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"How The Youngest Female Rapper of All Time Invented The Diss Record..."
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How The Youngest Female Rapper of All Time Invented The Diss Record...
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May 6, 2009
- by djevoke
- posted in Hip-Hop Culture: Breakdance, MC, DJ, Graffiti
Rating:
Many people give Roxanne Shante the honor of being the first female rapper which is not true, that honor actually belongs to Sha Rock. In 1976, in the beginning of hip-hop, Sha Rock would go to DJ Kool Herc's parties and get on the mic, solidifying her stance as the first female rapper or MC. However, Roxanne Shante, at the tender age of 14, still holds the record as the youngest female rapper. She's also the inventor of the "diss" record that started a war, later dubbed The Roxanne Wars.
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At the age of 14, she began her hip-hop career when she walked out of her Queens housing project and overheard three men talking about how they had to cancel the UTFO show. UTFO (Untouchable Force Organization) had had a popular jam, "Roxanne, Roxanne" about a girl that wouldn't give them the time of day.
Shante freestyled as the main character of that hit song for the three men who turned out to be radio DJ Mister Magic, hip-hop pioneer Marley Marl, and Tyrone Williams. Her freestyle became her first hit "Roxanne's Revenge" which sold over 250,000 copies in New York alone and sparked what would later become known as The Roxanne Wars with 100 answer records at last count.
One of the more prominent answer records (this is how hip-hop used to be back in the day and the invention of what we now call "beef"- one group or MC would "diss" or disrespect another MC from a rival rap group and then, the MC that was "dissed" would answer back by trying to outdiss the first MC- confused?) was 1986's "The Real Roxanne" performed by UTFO and Adelaida Martinez, who would later use the song's title as her stage name.
UTFO also answered Shante in the courthouse by suing her for using their B Side ("Roxanne's Backside) as the rhythm track, forcing Marley Marl to redo the production on "Roxanne's Revenge".
The war continued with some of the following answer records as examples, taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxanne_Wars:
- "Sparky's Turn (Roxanne, You're Through)" by Sparky D, a feisty woman who criticizes Roxanne (Shanté, in particular) for being disrespectful toward UTFO, and being too young, both for them to pursue, and to be an MC. Even though the record defended UTFO, they were reported to not be appreciative of this additional unauthorized response. It was after this that the saga really took off.
- "Roxanne's Doctor - The Real Man" by Dr. Freshh, who also insulted Roxanne as having no class.
- "Do the Roxanne" by Dr. Rocx & Co., which created a dance based on Roxanne. (Referred to Shanté's cracky wacky voice, as Sparky D had described it in her record). A rare instance of a record in the series not aimed at dissing someone.
- "The Parents of Roxanne" by Gigolo Tony & Lacey Lace, which answered both UTFO and Sparky D. It drew references from both "Roxanne's Revenge" and "The Real Roxanne" as if both represented the true Roxanne.
- "Yo, My Little Sister (Roxanne's Brothers)" by Crush Groove (no relation to Krush Groove), which answered UTFO, Sparky D, and Dr. Freshh.
- "Rappin' Roxy: Roxanne's Sister" by D.W. and the Party Crew featuring Roxy .
- Another record answered Roxanne Shanté by a young woman calling herself "Little Ice," who told her to "make up her mind" if she wanted a man or not.
- "Roxanne's a Man (The Untold Story — Final Chapter)" by Ralph Rolle, which claimed that Roxanne was actually a man who had been sodomized in prison, and then having "lost his manhood" turned himself into a woman after his release; and insulted UTFO for not realizing this.
She also released "Big Mama" in 1992, shortly before she quit the rap game, which dissed fellow female flowologists Queen Latifah, Monie Love, MC Lyte and YoYo. These "diss" records along wih her amazing freestyle helped to cement her as one of hip-hop's early female pioneers, even if it meant taking 100 hits to her rep, her sexuality and her family's name.
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Madpenguin
June 14, 2011
She was definitely a good battle MC, but I never really liked her. Her voice was just too annoying for me. Like a majority of female rappers.
djevoke
June 14, 2011
Hmmm....that's interesting. What do you find annoying about femcees? Do you have any that you like? But, yeah Shante could battle men twice her age and send them home with their tails between their legs.
Madpenguin
June 14, 2011
My issue is that some of them have some overly annoying voices; Shante, Trina, Boss, Jacki-O, and Lil kim. And to make matters worst, some of them have almost nothing to say. I always wondered what was the fascination with Lil' Kim and Trina, I think their music is trash and they're both ugly. In regards to Shante, her squeaky voice is just so damn annoying. I've never been able to listen to one of her albums more than once. Jean Grae, Bahamadia, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Lauren Hill are the only ones I can actually listen to.
djevoke
June 15, 2011
I agree with you on Lil Kim and Trina and would add Foxy Brown to the list as far as rappers I can't really stand. I like your list of femcees you like as well- you have good taste. I'm working on a list of femcees from early hip-hop so I'll have to let you know when it's done!
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Count_Orlok_22
January 13, 2011
Awesome review. I even learned some new things about old school rap which doesn't happen all that often. However, I hate to point out that it looks as though the compliment buttons weren't working. Your helpful, thought-provoking, fun to read, and well-organized ratings ratio doesn't seen accurate... Hmmm. A glitch maybe?
Scotman
January 13, 2011
I voted for you! LOL. I do find if I click on the third one, wait a few seconds before going to the next, they usually do work, but you're right, they sometimes fail and then you have to come back later.
djevoke
January 14, 2011
I don't even see the ratings, guess I'll have to put in a bug for that! Thanks for letting me know :) In any case, I'm glad that I could teach you something new.
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JTtheJEDI
January 07, 2010
Great history and review.
djevoke
January 09, 2010
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
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djbenny
November 24, 2009
Great article, nothing like a good re-teaching of a history lesson
djevoke
January 09, 2010
Thanks- it's always important to respect those that came before you and to honor females in hip-hop.
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JRider
November 23, 2009
I've always been partial to the performance she delivered on Frankie Cutlass' album Politics and BullSh*t. If you never heard it, I highly recommend it. The name of the track eludes me now but it'll come to me if I think about it long and hard enough. Thin is the line between brain storms and brain farts as you get older!
djevoke
January 09, 2010
That joint is The Cypher and yes, it's DOPE! I love your last line...so true ;p
JRider
January 09, 2010
It IS the Cypher!! Thank you! I have the CD but didn't feel like digging it up. For some reason I found it easier to simply let it bother me for two months. Thanks again Sam!
djevoke
January 10, 2010
Anytime, you have some music trivia- don't let it bother you for two months- ask a DJ ;p
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raina1up
May 07, 2009
these roxanne shante vids are incredibly fun. i'm head bobbin in my aeron chair right now. thanks for representing ladies in hip hop!
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djevoke
May 06, 2009
Sorry for all the countless edits LOL...I've been trying to post to Facebook Connect which wasn't cooperating and then, realized I actually needed a real edit. Hope you enjoy!
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About the reviewer
Samantha (djevoke)
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I'm a human jukebox that is constantly changing my station depending on my mood! Feel free to share your passion with me in my communities: Pass the Remote!, Hip Hop Culture, Wedding Planning … more
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About this topic
Roxanne Shante' born Lolita Shante Gooden November 9, 1969 in Jamaica Queens, New York. The only female member of Marley Marl's legendary Juice Crew.
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Albums
- Bad Sister (1989)
- The Bitch Is Back (1992)
Singles
- "Roxanne's Revenge" (1984)
- "Queen of Rox (Shanté Rox On)" (1985)
- "Runaway" (1985)
- "Bite This" (1985)
- "I'm Fly Shanté" (featuring Steady B) (1986)
- "Pay Back" (1987)
- "Have a Nice Day" (1987) (UK #58)
- "Go On, Girl" (1988) (UK #55)
- "Loosey's Rap" (with Rick James) (1988)
- "Sharp as a Knife" (with Brandon Cooke) (1988) (UK #45)
- "Live on Stage" (1989)
- "Independent Woman" (1990)
- "Go on, Girl" (1990) (re-issue) (UK #74)
- "Big Mama" (1992)
- "Straight Razor" (1992)
- "What's Going On" (with Mekon) (2000) (UK #43)
- "Yes Yes, Y'all" (with Mekon) (2006)
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