With Eve turning to R&B, Foxy Brown only recently released from prison and other jailbird Lil' Kim judging reality TV shows, the mantle of female rapper was resting heavily on Missy's shoulders. So she'll be relieved to hear there's a new gen of gum-cracking girls ready to share the burden. Not since Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte and, er, Da Brat have da ladies had such a moment on open mic night. But, get ready, a new breed of rhyme-spitting girls are out to prove whatever the boys can do, they can do better.

Amanda Blank

Loved by potty-mouthed girls everywhere since she got down and dirty on Spank Rock's Bump in 2006, and then started talking "coochie lips" on Lindsay Lohan's Revenge, Amanda Blank looks like butter wouldn't melt. And then she opens her mouth. Currently working on her debut album – with help from Spank Rock's Naeem Juwan, MIA and Santogold – there's singing involved if performances at SXSW are anything to go by, but Miss Blank can't ever ditch her devilish side completely. As she says, "I keep it dirty, not like Fergie, in the Black-Eyed Peas." Get ready to blush.

Kid Sister

Anyone who has been out past their bedtime in the last year has probably heard Kid Sister already. Hers is the Saltn'Pepa-style rap on The Count & Sinden's club hit Beeper. And when she's not extolling the virtues of The Wire's favourite means of communication, she's working with Kayne West. 'Pro Nails' (out this month) is her genius ode to the nail bar, complete with Kayne rap and lyrics about "getting her toes did". Signed to Fools' Gold in the US – the label belonging to her boyf, Kanye tour DJ and DMC champ, A-Trak – this Chicago girl out to hit the big time. Just watch out for the acrylics.

Lil Mama

If you loved Britney's Hit Me Baby One More Time but felt it lacked references to cosmetics, Lil Mama is for you. Her track Lip Gloss was an accapella school hallway extravaganza with shout outs to L'Oreal and MAC and a magic lipgloss that makes you popular (every schoolgirl's dream). It's not all a riot in the beauty hall, however. New single Shawty Gets Loose sees her hook up with Chris Brown and T-Pain and some purple hair weave. And, on a serious note, the 18-year-old has titled herself Voice Of The Young People, with upcoming album L.I.F.E telling stories of hard knock life on the streets.

Teyana Taylor

Hugely hyped in the US, some people tried to put Teyana Taylor down because she starred on My Super Sweet Sixteen. Any sensible person, however, will understand that this only adds to her genius. Featuring in the video for Jay-Z's Blue Magic, the 17-year-old was taken under Pharrell's wing, signed to his label, and is now poised to become a Star Trak princess. With her self-referential Google Me (which includes the line 'I'm a ce-le-bri-teee') on repeat in the US, and debut album From A Planet Called Harlem recently released, temper tantrums, superstardom and diva demands are only a matter of time. Bring 'em on, we say.