Lil Kim, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill and Foxy Brown appear in Vibe magazine.

Throughout the decades, we have seen dozens of women rise to the top of the Hip-Hop industry before abruptly fading into irrelevance. Now, as we prepare for a new generation to attempt chart domination, let’s take a look back at the icons who paved the way.

Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, MC Lyte and Missy Elliott are among the most important artists of the last three decades, not just for Hip-Hop but also in popular culture. Check out some of their biggest hits and the works of other Rap giants below:

Da Brat – “Funkdafied”

Eve – “Love is Blind”

Foxy Brown – “I’ll Be (Ft. Jay-Z)”

Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)”

Lil Kim – “How Many Licks? (Ft. Sisqo)”

MC Lyte – “Poor Georgie”

Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On”

Queen Latifah – “U.N.I.T.Y.”

Salt-n-Pepa – “Push It”

This is normally the time where a slick anti-Nicki Minaj comment is made but there really isn’t anything that can be said. She has made it very clear that she doesn’t like being categorised as a rapper; she wants to be remembered as a Pop star. So, let’s just leave Minaj to her own path. Besides, it’s not as though her music often tells a story, challenges gender stereotypes or makes political statements. She is indeed Pop.

Watch Minaj’s “Stupid Hoe” video below:

Who is the most influential artist of those listed above? Who else should have been mentioned? Vote in the Way Back Wednesday poll and share your opinion!