Roxane Shanté

Roxane Shanté (born Lolita Gooden, 1969) is an American rapper and hip-hop pioneer who emerged as a major force in the early 1980s New York rap scene. She gained initial fame through freestyle rap battles in the Bronx before recording 'Roxanne's Revenge' in 1984, a response track to UTFO's 'Roxanne, Roxanne' that became an underground classic and established her as a formidable lyricist. Her quick wit, clever wordplay, and fearless delivery set her apart in a male-dominated genre and made her an influential figure in hip-hop's formative years. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Shanté continued recording and performing, contributing to various albums and collaborations while also becoming an advocate for women's rights and social justice. Though her mainstream visibility fluctuated after the 1980s, her legacy as a trailblazer for female rappers remains significant—she paved the way for countless women in hip-hop who followed. Her story, including her struggles and resilience in the industry, has been documented in documentaries and interviews, cementing her place in hip-hop history as an essential early voice.