Over the past four decades, numerous rap songs have achieved the remarkable feat of reaching No. 1 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. The journey began in 1997 when “I’ll Be Missing You” became the first rap song featuring a female artist to claim the top spot. It wasn’t until 1998 that the first female rapper, Lauryn Hill, achieved a Hot 100 No. 1 with her hit, “Doo Wop (That Thing).” For almost two decades, Lauryn Hill stood as the sole woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with a solo rap song, until 2017 when Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” ascended to the pinnacle. Notably, Cardi B holds the record for the most No. 1 singles by a female rapper on the Billboard Hot 100, with a total of four.
In the following list, we’ll explore every female artist who has claimed the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100, whether as a lead artist or a featured artist.
“I’ll Be Missing You” (1997) | Weeks at No. 1: 11
Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans & 112
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1998) | Weeks at No. 1: 2
Lauryn Hill
“Always On Time” (2002) | Weeks at No. 1: 2
Ja Rule feat. Ashanti
“Dilemma” (2002) | Weeks at No. 1: 10
Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland
“Stand Up” (2003) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Ludacris feat. Shawnna
“Candy Shop” (2005) | Weeks at No. 1: 9
50 Cent feat. Olivia
“London Bridge” (2006) | Weeks at No. 1: 3
Fergie
“Give It To Me” (2007) | Weeks at No. 1: 2
Timbaland feat. Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado
“Live Your Life” (2008) | Weeks at No. 1: 6
T.I. feat. Rihanna
“Right Round” (2009) | Weeks at No. 1: 6
Flo Rida feat. Ke$ha
“Empire State of Mind” (2009) | Weeks at No. 1: 5
Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
“Love The Way You Lie” (2010) | Weeks at No. 1: 7
Eminem feat. Rihanna
“The Monster” (2013) | Weeks at No. 1: 4
Eminem feat. Rihanna
“Timber” (2014) | Weeks at No. 1: 2
Pitbull feat. Ke$ha
“Fancy” (2014) | Weeks at No. 1: 7
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
“Bodak Yellow” (2017) | Weeks at No. 1: 3
Cardi B
“I Like It” (2018) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Cardi B feat. Bad Bunny & J Balvin
“Truth Hurts” (2019) | Weeks at No. 1: 7
Lizzo
“Say So” (2020) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Doja Cat feat. Nicki Minaj
“Savage” (2020) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
“Trollz” (2020) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
6ix9ine & Nicki Minaj
“WAP” (2020) | Weeks at No. 1: 4
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
“Franchise” (2020) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Travis Scott feat. Young Thug & M.I.A.
“Up” (2021) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Cardi B
“Wait For U” (2022) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Future feat. Drake & Tems
“Super Freaky Girl” (2022) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Nicki Minaj
“Paint The Town Red” (2023) | Weeks at No. 1: 1
Doja Cat
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