For years, female artists have been the definition of slept on in Hip-Hop. While many women have carved out successful careers such as Nicki Minaj, Queen Latifah, and even Lil’ Kim, the vast majority of the ladies in Hip-Hop have always flown under the radar or have been subjected to “hook duty” — my made up term for somebody who only does hooks. With today’s version of Hip-Hop being more focused on melodies and vocal abilities than pure flow and lyricism, you would think females would be running the sound. Not the case. Save for Nicki Lewinsky, females are STILL being slept on — we see you Rapsody. With that in mind, we present to you the all female edition of With All Due RESPECT.: 5 Songs You’ve Been Sleeping On. Check out the all female cast below and let us know what you think in the comment section!

Jean Deaux – “XYZ (Feat. Smino)”

Innovative songstress Jean Deaux is an artist worthy of so much praise. After enhancing tracks with artists and groups such as Pro Era, Mick Jenkins, and more; Deaux quietly released a jam of her own in “XYZ.” The track showcases Deaux unleashing her raspy voice and off beat flows over an easy going beat from THEMPEOPLE. Combining clever bars such as “I got the bass for the drummer pack/I light a match to the dumbest gas/You would think it was a bum in class” with a dope guest verse from Smino, “XYZ” is the perfect song to get the vibe going. Check out the track below.

Luna – “Beautiful Girl (Feat. BraveArt)

If nothing else, Las Vegas native Luna should be praised for her interesting single covers. After killing the game with the Method Man edit on her last track “Him“, she came back with the vulnerable still on the track, “Beautiful Girl“. But it’s not just the covers, the tracks are fire. Particularly, “Beautiful Girl” which starts off with a fantastic spoken word style monologue which then leads to a slew of witty double time rhymes. With bars such as, “I got a future so bright/ it obscures and it shines through the night and the darkest of hours/I’m too magical with these black girl powers”, Luna stakes her claim as a sensible lyricist. Check out the track below and be sure to get familiar with the Sin City native.

Noname – “Freedom Interlude”

Though she’s stolen the show on tracks with lyrical marksmen such as the aforementioned Jenkins, Kirk Knight, and even golden boy Chance The Rapper, Chicago native Noname is still somehow slept on. After dropping the “Gypsy” from her name due to hints of racism, Noname again flexed her literary muscles on the sobering loose track, “Freedom Interlude“. Going in over a simple yet inspiring beat that would make Common lose his mind, Noname raps about the “confusion and perception” as she would put it, in her world. Utilizing her soulful rhymes over the soothing track, Noname delivers the perfect track to make anybody smile. Check out the track below.

Zilo – “Figure You Out”

Imagine Macy Gray having a real Hip-Hop flow and witty bars. Now give her a London accent and you’ve got UK native Zilo. Nothing highlight that notion more than her style on the track “Figure You Out“. Serving her raspy lyrics about a frustrated scorned lover, Zilo compliments the warm and bouncy guitar rifts perfectly. Though the lyrics suggest a more somber tone, the combination of Zilo’s wavy falsettos with the groovy kicks and rifts make for a more positive tone. Check out the track below and stop sleeping on the London songstress.

Haresha – “Old Tuck (Feat. Flow Simpson)

Arizona’s music scene has been virtually nonexistent in recent years. Save for a recent spike in popularity for Futuristic, not many artists from the central desert have made much noise. Singer/rapper Haresha is looking the break through those negative notions. After collaborating with fellow Arizona rep Flow Simpson on banging tracks such as, “Jamaican” and “Mo’ Money“, the duo returns again with the weird but intricate track, “Old Tuck“. The track features Haresha flaunting her lyrical ability with rhythmic melodies over a different sounding 187 Beatzz track. The track is a perfect compliment to any smoke sesh and will have you in your thoughts… The good way. Check out the track below and check out Haresha’s recently released debut tape, Haresha In The Cut.

There you have it! Let us know how we did, did we get it right? Are we still sleeping on your favorite local artist? Let us know in the comment section below!

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