Hip- Hop Icon, Roxanne Shanté has become the first solo female rapper to receive the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The Recording Academy honored Shanté at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on February 1, 2025.
This recognition is a testament to Shanté’s enduring legacy in hip-hop. At just 14 years old, she burst onto the Hip-Hop scene with her iconic track “Roxanne’s Revenge,” a bold response to UTFO’s “Roxanne, Roxanne.” The song sparked the infamous “Roxanne Wars,” cementing Shanté’s place in hip-hop history.
Born Lolita Shanté Gooden in Queens, New York, Shanté’s journey in hip-hop has been marked by resilience, determination, and a passion for empowering others. Her music has inspired generations of artists, and her impact extends far beyond the hip-hop community.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved recognition of Shanté’s groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop. As the first solo female rapper to receive this honor, she paves the way for future generations of female artists.
STORY BY: EUNICE ADJEI