As hype, pleasure and anticipation builds for Cardi B’s lengthy awaited sophomore album Am I The Drama?, dropping September 19, all eyes are on the Bronx born emcee. Cardi B shook the world with Invasion of Privateness, and now we’re all ready to see whether or not she will be able to meet the second, and the undoubted stress that comes with following up a historical past making debut.

However Cardi’s not the First girl rapper to face this sort of highlight and even scrutiny. In truth, among the most defining albums in hip hop historical past have come from girls behind the mic, who needed to show they’d endurance their second time round.

Right here’s a glance again at 5 of the highest sophomore albums by among the most influential girls in rap and the bars, pun supposed, they’ve set for Cardi B to clear. Let’s go!

Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)

On the subject of girl emcees, Nicki is arguably probably the most profitable. Coming off the pop rap explosion of her debut Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj doubled down on versatility together with her 2012 follow-up Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Splitting the album into two moods hard-hitting rap anthems and shiny, radio prepared pop, Nicki made it clear she wasn’t going to be boxed in. “Beez within the Lure” that includes 2 Chainz and the large single “Starships” confirmed each side of her artistry, whereas the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was a daring swing that cemented Nicki as greater than only a breakout act, she was a full-fledged popular culture power. That half.

Missy Elliott – Da Actual World (1999)

Let’s be actual, Missy is low key the blueprint for all these girl emcees artistic decisions. Following her groundbreaking debut Supa Dupa Fly, Missy Elliott returned with a darker, extra aggressive vitality on her second album Da Actual World. Launched in 1999, the venture leaned heavier into hip hop grit whereas nonetheless conserving her futuristic manufacturing intact because of her longtime collaborator Timbaland. With tracks like “Scorching Boyz” that includes Lil’ Mo, Eve and Nas, and “All n My Grill” that includes Massive Boi, Missy expanded her sound and lyrical vary. The album allowed us to witness how Missy may rise from distinctive to influential with out shedding any artistic edge.

Doja Cat – Scorching Pink (2019)

Simply totally different or remixed rather well, that how many individuals the tremendous profitable artist in Doja Cat. Earlier than she was dominating the charts and phases worldwide, Doja Cat took a serious leap together with her second studio album Scorching Pink. Launched in 2019, the venture fused R&B, pop, and rap right into a vibrant physique of labor that launched her as probably the most genre-fluid artists of her technology. Hits like “Juicy” and the viral phenomenon “Say So” proved she had the charisma and pen sport to turn into a family identify. Scorching Pink wasn’t only a glow up, it was a blueprint for the best way to go from web fame to chart topping energy participant.

Megan Thee Stallion – Traumazine (2022)

One factor is for certain about Megan Thee Stallion, she is the second. The Houston rapper’s sophomore effort Traumazine was greater than an album, it was a press release. Launched in 2022 throughout probably the most publicized and private chapters of her life, Megan opened up about grief, betrayal, and survival. With standout tracks like “Her,” “NDA,” and “Pressurelicious” that includes Future, she pushed previous the occasion anthems and showcased uncooked emotion and deeper storytelling. Whereas her debut Good Information launched the Scorching Woman persona to the world, Traumazine peeled again the layers to disclose the girl behind her highly effective tour de power.

Queen Latifah – Nature of a Sista (1991)

A rap pioneer in each sense, and never only for feminine rappers however artists interval, Queen Latifah is an icon. The rapper turned actress, adopted her debut All Hail the Queen with 1991’s Nature of a Sista, an album that introduced extra polish and perspective to her already commanding presence. Launched below Tommy Boy Data, the album provided a mixture of social commentary, empowerment, and streetwise attraction. Tracks like “Fly Woman” and “How Do I Love Thee” mirrored Latifah’s rising versatility and her potential to shift between laborious rhymes and smoother, R&B-inflected melodies. Although it didn’t attain the business heights of her debut, Nature of a Sista stays an necessary second in her evolution as each a rapper and a cultural icon and can by no means be neglected! And did we point out she is a brilliant star in entrance of the digicam, ha!