Jon Caramanica of  The New York Times takes a big swing and a miss with his recent proclamation that Nicki Minaj is the the most influential female MC…ever.  Yes, this is the same Nicki Minaj who’s had one album, total, on Young Money (number 2 released last week), and who recycles the same two or three cartoon voices in all of her songs.  And she’s more influential than Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill, and Missy Elliott?  Nope. Sorry.  Going platinum with your first album and inspiring a few female MCs who could very well end up flaming out is not enough to get the title of most influential ever.

Without saying it, Caramanica seems to be pointing to the relative lack of influence women have had on rap music.  Just to keep it real, I am the first to admit that female influence on rap–especially over the last 10 or so years–has been underwhelming (with some notable exceptions).  But to declare that upstart Nicki Minaj is already the most influential ever is a true dis in my mind, ignoring the foundations laid by more talented–and yes, more influential–women before her.  Maybe Minaj will eventually take her place alongside them, but (a) I am not holding my breath and (b) she’s definitely not there yet.   If her embarrassing Grammy performance proved anything, it’s that she’s struggling to articulate a coherent artistic viewpoint, and until she finds that (still not holding my breath) it’s crazy to suggest she’s anything other than a fad within a genre that has had more enduring successes.