The Motherlode

With amazing illustrations by Rachelle Baker, the journalist Clover Hope spotlights dozens of women who have played an integral role in hip-hop’s story, from legends such as Roxanne Shanté and Lil’ Kim to less often celebrated trailblazers like Bytches with Problems.

Documenting women's often unrecognized influence, Hope leaves you with a sense of how deeply they have nevertheless left their mark, and keeps their legacy alive for future generations of music-makers.

This compendium of short articles about the women who have lent their voices and spirit to hip-hop is packed with information about the ways early stars like MC Sha-Rock and MC Lyte, chart-toppers like Salt-N-Pepa and Lauryn Hill, disruptive forces like Lil’ Kim and Nicki Minaj, and a host of others have contributed to the sound, energy, style, and image of the music. Lists, charts, and beautiful illustrations add to the pleasures of Hope’s engaging book and, together with her vignettes about the contributions of women artists, producers, writers, and stylists, detail the centrality of women to the foundation and… show more.