graced the ESSENCE Festival stage over the last 23 years.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Bennett Raglin
By Rachaell Davis ·

The last two decades have taught us much about the power of women in music and ESSENCE Festival has proudly been a part of keeping that conversation going, while also providing our ladies with a unique platform to shine each year.

ESSENCE Festival 2017 ticket packages are on sale now! For more info about tickets, accommodations and the latest news, visit our Festival page here.

The presence of women in Hip Hop specifically has continued to  evolve with each passing year and there’s certainly been no shortage of ladies who know how to rock the mic at ESSENCE Festival! As we continue to celebrate these fearless trailblazers and prepare to welcome Remy Ma to the Festival for the first time this July, here’s a look back at all of the women in Hip Hop who have graced the ESSENCE Festival stage over the years.

01
Queen Latifah, 47
The legendary rapper and actress took control her health back in the early ’00s, and has since credited diet and exercise as the key to longevity.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
getty images
02
Lauryn Hill
The incomparable L Boogie first graced the ESSENCE Festival stages alongside her Fugees group members in 1996, before later returning to headline the Festival as a solo act in 1999.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
03
MC Lyte
Another iconic woman in Hip Hop, MC Lyte lit up the ESSENCE Festival stage as part of our “Pioneers of Hip Hop” tribute in 2006, before later returning to perform in 2007, 2011 and 2016.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Michael Tran/Getty Images
04
DJ Soul Sister
The legendary DJ Soul Sister first graced the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2008 and returned multiple times afterward in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Josh Brasted
05
Salt N’ Pepa
Trailblazing Hip Hop supergroup Salt-N-Pepa reunited to perform their endless catalogue of hits and fan favorites at the 2009 ESSENCE Festival.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
06
Arrested Development
Alternative Hip Hop conglomerate Arrested Development, which includes two female members Tasha Larae and Montshoe Eshe, graced the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2010.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Getty
07
Missy Elliot
Hip Hop visionary Missy Elliot blessed the ESSENCE Festival stage with a performance of her classics in 2012.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Missy Elliot/ Facebook
08
Eve
Ruff Ryders First Lady and actress Eve did her thing on stage at the 2012 ESSENCE Festival.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
09
Sza
TDE songstress and rapper SZA made her mark on the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2015.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Instagram
10
Dej Loaf
Detroit native Dej Loaf brought her A-game to the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2016.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
John Parra/Getty Images for REVOLT Music Conference
11
Tink
Rising rapstress and songstress Tink also rocked the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2016.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
David Willems
12
Lady Leshurr
British-Jamaican rapper Lady Leshurr shut down the ESSENCE Festival stage with an electrifying performance in 2016.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Katja Ogrin/Redferns via Getty Images
13
Little Simz
Talented UK rapstress Little Simz lit up the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2016.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Roger Kisby/Getty Images
14
Remy Ma
Remy Ma will grace the ESSENCE Festival stage for the first time this year.
The History Of Women In Hip Hop At ESSENCE Festival
Kevin Winter/BETKevin Winter/BET/Getty Images for BET