Women’s History Month
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What better way to celebrate women than by chanting along to some of their greatest girl-power hits? For Women’s History Month, we’ve gathered some of our favorite anthems by women rappers — and a few singers who dipped into the genre — who range from certified legends to burgeoning stars.
According to a recent Spotify-funded study from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, less than 25% of the artists on Billboard’s Hot 100 Year-End chart for 2021 were women–something that has gone virtually unimproved over the last decade. When it comes to songwriters, the numbers are even more alarming, with women comprising 12.7% within the last ten years. It’s hard to believe, with so many certified hits from women across genres, which is all the more reason to keep these uplifting tracks in your rotation.
The round-up spans three decades (beginning with Queen Latifah and ending with Ice Spice) and includes widely-acclaimed hits like Lizzo’s chart-topping single girl anthem, “Truth Hurts” to unforgettable Y2K favorites like “Bossy” by Kelis, all the while keeping you prepared to dominate whatever is to come, regardless of your gender. Some artists on the list even sampled songs from artists who came before them, for example Lizzo sampling Lauryn Hill’s “Doo-Wop (That Thing)” on her 2022 album cut, “Break Up Twice.”
Some cuts motivate us to demand the respect we deserve while others simply get us in the mood to pop out with our baddie friends. While we could’ve listed about a hundred more, here are 15 ear-worm anthems to get you started.
Queen Latifah, “U.N.I.T.Y.”
If instinct leads Queen Latifah “to another flow” every time she hears a man “call a girl a b—h or a ho,” then she must’ve written quite a few raps. While misogyny doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, Latifah’s 1993 Grammy-winning single “U.N.I.T.Y.” serves as a healing balm to women dealing with disrespect across the many facets of life. On the track, the iconic rapper fights back against instances of sexual harassment, abuse and cat-calling, offering golden advice: “A man don’t really love you if he hits ya/ This is my notice to the door, I’m not takin’ it no more.”
Lauryn Hill, “Doo-Wop (That Thing)”
Image Credit: Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images
One of the greatest rappers of our time despite only releasing one studio album, Lauryn Hill has proven time and time again that quality trumps quantity. While many cuts from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill continue to permeate pop culture at large, “Doo-Wop (That Thing)” remains the most anthemic, spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marking Hill’s first and only visit to the top spot on the chart. You’d be hard-pressed to find a woman who can’t rap at least one verse of the truth-filled single word for word, especially the lyric, “Baby girl, respect is just a minimum.”
Eve, “Who’s That Girl?”
If you ever need to gain that final boost of confidence before asking for a raise, confronting your ex or simply want to step outside knowing you’re *that* girl, Eve’s got something for you. The then-first lady of Ruff Ryders Entertainment set off her sophomore album, Scorpion, with a bang, releasing the supergirl cut that went on to appear on the Hot 100, US Rhythmic and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. “Power moves is made every day by this thorough b—h/ I’ma get this bank any way that I do this shit,” she raps.
Missy Elliott, “Work It”
“If you’re a fly gal, get your nails done/ Get a pedicure, get your hair did,” Missy Elliott instructs on the Timbaland-produced “Work It.” An anthem celebrating women of all shapes and sizes, Missy’s “Work It” represents a reclaiming of women’s power over their bodies, sexuality and desires. While the still-heavily-rotated cut never made it to No. 1 on the Hot 100 (“Lose Yourself” by Eminem claimed the top spot for twelve consecutive weeks), “Work It” remained at No. 2 for ten weeks and stuck in our heads forever.
Kelis, “Bossy”
Kelis taught us the important lesson that being liked is not required to be respected. Especially if you’re a boss. The Harlem cool girl who gave us “Milkshake” in 2003 continued to exude H.B.I.C. energy with this 2006 cut, which became Kelis’ third Hot 100 entry. Featuring Bay Arena legend Too $hort, the bouncy track is sure to get you feeling unapologetically badass.
Remy Ma, “Conceited”
Before body positivity and affirmations became hot topics, we had songs like “Conceited,” Remy Ma’s 3-minute self-love pep talk. “Yeah, okay, I got a little fat but/ My shorty tell me he like it like that,” she raps while rolling around blue silk sheets. And why not? She’s conceited, she’s got a reason.
Beyoncé, “Diva”
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/GI
Meet Beyoncé’s boisterous, unapologetic alter ego, Sasha Fierce. She first stepped foot on the scene by way of Bey’s hit-filled 2008 album, I Am… Sasha Fierce. Unlike the sweet and bubbly Beyoncé we all knew, Sasha confidently declares herself the “No. 1 diva in the game,” with reason. In 2023, the pop icon broke the record for most Grammys ever won, bringing in her 32nd gramophone after Renaissance won for best dance/electronic album.
Nicki Minaj feat. Beyoncé, “Feeling Myself”
It’s the link-up of all link-ups. On her epic third studio album,The Pinkprint, Nicki Minaj enlisted none other than Queen Bey for the record-breaking single, “Feeling Myself.” The track, co-written by SZA, spent 20 weeks on the Hot 100 chart, making it the longest charting non-single by a female rapper.
Rihanna, “Bitch Better Have My Money”
There’s a reason why Rihanna opened up her historic Super Bowl Halftime Show with “B—h Better Have My Money.” The track is overflowing with assertive, confident and eye-catching energy, the recently elusive star popping out in an all red look accentuating her growing baby bump. All the while, she effortlessly entranced the crowd, running through her laundry list of No. 1 tracks and barely breaking a sweat. What’s more badass than that?
City Girls, “Act Up”
Image Credit: 2020HHA/Getty Images via Getty Images
If they don’t play “Act Up,” was the party really active? In 2019, City Girls burst into the mainstream with this epically viral smash hit that galvanized women across generations. As soon as the opening melody sounds off in the club, the entire crowd is sure to scream-chant Yung Miami’s opening verse word for word … and likely the rest of the three and a half minute song. It’s always the songs that can liven a crowd in a matter of one second that stand the test of time, and it’s clear that “Act Up” is no exception.
Lizzo, “Truth Hurts”
Lizzo brought us the best catchphrase of 2019 with her Hot 100 chart-topper, “Truth Hurts.” While “Why men great til they gotta be great” is a close second, we’ve got to give it to the Detroit-born songwriting genius’ DNA test, declaring that she is, in fact, “100% that b—h.” With “Truth Hurts,” Lizzo entirely changed the game, proving that in 2019, you don’t have to fit an ultra-skinny, white mold to be an absolutely glamorous pop star.
Lola Brooke feat. Billy G, “Don’t Play With It”
While she stands at a petite four-foot-nine, Lola Brooke is not one to mess with. Case-in-point: “Don’t Play With It.” On it, Brooke proves her versatility, asking for a kiss and an extended clip. Fans joked that the TikTok-viral cut was to women what Chief Keef songs are to men, numerous users posting videos aggressively rapping the lyrics to their boyfriends, who looked on with a tinge of fear in their eyes. And yes, you should be scared.
Latto, “It’s Givin”
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/PMC
Latto enlisted some of our favorite ladies in her “It’s Givin” music video, including Halle Bailey, Ella Mai, Angela Simmons. The track is an ode to all women, featuring mothers, people with physical disabilities, healthcare professionals and same-sex couples posing for portraits as the “Big Energy” singer raps, “Workin’ 9 to 5 and she tryna finish school/ I bring the table to the table, n—a, why would I need you?”
GloRilla & Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2”
Following her breakout hit, “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” GloRilla had no plans of letting up, enlisting superstar rapper Cardi B for her follow up single, “Tomorrow 2.” The track is pure feminine energy, with the two rappers riding around New York City with all their girlfriends in the video, twerking on cars and in subways, or leaving the bodega munching on Takis corn chips. Cardi’s iconic verse on the cut is sure to endure on party playlists for years to come.
Ice Spice, “Bikini Bottom”
No artist took over the past year as swiftly and effortlessly as Isis Gaston, better known as Ice Spice. The Bronx native took the world by storm, releasing bop after bop and uplifting the ladies all the while. While cuts like “Munch (Feelin U)” and her internet-breaking appearance on PinkPantheress’ “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” dominate her catalog, “Bikini Bottom” begs the essential question, “How can I lose if I’m already chose?”
Women’s History Month kicked off strong with three Spanish-speaking artists being honored at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music awards on March 1 in Los Angeles.
Rosalía received the first-ever producer of the year award, presented by Bose, where she expressed that women winning awards for being behind the scenes is unusual; Becky G was awarded the impact award, where she opened up about following her dreams as a 200 percenter (100 percent Latina and 100 percent American); and Ivy Queen was honored with the icon award — becoming the first reggaetónera to receive this merit — where she talked about her battles of finding a spot in the male-dominated reggaetón genre.
What’s even more remarkable about these three women in music is that in addition to each leading their individual successful careers, they’re all about supporting their female colleagues, best seen in their collaborations.
For International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on March 8, Billboard compiled 21 powerful collabs between Latin female artists. The list includes unapologetic bangers, such as iLe and Ivy Queen’s latest track “Algo Bonito” and Ptazeta and Villano Antillano’s “Mujerón,” as well as ultimate breakup songs, such as Becky G and Karol G’s “MAMIII,” and of course Karol’s Shakira-assisted “TQG.” There’s also a couple of joints that are all about reflection and finding your self-worth after a toxic relationship, such as Kany García and Mon Laferte’s “Se Portaba Mal” and India and Goyo’s “Nubes Negras.”
Check out the full list, in alphabetical order by the artist’s first name, below:
Aitana, Ana Guerra, Greeicy & Tini, “Lo Malo”
Because two were not enough, Aitana and Ana Guerra recruited Tini and Greeicy on their 2018 track to add more girl power to their collab “Lo Malo.” The pop-urban song is about a woman who’s not settling for a bad boy.
Watch the music video here
Amandititita & Sandra Echeverría, “De Mejores Corazones Me Han Corrido”
Real-life BFFs Amandititita and Sandra Echeverría joined forces on “De Mejores Corazones Me Han Corrido,” about “a woman who doesn’t allow herself to be defeated by a failed relationship,” according to a previous Billboard interview with Amandititita.
Watch the music video here
Ana Bárbara & Paquita la del Barrio, “El Consejo”
Regional Mexican Queens Ana Bárbara and Paquita la del Barrio joined forces to deliver the ultimate advice you can offer to a friend: “Whoever deceives me, I’ll deceive them/ Whoever hits me, I’ll hit them/ Whoever uses me, I’ll use them/ And so we were even,” — in other words, an eye for an eye.
Watch the music video hero
Becky G & Karol G, “MAMIII”
Set up as what appears to be a spiteful song, the first-ever collab between the two G’s — produced by Ovy on the Drums — quickly takes a turn, transitioning into a bouncy, uptempo anthem about the empowerment that comes after letting go of a toxic relationship.
Watch the music video here
Becky G & Natti Natasha, “Sin Pijama”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
In 2018, Becky G and Natti Natasha took the reins and unapologetically sang about sex, weed, and booty calls, sending the message that it’s OK for women to talk about these topics.
Chiquis, Ely Quintero & Helen Ochoa, “Las Destrampadas”
With this collab, Chiquis breaks down what it actually means to be such a free spirit. “She’s someone who doesn’t necessarily break the rules, but bends them a little bit,” she previously told Billboard. “We just like to party and enjoy life.”
Watch the music video here
Elena Rose, Maria Becerra, Greeicy, Becky G & TINI, “La Ducha (Remix)”
For the remix of her single “La Ducha,” Elena Rose reeled in some of her collaborators — Maria Becerra, Greeicy, Becky G, and TINI — for a steamy track about sexy alone time in the bathroom while thinking of that special someone. The track even samples Becky’s own 2014 hit “Shower.”
Watch the music video here
Flor de Rap & Denise Rosenthal, “Bailalo Mujer”
Santiago artists Flor and Rosenthal’s “Bailalo Mujer” is a danceable pop-urban track about lifting, supporting, and rooting for each other. “In our philosophy, we’re all equal/ And with respect we build realities/ We don’t believe in monarchies, that’s why we’re all queens here,” sings Rosenthal.
Gloria Trevi & Alejandra Guzman, “Mas Buena”
Image Credit: Victor Chavez/WireImage
As part of their first-ever joint Versus Tour five years ago, ’90s rock divas Gloria Trevi and Alejandra Guzman dropped “Mas Buena,” a song about a woman whose life only got better after her relationship was over.
iLe & Ivy Queen, “Algo Bonito”
In the very potent “Dime Algo Bonito” (Tell Me Something Nice), Puerto Rican songstresses iLe and Ivy Queen not only demand respect but also belt unapologetic verses against machismo. “I have never believed that quiet I look prettier/ When I spit it’s like fire and acid,” sings Ivy.
Watch the music video here
India & Goyo, “Nubes Negras”
With potent vocals and fierce lyricism, this salsa-infused urban track is an anthem for women who were once victims of domestic abuse but have found their liberty and self-worth — hence “no more dark clouds since you left” in the chorus.
Watch the music video here
Kany García & Mon Laferte, “Se Portaba Mal”
One of Kany García’s biggest gems from her 2020 duets album Mesa Para Dos is “Se Portaba Mal (She Misbehaved),” sung in collaboration with Chilean singer-songwriter Mon Laferte — an eye-opening and compassionate look at domestic violence victims.
Listen to the track here
Karol G & Shakira, “TQG”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
In their first collaborative effort, Colombian superstars Karol G & Shakira dropped “TQG” (Te Quedo Grande) in February, a sultry reggaetón jam bout a woman who only got stronger, leveled up and had a major glow-up after a breakup.
Lola Indigo, Danna Paola, & Denise Rosenthal, “Santería”
Three years ago, Spain’s Lola Indigo recruited Mexico’s Danna Paola and Chile’s Denise Rosenthal to showcase their powerhouse vocals and fierce attitude in “Santería,” an empowering bop for strong, independent women who take control.
Watch the music video here
Natti Natasha, Farina, Cazzu & La Duraca, “Las Nenas”
“I feel that it’s necessary to end the stigma that girls don’t collaborate because they are competitive and they are rivals,” Natti previously told Billboard of her ultra-girl-power collab with Farina, Cazzu, and newcomer La Duraca. “We made this happen and we need to keep the women’s movement at the top.”
Watch the music video here
Ptazeta & Villano Antillano, “Mujerón”
Image Credit: Interscope Records
An electro-trap-perreo track made by women for women, “Mujerón” — which loosely translates to “too much woman” — is an ode to those badass girls who are independent, confident and date on their own terms.
Sofia Reyes & Maria Becerra, “Marte”
Reyes and Becerra joined forces on the galactic reggaetón banger “Marte,” off of Reyes’ sophomore album Mal de Amores, which is a friendly reminder that women should never tolerate toxicity.
Watch the music video here
Thalia & Kenia OS, “Para No Verte Más”
As someone who’s always supported the new wave of Latina artists, Thalía teamed up with Mexican newcomer Kenia OS earlier this month for “Para No Verte Más,” a sugary pop version of La Mosca’s 1999 rock hit. The song is about ripping up every photo and memory of an ex, in order to never see them again.
Watch the music video here
TINI & La Joaqui, “Muñecas”
A catchy cumbia villera meshed with EDM, the Steve Aoki-assisted track finds Argentine artists TINI and La Joaqui singing about the single life. “This song represents the importance that all my friends are to me, and it’s a way of motivating myself to love again,” TINI previously said to Billboard.
Watch the music video here
Tokischa & Rosalía, “Linda”
Image Credit: Elissa Salas*
This infectious dembow released in 2021 finds Tokischa and Rosalia singing about two friends who like to party together — and here and there, pop a kiss, because “you’re pretty, I’m wild, we kiss but we’re homies.”
Yuridia & Angela Aguilar, “Qué Agonía”
Image Credit: Andres Solis
For the first time, Mexican sweethearts Yuridia and Angela Aguilar joined forces on “Qué Agonía,” a heartfelt ranchera where both admit their own faults in a failed relationship — but recognize that they still love their ex and are asking for forgiveness.
You can take yourself dancing and even cycling to Miley Cyrus‘ music, thanks to Apple Fitness+ newly added workouts. In honor of Women’s History Month, Cyrus, Mariah Carey and Shania Twain will be highlighted as part of the program’s Artist Spotlight series, which dedicates an entire set of workouts to a single artist and their discography.
Starting Monday (March 6), Fitness+ users can pedal to the beat of the “Flowers” singer’s music in a cycling workout, return to heart center when it’s a wrap on the Carey-inspired yoga workout and feel like a powerful woman post-strength workout featuring Twain’s tunes.
Fitness+ Artist Spotlight
Courtesy of Apple
New workouts will roll out every Monday throughout the month of March. Ahead of the release of her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, due March 10 via Columbia Records, Cyrus will have her fans sweating and singing along to her biggest hits while getting that summer body through dance, HIIT, strength and cycling workouts.
Meanwhile, the Lambily will need to stretch as far and wide as Mimi’s vocal range — which spans across five octaves and goes all the way up to those whistle tones we all try reaching when belting out her 1991 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash “Emotions” — ahead of her cycling, dance, HIIT and yoga workouts.
And the Queen of Country Pop’s cycling, yoga, strength and treadmill workouts will prove her fans ain’t no quitters and will leave them impressed with their results. “You’ve got to make working out fun, do what you love, so it feels like burning energy instead of a job! I hear lots of people like listening to my music in the gym and it makes me so happy – it means it’s energetic and inspirational,” Twain said in a press statement. “That’s why I’m so excited for this Artist Spotlight series on Fitness+. So Giddy Up! And do what makes you happy!”
Other musicians who’ve had sets of Apple Fitness+ workouts dedicated to them include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, BTS, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, ABBA, Prince, Shakira, The Beatles, Nicki Minaj and many more.
According to the Apple Fitness+ website, anyone who purchases a new iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Apple TV (and hasn’t previously subscribed to Apple Fitness+) will have free access to Apple Fitness+ for three months before paying $9.99 monthly, or $79.99 annually. New subscribers who already have the aforementioned Apple products can get free access to Apple Fitness+ for one month. Apple Fitness+ can be shared with up to five family members.
Women’s History Month has arrived, and in celebration, Billboard has compiled a list of all the women who earned a No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart since 2015. The chart ranks the most popular Latin songs of the week, blending airplay, streaming, and digital sales data.
But first, let’s trace back to 2012 when icons Gloria Estefan and Paulina Rubio reached No. 1 on the coveted chart. The former debuted and peaked at No. 1 with “Hotel Nacional,” and the latter with “Me Gustas Tanto.” For over three years, women’s representation was scarce at the top of the Latin charts until Maná’s “Mi Verdad,” where they were accompanied by Shakira. The following year, Shak’s “Chantaje” (in collaboration with Maluma) debuted and peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated Nov. 19, 2016, where it ruled for 11 weeks.
Like Estefan, Rubio, and Shak, other Latinas have made Billboard history.
Karol G and Nicki Minaj’s “Tusa” became the first song to debut at No. 1 in 2019, and the first title by two women in a lead role to open atop the chart since its inception in 1986. With “Telepatia,” Kali Uchis became the first female soloist without an accompanying act to reach No. 1 since 2012. Becky G and Karol G’s “Mamiii” hit No. 1 last year, and when it was followed on top by her solo smash “Provenza,” Karol became the first woman to replace herself at No. 1 on the chart.
Starting off 2023 strong, Shakira hit No. 1 with her Bizarrap-assisted “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” tying Bad Bunny for the fourth-most No. 1s overall on the listing, both with 12.
Below, revisit all the tracks by or featuring a Latina artist to have reached No. 1 since 2015:
Maná feat. Shakira, “Mi Verdad” (2015)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
On February 28, 2015, after three years of having no female representation at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs, Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira arrived as a featured artist on Maná’s heartwarming ballad “Mi Verdad.”
Shakira feat. Maluma, “Chantaje” (2016)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
The following year, Shakira remained on the throne with her sultry reggaetón smash “Chantaje,” where she was joined by then-newcomer Maluma. The track hit No. 1 on Nov. 19, 2016, and ruled for 11 weeks.
El Chombo, Karol G, Pitbull feat. Cutty Ranks, “Dame Tu Cosita (Remix)” (2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
In May 2018, an up-and-coming Karol G arrived at No. 1 thanks to Pitbull and El Chombo’s “Dame Tu Cosita (Remix)” featuring Cutty Ranks, the Jamaican dancehall singer from the original 1998 recording.
DJ Snake feat. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B, “Taki Taki” (2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
The EDM/urban banger “Taki Taki” brought both Selena Gomez (of Mexican descent) and Dominican rapper Cardi B to No. 1, where the DJ Snake-led and Ozuna-assisted track spent 12 weeks.
Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna & J Balvin, “China” (2019)
Image Credit: Miguel Ducos
Karol G hit No. 1 in 2019 with “China,” a Spanish-language adaptation of Shaggy’s 2001 Hot 100-topper “It Wasn’t Me,” where she was joined by Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, and J Balvin. The club banger ruled for 12 weeks.
Karol G & Nicki Minaj, “Tusa” (2019)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
That same year, Karol earned another No. 1 as a lead artist with the ultra-breakup reggaetón track “Tusa” alongside Nicki Minaj. The song debuted and peaked at No. 1 on Nov. 23 and ruled for four weeks.
Kali Uchis, “Telepatía” (2021)
Image Credit: Courtesy of UMG
With her dreamy pop track, Uchis scored her first No. 1 on the May 22, 2021-dated Hot Latin Songs chart, becoming the first female soloist without an accompanied act to reach No. 1 since 2012.
Becky G & Karol G, “MAMIII” (2022)
Image Credit: Emilio Sanchez
Becky G’s first No. 1 hit arrived with the fierce and unapologetic “MAMIII,” alongside Karol G. The reggaetón hit debuted and peaked at No. 1 in Feb. 2022, where it ruled for 10 non-consecutive weeks.
Yahritza y Su Esencia, “Soy El Único” (2022)
Image Credit: Rita Feregrino
Not only did this heartfelt sierreño song earn then-15-year-old Yahritza Martinez her first No. 1 hit in April 2022, but she also became the youngest Latin performer to enter the all-genre Hot 100 tally.
Karol G, “Provenza” (2022)
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
Singing over a lilting, calypso-esque beat, the Colombian artist yearned for an encounter with a past love on the Latin Grammy-nominated “Provenza,” which hit No. 1 on the chart dated May 14, 2022.
Bizarrap & Shakira, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” (2023)
Image Credit: Pedro Colmeiro
Early this year, Shakira reclaimed her No. 1 crown with the Bizarrap-helmed, EDM-infused “music sessions, Vol. 53,” where she threw witty punchlines at her ex Gerard Piqué and his new girlfriend.