For whatever reason, I have yet to hear a woman in hip-hop control the mic with any type of enduring presence. I suppose there may be one or two female MCs around who can hold it down with the boys, but I have yet to hear them.
However down in Jamaica, almost all of my favorite Dancehall tracks are sung by female MCs. I don't think it is so much because of the fact that they are female voices on this that makes me love these songs. Sister Nancy, Lady Ann, and Sister Carol all just happen to have excellent flow and delivery.
Sister Nancy- Bam Bam
Sister Nancy sounds like she was recording this song on Jupiter rather than Jamaica. The lyrics are wonderfully existential. Oh God, the way it echoes...
Lady Ann- Informer
Lady Ann actually sounds like a litle boy here. She gives off the vibe of a schoolgirl singing during recess while playing hopscotch.
Sister Carol- Dread Natty Congo
Video- embedding was disabled, lame.
Sister Carol is a little bit more recent than Sister Nancy or Lady Ann. As a result the music is not stripped down dub beats, but instead has a more vibrant sound. Also Sister Carol "sings" more than Nancy or Ann, who seem to be chanting as much as singing.
All three tunes are excellent summer jams, and the first two also serve as excellent introductions to the early Dancehall style.
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