Democracy Digest: Women Rappers Get Political

It was the voice of the marginalised, pure and simple: "Behind the gray blocks / There we are - the majority / They're higher closer to the street / So the hunger is not visible."

For many Romanians, B.U.G. Mafia's message stands the test of time. They rapped about how the political class was failing ordinary people, forcing them to cut corners — because "I don't know about you, but I feel better with cash in my pocket".

Two decades ago, hip hop in Romania and beyond was mostly a men's game, with lyrics full of curses and macho pride, to say nothing of the total objectification of women. That stuff was hard to swallow. 

Things have changed since then, however. These days, women hip hop artists the world over are challenging the genre.

Just check out the extraordinary rap battle that took place earlier this month in Mexico City when Spanish rapper Sara Socas faced off with male Mexican rival Rapder. As the verbal duel progresses, it turns into a powerful conversation about femicide in Mexico.

"Why are girls not feeling safe?" Socas rhymes, staring straight into Rapder's face. "Why are you keeping them silent and mute?" 

To Rapder's comment that the prettiest women are from Mexico, an increasingly angry Socas replies: "So why the hell are you letting them die? / Why are you only valuing them for their beauty? / Why not check what is going on in their heads?"

In this improvised bit, Socas shows how good hip hop can be at expressing raw emotions like anger. In a culture that for centuries has taught women to be the meeker sex, that is empowering.

Reporting Democracy sent out an informal request to readers to suggest female artists who are stretching the boundaries of hip hop. Here are some of the most impressive.