God Save the Queens

Journalist Kathy Iandoli’sGod Save the Queens is the “rigorous, insightful, and authoritative . . . [and] deadly personal”* history of women in hip-hop.

An *NPR Best Book of the Year

Every history of hip-hop focuses primarily on men, glaringly omitting a thorough and respectful examination of the presence and contribution of the genre’s female artists. For far too long, women in hip-hop have been relegated to the shadows, viewed as the designated “First Lady” thrown a contract, a pawn in some beef, or even worse. But as Kathy Iandoli makes clear, the reality is very different. Today, hip-hop is dominated by successful women such as Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, yet there are scores of female artists whose influence continues to resonate.

God Save the Queens pays tribute to the women of hip-hop—from the early work of Roxanne Shante, to hitmakers like Queen Latifah and Missy Elliot, to the superstars of today. Exploring issues of gender, money, sexuality, violence, body image, feuds, objectification and more, this is an important and monumental work of music journalism that at last gives these influential female artists the respect they have long deserved.

“Music lovers will celebrate this much-needed exploration of the overlooked experiences of women in hip-hop.” —Publishers Weekly

“Intended to be a narrative homage to women in hip-hop, this latest work by Iandoli is that and more. . . . [She] gives female artists the recognition they deserve, while showing that there is still work to do.” —Library Journal