Where Are They Now? Lady Rappers You Loved And Forgot About
How many times have you heard a song — sang along — then wondered afterwards, "What the hell happened to them? This is all too common in the fast-paced world of music. Hip-hop has produced its fair share of ladies with tracks that still hold real estate in our subconscious mind. Whether it's the playfulness of Kid Sister, or the around-the-way girl appeal Vita added to a Murder Inc track.
Today we reveal female rappers that may have slipped your mind and bring you up to speed on what they've been up to since the good ole days.
Vita
"Vita, Vita, Vita" (2000)
As Murder Inc's original first lady, Vita appeared on hit records like "Put It On Me" and "Down 4 U" Vita is also remembered for her role as DMX's underage side chick in the 1998 cult classic, Belly.
Where Is She Now?
Murder Inc's roster went their separate ways after the label fell on hard times. A federal case for money laundering, combined with an ongoing feud with 50 Cent, made it difficult for the label to operate. Vita releases new music from time to time, and is currently hard at work on a book and lingerie line.
Ms. Jade
"Big Head" (2002)
Hailing from Philly, Ms. Jade was the first lady of Timbaland's Beat Club imprint. The majority of her debut album, Girl Interrupted, was produced by Timbo and featured such names as Jay Z, Nelly Furtado and Missy Elliott.
Where Is She Now?
Ms. Jade can still be heard beating down mics and releasing new music. In 2012, she dropped her Straight No Chaser mixtape, and her latest tracks can be found on her SoundCloud page.
Kid Sister
"Pro Nails" - Kid Sister ft. Kanye West (2008)
Kid Sister splashed on the scene with the underground dance fav, "Pro Nails." The song took on another life when Kanye jumped on the remix thanks to Ye's former DJ, and Fools Gold co-founder, A-Trak.
Where Is She Now?
Last summer saw the return of Kid Sister with the release of her mixtape DUSK2DAWN: The Diary Of Jane Jupiter. The project is comprised of 12 new songs, including a track produced by Chad Hugo of The Neptunes.
La Chat
"Project Pat" - Chicken Head ft. Three 6 Mafia & La Chat (2001)
This Memphis rapper was a mainstay on many Three 6 Mafia tracks as a member of the Hypnotize Minds camp. She soon left the crew after the release of her debut, Murder She Spoke, in 2001.
Where Is She Now?
Le Chat went on to release various mixtapes and albums after her departure from Hypnotize Minds. In 2014 she teamed up with ex-Three 6 Mafia member Gangsta Boo for the EP Witch. Her new album, Murder She Spoke II, is slated for release in April.
Babs
"Bad Boy This, Bad Boy That" - Da Band ft. P.Diddy (2003)
As a member of Da Band, Babs let her voice be heard not just on wax, but also every week on the hit reality show Making The Band. The group enjoyed success with the gold album Too Hot For TV, before disbanding after season three of the show.
Where Is She Now?
Aside from making music, Babs is currently focused on being the face of female rap battle league Queen of the Ring.
Sole
"Who Dat" - J.T. Money ft. Solé (1999)
After being featured on the 1999 hit "Who Dat," Sole flipped her appearance into the debut album, Skin Deep. Her '99 single "4, 5, 6" landed at the top of Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.
Where Is She Now?
Sole has long since left her rap life behind. In 2014, she officially divorced from R&B hubby Ginuwine after more than a decade of marriage. Instead of kicking rhymes, Sole is now kicking ass as a Kung Fu specialist, and also a Yoga teacher in the D.C. area.
Amil
"Can I Get A..." - Jay-Z Feat. Amil & Ja Rule (1998)
As Roc-A-Fella's first lady, Amil was front and center during the Roc's rise to prominence. Her appearances on more than a few popular Jay Z records (including "Jigga What, Jigga Who," "Hey Papi," and "Can I Get A..." ) helped pave the way for her debut album All Money Is Legal in 2000.
Where Is She Now?
After her unceremonious departure from Roc-A-Fella, Amil went under the radar, surfacing periodically with new music. Last year she released "Remember" as an appetizer for the upcoming mixtape, A Moment In Life.
Charli Baltimore
"Down A** Chick" - Ja Rule ft. Charlie Baltimore (2002)
Before she was known for rhymes, Charli Baltimore was known as the Faith Evans lookalike in Junior Mafia's "Get Money" video. Unfortunately, her deal with Untertainment/Epic Records didn't quite pan out. Her debut album Cold As Ice , never released in 1999 —but oddly it became available for purchase in 2009. Charlie would get a second wind years later, signing with Murder Inc during the label's prime years.
Where Is She Now?
After a break from the industry, Baltimore dropped her Hard 2 Kill mixtape in 2013. She's is currently signed to BMB Entertainment, where she also serves as president of the company. Charli's oldest daughter India, rips the runway as a professional model signed to Ford Models.
The Boss
"Deeper" (1993)
Gangster rap was in full swing in 1993, and Def Jam was all in—releasing The Boss' Born Gangstaz album in the spring of that year. The Boss instantly caught the ears and eyes of the rap world thanks to her hardcore rhymes and imagery, which until then wasn't usually associated with female rappers.
Where Is She Now?
After leaving the music industry behind, The Boss relocated to Dallas, where she became a radio host on local station K104. In 2011, while undergoing dialysis for renal disease, Boss launched the Rappers Need Kidneys Too campaign.
Queen Pen
"Party Ain't A Party" (1997)
Under the tutelage of legendary producer Teddy Riley, Queen Pen caught some success in the '90s thanks to her appearance on the the platinum single, "No Diggity." She would go on to drop her solo album, My Melody, in 1997 as the flagship act on Riley's Lil' Man Records.
Where Is She Now?
Queen Pen still picks up the pen to write, but this time it's books instead of rhymes. She has written two novels: Situations: A Book of Short Stories and Blossom: A Novel.