Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop

Sha-Rock, Roxanne Shanté and MC Lyte claim space for women in the early days of hip-hop, delivering rhymes with unique perspectives and bold messages.

In a male-dominated industry, women face criticism, colorism and other obstacles as they set out to define their own narratives, both on wax and off.

Artists, producers and writers recount stories of abuse and erasure while working in hip-hop amid contract disputes, acts of violence and more.

As women reflect on their journeys across decades of hip-hop, they spotlight the sisterhood in rap — and celebrate being stronger together than apart.