Top 10 Best Rappers on RuPaul's Drag Race
#10: Detox
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She was season 5’s resident fashion queen. Viewers loved her for her looks and her humor. But even before her appearance on “Drag Race,” Detox was the resident rapstress in the girl group DWV, along with fellow queens Vicky Vox and season 4 contestant Willam. Their pop parody tracks always made room for Detox’s talent with her hilarious and obscene verses. The group has since broken up. However, Detox would go on to showcase her skills on “All Stars” 2, where she was an integral part of the now classic “Read U Wrote U” finale challenge.
#9: A'Keria C. Davenport
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Where is the body? She is the body. Season 11 and “All Stars” 6 stunner A’Keria C. Davenport entered the competition as a pageant queen with an eye for fashion. However, in the “Queens Everywhere” challenge, the finalists continued the show’s tradition of busting out some original verses. Needless to say, A’Keria came out swinging. Beginning the performance is no small feat, but she delivers. She doesn’t get nearly the love she deserves for her rapping, but since then, she hasn’t really capitalized on her apparent aptitude for it. Maybe she’s saving it for a future “All Stars” appearance?
#8: Katya
Top 10 Katya Moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race
You could color all of us surprised when this beloved “Drag Race” queen came out on the “All Stars” 2 finale and delivered what still stands as one of the franchise’s best rap verses. It includes everything from literature to war, and what else do you need? Now, something tells us Katya wouldn’t necessarily call herself a rapper – even if she does sometimes forget she’s not Cardi B (we’re joking). But when you sound that good, can write lyrics like these, and are able to deliver while in a split being carried by backup dancers, you might be a rapper.
#7: Peppermint
Long before she appeared on “Drag Race,” this finalist was one of New York’s biggest live drag entertainers. You can still see some of her early music, including a fast-paced spoof of Azealia Banks’ “212” on her YouTube page. When she busted out her verse on season 9’s “Category Is…,” it was a highlight of her run. Switching up the flow, her work on the track was so dynamic, and it was perfectly complemented by her incredible stage presence. Since her second place finish on season 9, Peppermint has gone on to release more music and star on Broadway. Though her sound is more R&B inspired, she’s blessed us with some great raps on tracks like “Black Pepper.”
#6: Sasha Colby
This season 15 champion came up through the pageant scene, and she was a legend when she walked into the Werk Room. She could’ve done half as well and still walked away the worthy winner. She had a few incredible opportunities to show off her rap skills. In “Blame It on the Edit,” a funky and slightly downtempo tune, she commanded our attention. Frankly, she had no reason to go this hard on her verse – but we’re so thankful she did. If it wasn’t over the second she walked onto the season, she basically ensured she’d get the crown once she busted these lyrics. What can we say? She cracked the code.
#5: Bob the Drag Queen
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It’s a shame there was no write and record a rap verse finale challenge on season 8. It’s safe to say that had there been one, Bob would’ve bodied it. Not that Bob needed help winning. Her season was a bit of a steamroll. But given her acumen with clever lyrics, acidic humor, and an admirable ability to just spit rhymes without shame, she’d have been a natural. And if you ever find yourself on the other end of a Bob diss track, just log off the Internet for a few months and practice some self-care.
#4: Yvie Oddly
While A’Keria did a great job opening “Queens Everywhere”, there’s no doubt Yvie Oddly was the star of the whole affair. It wasn’t just her flexibility that stood out. She’s a queen who knows she is, and always knows how to get her message across lyrically without cliché. Part of that is because there aren’t many queens like her. In her own music career, Yvie’s taken her talents even further. The studio album and singles she’s released are truly incredible. Not content to be defined by her “Drag Race” win, Yvie is an artist who raps to her own beat.
#3: Aja
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While the song she performed probably wasn’t the thing you remember most about her talent show on “All Stars” 3, let us remind you that Aja is a triple threat. She can rap, she can dance, and she can jump from there. She also has no problem expressing her fiery New York attitude, whether through social media posts or through her lyrics. In her music, you can hear her trying for something a little more artistic than fans may be used to. It’s clear there’s an incredible rapper there, with an ear for music that’s both interesting and ambitious. She’s an underdog. Her music, though, is worth many listens.
#2: Alaska
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What sets this “Drag Race” hall of famer apart is her ability to use her wicked sense of humor to slyly incorporate genuine artistry. Yes, her first studio album has a filthy title (if you know, you know). But don’t let that convince you it’s all parody. Alaska can whip out insane lyrics with insane clarity. The levels of irony and obscenity are actually wildly impressive, especially when you uncover all of them. Of course, she also has the honor of getting the first verse on “Read U Wrote U” – aka possibly the best “Drag Race” rap song of all time – and she nails it.
#1: Roxxxy Andrews
Yes, we’re here to make it clear. Roxxxy Andrews is the best rapper ever to hit the mainstage… Okay, okay. We’re joking. Here’s our real number one.
#1: Shea Couleé
Top 10 Shea Couleé Moments on RuPaul's Drag Race
She’s easily one of the most assured and naturally talented superstars ever to grace the mainstage. Shea Couleé proved that she could do anything. So when it turned out she could rap, it was just like, “well, yeah, of course.” Her amazing “Category Is…” section was just the start. When she came back for “All Stars,” she notably contributed another killer verse to RuPaul’s “Clap Back.” With her musicality and sense of artistry, Shea has already delivered amazing music on her own, although she tends to stay more in the dance and pop genres. However, if and when this icon does deliver an entire, full-blown rap album, we’ll be ready and waiting for more. Which “Drag Race” contestant do you think has a future in rap? Tell us in the comments!
