There are a lot of major events that happened in the 80’s
that would solidify the hip-hop culture right up to the present day. DJ Kool
Herc’s legendary bloc parties, Kool Moe Dee’s first battle against Busy Bee
Starski, the feud between the Bronx and Queensbridge that would define ‘beef’
forever after; this is a rich time in the culture’s history. But one story that
keeps being overlooked, except when strictly looking at the history of rap
beefs, is that of Roxanne Shanté. Making a name for herself as a battle rapper
at just 9 years old, her part in what would be called ‘the Roxanne Wars’ was a
defining moment for the genre, one that made it loud and clear that this
rapping thing wasn’t just for the boys.