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Homophobia and misogyny are ingrained in hip-hop. But a new generation of women and queer artists are determined to challenge the status quo.

Cakes Da Killa is an openly gay rapper who has been recording for more than a decade. In this two-part series he talks to female stars like number one artist Latto, and queer rappers like Ripparachie to find out how far they have come, the issues they still face and where they are going next.

Cakes begins in New York, the birthplace of hip-hop, almost 50 years since the first party hosted by DJ Kool Herc. The popular sound of the city right now is drill, which is a far cry from the disco origins of the genre. But is there more room for difference now, beyond the violent and over sexualised stereotypes in hip-hop?

Despite differences in their backgrounds, lives and music, the performers Cakes speaks to are driven by a common goal – to be creative on their own terms without bowing down to pressure from labels and the industry to conform. Will they succeed to build a more inclusive hip-hop for the future? And if so at what cost?

Featuring artists including Savannah Hannah, Maliibu Miitch and Sevendeep

Producer: Miriam Williamson

(Photo: Cakes da Killa. Credit: Ebru Yildiz)