Roxanne Shanté

Roxanne Shanté (born January 14, 1969, as Lolita Gooden) is an iconic American rapper and hip-hop pioneer who emerged from the Bronx in the early 1980s during the formative years of rap music. As one of the first major female rappers, she broke through a male-dominated genre with her sharp lyricism, quick wit, and confident delivery. Shanté rose to national prominence through the 'Roxanne Wars,' a series of rap battle records beginning with her 1984 hit 'Roxanne's Revenge,' which responded to UTFO's 'Roxanne Roxanne.' This sparked one of hip-hop's first major competitive exchanges, establishing the tradition of battle rap in the genre. Beyond the Roxanne Wars, she released the album 'Bad Sister' (1989) and appeared on tracks with major producers and rappers throughout the 1980s. Shanté's fearless approach to rap and her ability to hold her own against male rivals made her a trailblazer for female rappers who followed. Though her commercial prominence peaked in the 1980s, her influence on hip-hop culture and female representation in rap remains significant. She has maintained a presence in music and cultural commentary, recognized as a foundational figure in rap history and an inspiration to generations of female rappers.