Music has always been a space for free protest and a platform to challenge social injustice, a place to let go, to vent the frustration brought on by the system. Jazz, soul, and rap are all musical genres born from an oppressed people: the Black community.

Rap, in particular, became a tool for resistance, with lyrics that reflected the repression faced in the marginalized neighborhoods of the U.S., often at the hands of those in power. That reality, harsh and violent, frequently led to conflict among peers. Life in these communities was far from easy, inequality was a constant, and with it came poverty, drugs, and social exclusion.

Though this music and culture were born out of anger and critique, they also ended up reproducing another form of marginalization and violence, this time, against women. Just as soul and rock once saw white artists overshadow Black musicians, hip hop has in many ways done the same with women. While we can name many iconic artists within these genres, the vast majority are men.

This book traces the history of hip hop, but this time with a narrative that gives women in the culture the space and recognition they deserve. The goal is not to erase men from the story, but to add new, often overlooked perspectives, because over time, history gets distorted, and rarely in women’s favor.

The project places music at the center of the narrative, and includes a special edition vinyl featuring tracks by hip hop and R&B women artists. It also comes with a booklet containing the lyrics, each one selected with intention and purpose.