Pioneering women of hip-hop celebrated in new book, The Motherlode

With Missy Elliott, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil’ Kim, Lauryn Hill, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Lizzo, and more.

A new book celebrating the women who have shaped and influenced hip-hop, titled The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop, is being published by Abrams this February.

Written by Clover Hope, the 240-page book charts the breakthroughs and successes of over 100 artists and crews, including Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Lauryn Hill, Roxanne Shanté and more.

While examining how these artists helped shape and evolve rap, it also seeks to shine a light on how they challenged gender norms and socio-political constraints in the process.

Simultaneously focusing on the uniquely gendered struggles facing female artists, the book notes that many found found themselves “trapped in a strange critical space between respected MC and object.”

Pre-order The Motherlode 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop here in advance of its 4th February publication, and check out the cover below.