Roxanne Shante

If you don't know who this woman is then you are not a true hip hop fan. Roxanne Shante was a part of Marley Marl's juice crew which featured Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan and an assortment of other MC's. She came on the scene after cutting the diss record Roxanne's revenge which was a response to Roxanne Roxanne by UTFO. After cutting a few more records she got out of the game and went to school for free. You want to know how she did that? Due to a clause in her recording contract it states that the label had to pay for her education for life. Not only is she one of the most well respected female MC's of all time but she has the Ph.D. title by her name. She is the prime example of making the game work for you and not the other way around. Much respect and props to the old school that paved the way.