Welcome to Breaking Down Patriarchy. I'm Amy McPhee, All the Best. Since its invention in the 1990s, hip hop has taken the music world by storm. In fact, according to an end of the year, Nielsen report, it was in 2017 that hip hop officially overtook rock music to become the most popular genre in America. And it's remained firmly in that top

spot ever since with hip hop accounting for over a quarter of all music streaming each year

for the past seven years. So whether you're a diehard fan or have only heard a track or two on

the radio, there is no denying that hip hop has massive sway over our culture. And like so many of our cultural institutions,

it's had its history of sexism, plus remarkable women who have fought against that sexism.

In a 2024 Forbes article listing the 50 top rappers of all time, only eight women were

included. That's only 16%. And that is not because there aren't

women in hip hop. There is no shortage of history-making female artists that they could have

included. It seems that just like in other institutions, women's history and accomplishments have

been largely overlooked. Which is why I am so happy to be discussing the book, God Save the Queens, the Essential History of Women in Hip Hop by Kathy Yondoli. Yondali's book isn't a dictionary of artists or a quick reference guide. It is a well-researched and thorough history. And more than anything, this book is a celebration of women in hip-hop, their talents and hardships and incredible achievements. And more than anything, this book is a celebration of women in hip hop, their talents and

hardships and incredible achievements. I'm so excited to be discussing this book today with the author

of God Save the Queens, Kathy Eondoli. Welcome, Kathy. Thank you. So excited for this conversation.

Kathy Eondoli is a critically acclaimed journalist, author, podcaster,

media coach, and documentarian. She has over 25 years experience working in the music industry,

from media to publicity, to radio and artist management. Her first book, God Save the Queens,

The Essential History of Women in Hip Hop, was named an NPR Best Book of the Year.

Huge congratulations on that.

That's awesome.

She's also the author of the biography Baby Girl, better known as Aaliyah, as well as the co-author of rapper Eve's memoir, Who's That Girl, and Lil Kim's upcoming memoir, The Queen Bee.

Kathy has written about music and gender for two decades with

bylines in vibe, The Source, XXL, Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Pitchfork, and many others.

Kathy is a professor of music business at NYU, as well as an alum of the Steinhardt's music business

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