By: Taren Vaughan
BET’s new reality show “Hip Hop Sisters” is on its way. Many would argue that the Hip Hop game just isn’t what it used to be, especially when it comes to female rappers. Young Money’s Nicki Minaj has been dominating the female rap game for years now and has managed to hold on to her top spot with ease, even with Rapper Eve coming off her music hiatus with the release of her latest album “Lip Lock” and Lil Kim announcing that she has a new album coming out soon. But back in the early ’90’s, there were a number of female emcees rocking the mic and coming hard with their lyrical delivery on tracks. And now, a few of them are all coming together for the new reality show “The Hip Hop Sisters,” one of the four unscripted TV shows BET plans to air this summer as the network is trying to bring more positive shows to viewers in hopes to increase ratings. The show will star the legendary MC Lyte, along with her mentee Lil Mama, The Lady of Rage, Yo Yo, Smooth and Monie Love.
Here’s a brief description of what you can expect from the new series:
HIP HOP SISTERS is a docu-drama following the re-launch of six female rappers’ careers. MC Lyte, The Lady of Rage, Yo Yo, Smooth, Monie Love, and Lil Mama join forces and declare themselves – The Hip Hop Sisters. Their goal is to reclaim their titles as The Queens of Hip Hop – as they manage their drama-filled personal careers and lives and search for the next great female MC. MC Lyte joins Lemmuel Plummer (Vindicated, The Sheards) as Executive Producer.
Will you be tuning in?
No….I’m good. Thanks though.
This sounds pretty boring. But I’ll give it a chance because of all the legends on it…
So I’m assuming these women are low on funds. I honestly feel like those who contributed greatly to music should not do reality TV…ever. It just ruins their images beyond repair.
I guess this is BET’s answer to R&b Divas. Interesting.
That’s what I’m thinking too. BET is desperate because OWN and TV One is killing it.
Really? I didn’t see this one coming.
I’ll watch! I love me some MC Lyte!
Then why are you a Nicki Minaj fan? LOL. J/K
We should all at least try to watch just for support.
These women came up in an industry that is very hard for women to get a foothold in. That we even know their names is a testament to the work that they had to put in. Staying relevant is not easy for any artist and it is ten times harder in hip hop where it seems that only one or two women are given the spotlight at a time and they’ve got to be ultra-sexual to even get those spots (as opposed to men who only have to have skill).
For these women to now open themselves to a reality show deserves our respect no matter how we feel about the genre itself (reality tv, not hip hop). It is a risky and brave move and they’re likely doing it primarily for money (I’m sure they have families to care for), but it is one that might also be helpful to women in that industry as I know that these women are serious about their craft and not just interested in taking their clothes off or becoming some sort of “character” for cash. They represent real female emcees and I for one appreciate their efforts and will lend my support for that very reason alone.