8 Female Artists Rappers Love

Name your favorite rapper. Eminem, Jay Z or Kendrick Lamar come to mind? What about Lorde? 

Rapper Ro Ransom recently made headlines by calling Lorde his favorite rapper. In a recent article he laid out his argument for why the Grammy-winning teen from New Zealand is his favorite. She’s outspoken, stands for something and even engages in beef with other artists, he argued. The quintessential characteristics of a rapper. These are all good points, but still, she’s not a rapper. She’s an amazing artist and singer, but a rapper is a stretch. We don’t call French Montana a lounge singer because of his horribly-beautiful-crooned choruses. 

Lorde may not be a rapper in our books, but rappers still love her. Rick Ross and Wale jumped on her hit “Royals” last year, and rumors are Kanye West is tapping her to work with him on his upcoming album. Lorde even performs a cover of Yeezy’s “Flashing Lights” during her live performances. That might actually give more credit to Kanye as a singer, than Lorde as a rapper. Anyway, this got us thinking about what other female artists rappers love. Here we go.

Amy Winehouse

Rest in peace to the late and great. Amy’s vintage sound and amazing voice caught the ears of the elite. Jay Z, Ghostface Killah and Nas did songs with her before she died, and Nas’ longtime production Salaam Remi worked with her on her albums. She wasn’t around long enough, but was still certified by the greats. Just imagine the collaborative possibilities with conscious and creative rappers like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole running things now. Not only did rappers love her, just about every artist on this list credits her as an influence.

Check out:

Amy Winehouse feat. Jay Z "Rehab (Remix)"

Nas feat. Amy Winehouse "Cherry Wine"

Amy Winehouse feat. Ghostface Killah "You Know I'm No Good (Remix)"

Adele

Rappers may act tough, but they sure do love Adele’s emotional ballads. Everyone from Big Sean to Nicki Minaj to DMX—yes DMX—have expressed interest in working with the singer. She’s yet to get in the studio with any rapper, but that hasn’t stopped everyone from sampling her. Maybe it’s her powerful and haunting vocals, or how low-key gangsta she is that rappers gravitate towards her. What’s more gangsta that getting revenge on your ex by winning seven Grammys and selling 30 million albums worldwide for album inspired by him? 

Check out:

Big Sean "Hometown" (Samples "Hometown Glory")

French Montana feat. Chinx & Cheese "100" (Samples "Set Fire to The Rain")

Tyga "Reminded" (Samples "Someone Like You")

Lana Del Rey

Hip hop is all about individuality and no one is more herself than LDR. Her unique sound is best described as a sedated 1950’s cabaret singer over hip hop production. She’s got some big cosigns. A$AP Rocky was one of her earliest supporters. He portrayed JFK in her “National Anthem” music video and was set to have her on Long. Live. ASAP before their unfinished track “Ridin’” was leaked. The God Emcee himself, Jay Z, executive produced The Great Gatsby soundtrack featuring Lana. Her love from rappers is widespread, from the art galleries to the trap. French Montana, Alley Boy, Vado and Joe Budden have all sampled her melodramatic songs on their mixtapes. 

Check out:

French Montana feat. Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa "All For You" (Samples "Video Games")

Joe Budden "Off 2 The Races" (Samples "Off To The Races")

Trae Tha Truth feat. B.o.B. "Ugly Truth" (Samples "National Anthem")

Florence Welch

Florence Welch (of Florence + The Machine) is another artist Hov chose for The Great Gatsby soundtrack and Pretty Flacko has worked with her too. Her howling and gothic vocals are packed with emotion and add intensity to every song. Street artists like The Game and French Montana have found her to be a nice complement on their gritty tracks. They’ve both sampled her on multiple occasions, including The Game’s pounding single “Ali Bomaye” with Rick Ross and 2 Chainz. 

Check out:

A$AP Rocky feat. Florence "I Come Apart"

French Montana "Mac & Cheese 3 Intro" (Samples "Only If For A Night")

The Game feat. Pusha T "Name Me King" (Samples "Breath Of Life")

Miley Cyrus

Hate it or love it, rappers love Hannah Montana. She has cosigns from Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Doog, Pharrell and Mike WiLL Made It. If they don’t have a problem with her, no one should. Rappers love her because she’s got talent (as a singer), is rebellious and isn’t afraid to be herself. In a very rapper move, she smoked weed on stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards. 

Check out:

Mike WiLL Made It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J "23"

Miley Cyrus feat. French Montana "FU"

Pharrell Williams feat. Miley Cyrus "Come Get It Bae"

Sia

Sia is a new name to many in the U.S., with her hit “Chandelier” climbing the charts, but she’s been around for a while. The Australian singer has been putting out music since the late '90s but only recently has she been getting our attention—and the attention of rappers. Flo Rida (he’s still considered a rapper right?) grabbed her for his top 5 hit “Wild Ones,” and recently Eminem has found her powerful voice to be the right fit for his epic formulaic ballads of late. Sia is also very active behind the scenes helping some of pop’s biggest artists write their hits. She’s on fire right now and we're sure we’ll be seeing more rappers working with her in the near future.

Check out:

Eminem feat. Sia "Beautiful Pain"

Eminem feat. Sia "Guts Over Fear"

Flo Rida feat. Sia "Wild Ones"

Lorde

No surprise here. As we previously said, rappers love Lorde. No one sounds like, or makes music like her. We are all looking forward to some divine Lorde x Yeezus collaborations (if the rumors are true). Let’s hope we get some Hova throw in too—just to really take the illuminati themes to another level. HOVA X LORDE X YEEZUS.

Check out:

Lorde feat. T-Pain, Rick Ross, Wale & Magazeen "Royals (Remix)"

Lorde "Tennis Court"

Lorde "Team"

Lykke Li

This Swedish soprano has caught the ears of the most creative rappers. Drake, Kanye West, Tyler, The Creator and A$AP Rocky have remixed and been on songs with her. Her unique combination of instruments sounds is like nothing else. Each song has its own vibe. With influences from musical risk takers like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, it’s no surprise she sounds so different.

Check out: 

Drake feat. Lykke Li "Little Bit (Remix)"

Lykke Li feat. A$AP Rocky "No Rest For The Wicked (Remix)"

N.A.S.A. feat. Kanye West, Santigold & Lykke Li "Gifted"