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In Need Of FeMC Messiah
Article by:
Jason Fleurant
 There’s something undeniably missing in Hip-Hop today. Some would argue it’s the lack of great lyricism or light shining on underground Hip-Hop. Some would say that Hip-Hop has died due to the corporate worlds brutal takeover, which has caused it to loose it’s independent creative essence. Let me tell you what I feel Hip-Hop may truly be missing... The FeMC Messiah.
Allow me to break down exactly what I mean when I use the term "Messiah". I’m not giving it religious meaning, in that of "God" but someone that’ll lead the masses like Moses. Someone that can change the current of the River Hip-Hop is drowning in. You know the saying “there’s nothing like a woman’s touch”, this is what Hip-Hop is in need of.
What got me in this thought process was reading the February issue of 'The Source'. In it was an article about how black female emcee’s have disappeared and it seems that the likes of Fregie (The Black Eyed Peas), Nelly Furtado, and Gwen Stefani had taken their place. It’s a very intriguing piece but what really caught my attention was a quote from John Monopoly ( Shawwna’s manager) where he says “We definitely need a female Nas, It’s necessary for the little girls. I love all the fly-talk rappers like Remy Ma and Jackie-O, but we need a balance and perspective. It’s a lot easier, because of today ‘s society, for girls to be on some baller, gold digger tip because that is what they are raised on. We are a Cristal society”.
The message in his statement as a whole stands strong, but certain parts really caught my attention. One being when he says “We definitely need a female Nas”. Why does this linger around on my mind? It’s because when he says “a female Nas” to me he’s not saying an exact copy but someone who has quality and a message. When Nas is mentioned what do we naturally think of? An intelligent street poet whose music is filled with great social commentary and creative concepts. This maybe what Hip-Hop craves for. Women can deliver amazing commentary, creative concepts, magnificent lyricism and still be able to relay it to the masses. This is why acts like Lauryn Hill, Eve and Queen Latifah were so successful in Hip-Hop and commercially as well. Take notice to what where some of their biggest singles “Ladies First”, “U.N.I.T.Y”, “Love Is Blind”, “Satisfaction”, “Gangsta Lovin'“, “Gotta Man”, “Killing Me Softly”, “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, “Everything Is Everything” and the list goes on. The question is why were they such big hits, why did they all do so well in their respective rap careers? It’s because they became a voice for voiceless women. They represented a perspective that is rarely seen or heard today and too deep to pass.
The reason Hip-Hop needs the FeMC Messiah is because it’s time for a change. Hip-Hop is sold and marketed to women therefore making them key holders to a new direction. There is a craving for women to have someone speak on their struggle, be their light. This is why we see R&B artist in the likes of Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Keyshia Cole so successful and loved. It’s because they connect with the people, their words are their fans words. Female emcees like Remy Ma or Shawwna while they can spit with the best seem to lack the ability to be that spokesperson for women. Women catch it the worse in Hip-Hop via lyrics, videos and so on. It’s something that effects our little girls who grow up thinking this is how they should behave and how little boys believe young women should be treated. It’s a cycle that only women can break.
Yet will Hip-Hop be accepting of a female Nas? I asked the very introspective Charlamagne Tha God (best known for working along side Wendy Williams on “The Wendy Williams Experience”) his opinion on weather Hip-Hop was in need of a true female emcee to which he said: “A positive female in hip hop is needed now more than ever for the simple fact females in hip hop right now are only being depicted as video models, whores and bitches. We need a female in the vein of early Queen Latifah to drop a joint like U.N.I.T.Y to remind these chicks that the word bitch is not a word to be glorified. It's not a word of empowerment. That positive female voice in hip-hop is greatly needed.”
It’s undeniable something is missing in Hip-Hop. We’ve witnessed how women on the mic that have real content and passion have been received (i.e. Lauryn Hill, MC Lyte, etc). They’ve been received with open arms and given top honors in Hip-Hop. We are in need of someone or maybe several female MC’s to come through not trying to imitate men or trying to be the rap version of men's fantasies but someone that will be a representative of women’s interests.
Women need to have a voice. There are female emcee’s out there that can become what is needed with the right backing. One great example is Jean Grae or Ms. Jade for instance. We need to demand more from Hip-Hop than the standard bull we continue to see, it’s time for a change or else we maybe on our death beds. Labels need records to sell, and we need creativity so lets give the ladies a chance. Women our dieing for a voice, someone to tell their story, it’s time for the FeMC Messiah to arrive.
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