From the early days of hip-hop, women have been integral to shaping the culture, yet they have often had to fight twice as hard for recognition. Legends like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Bahamadia, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, Lauryn Hill, and Missy Elliott laid the foundation for future generations, proving that women could hold their own in a genre historically dominated by men. Today, global icons such as Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Rapsody, and Little Simz continue to diversify the narrative of what it means to be a female rapper.

In South Korea, the hip-hop market has been even more challenging. While pioneers like Yoon Mirae paved the way, female MCs remain underrepresented in the industry. Artists like CL, SLEEQ, SINCE, Jessi have opened more doors for women to enter the industry, but the lack of structural support, industry bias, and limited opportunities for women in hip-hop remain persistent barriers. Unlike their male counterparts, female rappers in Korea and much of Asia often face stricter scrutiny over their image, lyrical content, and marketability, forcing them to navigate an industry that favours male artists.

The reasons behind this gender disparity are complex – ranging from societal expectations to industry gatekeeping. Korean hip-hop, despite its evolution, still operates within an entertainment industry that prioritises male artists. Female rappers often receive less media attention, and fewer collaboration opportunities, and are sometimes boxed into restrictive categories that limit their artistic freedom. The underground scene has given rise to more independent female MCs, but mainstream success remains elusive for many. However, change is happening. Platforms like Show Me the Money (no longer on air), Unpretty Rapstar and Rap:Public have provided visibility to emerging female talents, and a growing number of independent artists are leveraging digital platforms to reach wider audiences. With global conversations around gender equality in music gaining traction, the hope is that Korea and the rest of Asia will see a more inclusive hip-hop scene where female rappers receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.  Although the struggle is real, there are some tough cookies in the hip-hop world that refuse to bow down and are willing to push towards success; one of those artists is Lee Youngji, a 22-year-old rapper and singer-songwriter. 

Youngji has already achieved immense success after winning Show Me The Money, a rap competition. She has also released a substantial amount of music – enough to warrant a separate essay. While she has never gone on a solo tour in Europe, including the UK, she did perform in London at OVO Wembley Arena during the Korea on Stage event, alongside artists such as ATEEZ, BOYNEXTDOOR, Jannabi, STAYC, Xdinary Heroes, and P1Harmony.

While many wished she had included more countries on her recent ALL OR NOTHING Tour, fans were grateful that she performed in at least Paris and London.

In London, Youngji performed at The Clapham Grand, a former theatre built in 1900, in front of over 1,000 fans. Some of the acts to have performed at the venue in recent years include Madness, Public Enemy, Jamiroquai, Paul Weller, Oasis, Muse, Hole, The Verve, and Jamie Cullum, just to name a few.

Youngji’s youthful spirit hit the stage as fast as a cheetah catching its prey. With a live band backing her – a decision that enhances any rapper’s performance – she kicked off the show with an intro song before diving straight into Go High, a track that originally features Code Kunst. The energy in the room surged as she flawlessly delivered her verses with the speed and power of a Concorde jet racing from London to New York. She even handled Kunst’s parts with ease. 

At just 22, Youngji’s presence is as impressive as some of hip-hop’s greatest legends – her confidence reminded me of Queen Latifah in her prime. Confetti burst into the air as she shouted, “London, scream!” and greeted the crowd, “Nice to meet you, London! Make some motherf***ing noise!” She then added, “This is my second time in London, but my first solo concert here.” 

While I’m not usually a fan of artists talking after every song, Youngji is so naturally funny that her banter felt more like a mix of a hip-hop concert and a stand-up comedy show. After a few more tracks, she performed Dark Room from her 2019 release of the same name, directing the audience with sharp “Jump, jump!”. Her youthful energy was immense, delivering machine-gun-speed verses while keeping the crowd fully engaged.  

Taking a moment between songs, she playfully teased, “This is just my warm-up! You gotta jump more!”. After a few powerful tracks, Youngji slowed down things with Freesia, originally featuring Layone, from her 2022 release Flower Language, showing off her softer side and proving she’s also a good singer. This was followed by Day & Night, her collaboration with Jay Park, where she impressed the crowd by holding her own without him on stage. At one point, she was passing the mic from fan to fan as they sang along, creating a spontaneous moment.

Her humour remained on full display as she introduced the next song: “My next song is for cats. I love cats, but I’m allergic to them.” Youngji also included ADHD, Small Girl, and That’s My Girl in her setlist with the latter featuring her characteristic rapid-fire delivery. Despite all the jokes and casual chatting, the show felt like a giant university gathering – hanging out with a best friend who just happens to be an insanely talented rapper. Then came In My DNA – a song that had the potential to shake the walls with its heavy beats. The audience was fully engaged, chanting along as Youngji controlled the stage with the confidence of a great performer. Her polished delivery made it clear: she is a star.  

Youngji smoothly moved to Fraktsiya (feat. Mark), followed by Trouble, during which she orchestrated the crowd like a choir director leading a service. The audience followed her every command, proving how in sync they were with her energy. Blue Check (feat. Jessi and Jay Park) and We (feat. Jay Park) came next, both executed beautifully.  

I was delighted when the rapper performed Not Sorry (feat. pH-1), a song she originally performed on Show Me the Money. While I would have loved to see pH-1 join her on stage, Youngji delivered the song with fire and precision. Mid-performance, she even invited a fan on stage for a “rap battle”, which was refreshing to see, as it showed that she is one of those accessible artists. 

After an extensive final ment, Youngji wrapped up the night with Smoke Remix and an unexpected but brilliant cover of Juice by Lizzo.

Youngji left the stage just as she had entered – like a force of nature. From start to finish, her performance was superb. Looking at the rapper’s show, I can say that she is an entertainer in every sense of the word! Her fearless authenticity is what many of us look for in artists.  She says what’s on her mind, performs with unfiltered passion, and makes her fans feel like they’re part of her journey. Watching her on stage, you can’t help but feel inspired. 

Youngji’s performance showed that hard work and perseverance always pay off. As Colin Powell once said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work,” and Youngji manifests this spirit wholeheartedly.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Mainstream Winter Inc

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_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}