While rap may have started out as a mostly male-dominated genre, the ladies who have been successful in the rap game over the years are just as good at spitting hard and fast rhymes as their guy counterparts. But out of newer rhymestresses like Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. and legendary names like Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill, who gets your vote for the best female rapper?

Nicki Minaj is arguably the biggest and hottest female rap artist out there right now, but 'Bad Girls' rhyme-slinger M.I.A. has also been making waves for years in the more indie realm of rap. Then there's Missy Elliott, who has been at it for more than 20 years now, producing hit after hit with tracks like 'Supa Dupa Fly (The Rain)' and 'Work It.' Meanwhile, Lauryn Hill has established one of the most venerated rap careers of them all for her time spent in the Fugees and as a solo artist.

We've also got some up-and-coming rapstresses in our poll, like '212' hottie Azealia Banks, Aussie rhyme-slinger Iggy Azalea, in-your-face 'Gucci' gal Kreayshawn, as well as 'X Factor' contestant Misha B and mile-a-minute rapper Rye Rye. Then there's the pop-rap crossover ladies like Kesha, Amy Heidemann of Karmin and Cher Lloyd. While these females are mostly known for their Top 40 sing-alongs, they are also known to spit some lighthearted rhymes.

All of the women in our poll are still active or have made a huge impact on rap as a whole with their careers, like eccentric electro-hop queen Santigold. So, vote for the star who you think is the best female rapper -- heavyweights like Lil Kim, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Salt-n-Pepa, TLC's Left Eye, Trina, Foxy Brown and the leading lady of Ruff Ryder, Eve, are all on the list as well -- and leave a comment below explaining why you chose them.

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