17. A flood of new female rappers — Starting with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, an influx of young, whip-smart female rappers have cropped up in this generation, matching their male counterparts in swagger and style. Without having to "butch" it up or play toward a hyper-sexualized ideal, like female rappers of the past, the women of the new guard have forged their own aesthetics and identities and are redefining what hip-hop looks like. Kreayshawn, Azealia Banks, Angel Haze, Iggy Azalea, Dominique Young Unique, Kitty Pryde...these are the new Jay-Zs and Lil' Waynes.

Photo: Courtesy of Interscope Records