I really think the media and their publicity department does most of that.

Please don't forget Queen Latifah -she was the first female  rapper and signed with Tommy  Boy records in the late 80's. Then came Missy Elliot.

Here's her first album done in 1988.

http://youtu.be/LQYfim5KSaw

Here's a great article showing photos and YouTube … Read more

I don't have an opinion on these people and could care less if they fell off the ends of the Earth. They're petty, useless people that don't deserve any of my attention.