- HOMEGROWN WORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
For a long time, female rappers have been boxed into a single, tired narrative — that all they talk about is sex. Whether it’s Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Lil’ Kim, or CupcakKe, the assumption is that if a woman grabs the mic, it must be to rap about her body. Never mind that men have been doing the same for decades about our bodies. But the essential difference to understand here is that when women talk about sex, it is a radical and powerful move to subvert the male gaze, dismantle shame, and reclaim their sexual agency.
Like sexuality, there are many themes across one's identity that, in the perspective of a woman, becomes more potent because it's fundamentally coming from a marginalized perspective. When women from cultures that are often erased or stereotyped in mainstream media step into the rap game, they bring with them histories, dialects, conflicts, migrations, and mythologies that reshape the very fabric of hip-hop .
Here are five South Asian female rappers who are using hip-hop as a vehicle for cultural memory, political commentary, and personal truth, pushing the genre into new and necessary territory.
Reble, born Daiaphi Lamare, is an Indian rapper from Meghalaya whose music is as unapologetic as it is deeply rooted in identity. Her style blends sharp lyricism pulling from influences like Eminem and André 3000 while grounding her voice in the lived realities of being an independent artist from the Northeast. She’s a multilingual artist switching between English, Khasi, and Jaintia, addressing themes of gender, power, cultural bias, and self-definition, while often critiquing mainstream optics.
Jeny Yonjan, who goes by the stage name Rato Rani, is a rising Nepalese-American rapper. Rooted in rhythm from her early days as a dancer and later finding her voice through poetry, her creative evolution led her to music. Her latest debut single, Rato Rani, is a bold introduction, fusing catchy rhythms with personal expression and cultural pride. The name 'Rato Rani', which translates to 'red queen' or 'night-blooming jasmine' in Nepali, nods to a popular song cherished in Nepal, previously sung by artists like Prashant Tamang and Danny Denzongpa. By reclaiming and reinterpreting the title, Rato Rani plants herself firmly in the lineage of Nepali musical heritage, while simultaneously reshaping it with her own voice.
Eva B, a veiled rapper from Lyari, Karachi, is the first Baloch artist to be featured on a Times Square billboard. Rapping in Balochi and Urdu, she began posting freestyles to YouTube in 2014, inspired by Eminem and Queen Latifah. Her breakout, a Gully Boy–inspired track, earned her the nickname ‘gully girl’ and the familial support to perform — albeit only if she kept her face veiled, which has since become her artistic signature. Her lyrics confront gender-based violence, cultural silencing, and the struggles of women in her community, using the very restrictions placed on her as a form of defiance.
Lil Enza is a rising force in the Sinhala music scene, breaking ground as one of the few female rappers outside Colombo. Known for her sharp lyrics and compelling visuals, she blends Sinhala rap with contemporary styles to tell stories that are both personal and socially aware. Her tracks like Man Wage Kellek have gained traction on YouTube, alongside collaborations with artists like Cairo Rich.
Tuku is a Bangladeshi hip-hop artist whose work sits at the intersection of cultural identity and political commentary. Rapping in Bangla, she uses hip-hop as a tool to amplify issues of equality, freedom of expression, and the media's role in shaping public discourse. Her tracks often critique censorship, celebrate resilience, and reflect on the realities of life in Bangladesh. Her lyrics often draw from personal experiences and community struggles. Beyond solo work, she’s also collaborated on film scores and international projects, using every platform available to push Bangla hip-hop into broader conversations.
