Rap Sh!t review: Issa Rae’s comedy is a powerful ode to groundbreaking female rappers

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The monumental comedy – about two Black female friends living in Los Angeles, whose flaws are exacerbated by the city’s obsession with status and exclusivity – made Rae a star. In their place are impassioned Instagram video rants: “Y’all say, ‘Ooh I want a different type of female rapper.’ No, you f***ing don’t!” These largely come from awkward Shawna, star of Rae’s newest comedy, for which the creator stays firmly behind the camera as executive producer. The soul and heart behind Shawna and Mia distinctly mimic Insecure’s central friendship, with the show led by two Black women whose insecurities are overcome with the help of each other’s support. Easily distinguishable as a love letter to the female rappers – Nicki Minaj, Noname, and City Girls – who have successfully fought their way to the top in a male-dominated industry, the series can feel niche if you’re not overly familiar with the rap scene.