Yes! Many female rappers came before Nicki and broke down barriers making it possible for rappers like Nicki to put a choke-hold on the game like she's doing right now. The age-old debate, that really should have never existed, is whether or not Nicki Minaj is a better rapper than Lil Kim is or was. The answer is simply in the lyricism.

Nicki Minaj's music is falling into the realms of commercialism and at times it's very difficult to tell if she is a true representation of REAL Hip Hop other than her status on the charts. Alot of residents in the Hip Hop nation have contributed her success to the use of studio technology and gimmicks.

But let's talk about what contributed to Lil Kim's success when she was hot and on fire. Quite frankly, it was the use of her bragging about her coochie and sucking dick. I love Lil Kim and appreciate her place in Hip Hop. But at times, her lyrics were raunchy an out right nasty. And the excuse is, she had to do and say whatever would sell records at the time.

That's cool, but Nicki Minaj is using a different strategy…one that makes her a better MC AND business woman…She's presenting her femininity as a source of power, not a source of submission. And she's versatile. Lil Kim is stuck in the same box she's always been in. Nicki is ruling the world. No one can deny that, no matter how you feel about her music.