BBC explores untold stories of ‘First Ladies Of Hip Hop’

First Ladies Of Hip Hop

UK public broadcaster the BBC has commissioned a three-part docuseries exploring the overlooked role of women in hip hop music.

Launching on BBC Two on 7 October, First Ladies Of Hip Hop has been produced by Emporium Productions for BBC Music and BBC Two. Executive Producers were Dollan Cannell, Ashley Kennedy, Emma Read and series producer was Karen Gabey.

Narrated by singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry, the series will reveal the untold stories of women who played a pivotal role in the birth, evolution, and success of hip hop, with a unique look at the widely unknown contributions of British women.

The series challenges the male-dominated narrative with first-hand accounts from the artists, producers, DJs, and industry insiders who broke through barriers, shattered stereotypes, found their voice and paved the way for future generations.

Featuring the stories of Eve, Rah Digga, Sha Rock, Debbie D, Deidra Roper (aka DJ Spinderella of Salt-n-Pepa) Yo-Yo (who is well known for her work with N.W.A’s Ice Cube), Millie Jackson, Cheryl the Pearl (The Sequence), JJ Fad, Sheri Sher (The Mercedes Ladies) and others – the series explores the experiences, challenges, and the pivotal moments that shaped these women’s careers and the impact they had on the movement around them.

First Ladies Of Hip Hop also includes the first-hand account of pioneering hip hop artist Roxanne Shanté, who tells viewers about how she was, unfairly in her view, denied the accolade of the greatest rapper on earth because she was a woman.