Roxanne Shanté Named First Solo Female Rapper Recipient Of Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

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Roxanne Shanté is set to make history during the 67th Grammy awards.

The Queens native will recieve the Grammys ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, marking Roxanne Shanté the first solo female rapper to receive such recognition.

Shanté discussed her career beginnings and passion for rap with with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, explaining that the artform was always second nature to her.

“It’s literally a second language to me,” she said while explaining freestyling. “It was just as easy as breathing.” She continued, “I felt like my life was just a musical. Every block had music, everywhere you went there was a DJ. One thing about Queensbridge is you always heard a way out… I did get out but it’s never gonna get out of me. I’m going to be QB till the day I die.”

Frankie Beverly, The Clash, Dr. Bobby Jones, Taj Mahal, Prince, and Frankie Valli will all being joining Roxanne Shante as 2025 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees.

“It’s an amazing privilege to honor this eclectic group of music icons during the year’s biggest week in music,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. “Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape. We can’t wait to celebrate this group and their achievements in February.”

The 2025 Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2nd on CBS and Paramount+. It will be hosted by Trevor Noah with performances by Doechii, Janelle Monae, Stevie Wonder, and more.

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