Roxanne Shante Makes History as First Solo Female Rapper to Receive GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award
Hip-Hop pioneer Roxanne Shante is set to make history as the first solo female rapper to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy. The honor will be presented to her on Saturday, February 1, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, just ahead of the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.
In a recent conversation with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, the Queens legend reflected on her career and the impact of freestyling on her life.
“It’s literally a second language to me,” Shante, 55, said before effortlessly dropping an impromptu rhyme. “It was just as easy as breathing.”
She reminisced about growing up in Queensbridge, where music surrounded her at every turn. “One thing about Queensbridge is you always heard a way out… I did get out, but it’s never gonna get out of me. I’m going to be QB till the day I die.”
A Legacy Cemented
Shante’s recognition places her among an elite group of Lifetime Achievement Award recipients this year, including Frankie Beverly, The Clash, Dr. Bobby Jones, Taj Mahal, Prince, and Frankie Valli. Additional honors will be given to Erroll Garner, Glyn Johns, and Tania León as Trustees Award recipients, while Dr. Leo Beranek will receive the Technical GRAMMY Award.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. praised this year’s honorees, stating, “Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape.”
GRAMMY Night Awaits
The 2025 GRAMMY Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, will take place on Sunday, airing live on CBS and Paramount+. The star-studded event will feature performances from Doechii, Stevie Wonder, Janelle Monáe, and more.
With this honor, Roxanne Shante not only cements her legacy but also paves the way for future generations of female rappers.
