In the Hip-Hop industry, female rap artists are as few as Black Oscar winners. For these women to compete with their male counterparts, they must first prove themselves. Shawnna, the only female from Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace crew, has demonstrated to her group that she is worthy and ready to branch out as a solo artist.

Shawnna’s debut album “Worth Tha Weight,” received much support from her group way before its release.

“D.T.P. gave me much support in terms of going solo,” Shawnna said in an interview with exactmag.com. “It was all in agreement from the get go. Whoever would get the biggest buzz from (“Golden Grain,” D.T.P.’s group release) would go first.” “R.P.M.” featuring Twista and Shawnna, got the biggest buzz.

With support from Disturbing Tha Peace, the 26-year-old mother of two hopes to take the industry by storm. The native from the south side of Chicago is also the daughter of the four-time Grammy-winning blues guitarist, Buddy Guy. With a musical family tree and a love for Hip Hop, Shawnna (a.k.a. Rashawnna Guy) hopes her fans agree with her and “Worth Tha Weight” lives up to its namesake.

“R.P.M.” the track that put Shawnna on the map, is also one of the 18 on her album. It features Ludacris and Chicago native Twista. Not only is this track filled with pumping bass and a beat so crazy it will make a head spin, but it demonstrates that Twista isn’t the only person that can rhyme at the speed of lightning.

Shawnna proves to everyone and reiterates that she is the only female in the industry that can spit with the best of them. Although this track is a repeat from an earlier album, it will still get her fans on their feet as if it’s their first listen.

“U Crazy” features Jermaine Dupri, renowned producer of So So Def Productions. This track sounds like a premature party song. This is surprising because Dupri’s beat production is usually sharper than this. His beats are usually so hard knocking and popular that after hearing them once, the repeat listens are more than welcome. This is not the case. Shawnna’s lyrical content doesn’t help this track either. Her chosen delivery on this song makes it worse.

“Weight A Minute” produced by the famous Track Boyz, whose track list includes Nelly and Nappy Roots, gives that same vibe that “R.P.M.” does. This appears to be the track that represents the album title. Incorporating a fast-paced beat that is sharp and hard immediately gets her audience’s attention. Shawnna’s delivery is quick, funky and well suited for the beat. The combination is hot.

“What Can I Do” features the Grammy-wining Missy Elliot and is produced by the popular Kanye West. A track made especially for drinkers and smokers, the smooth beat will keep her fans relaxed and laid-back in the car, couch or someone’s basement. Those natives from Chicago will be reminded of driving down Stony Island St., or on the expressway at 2 a.m. letting this one play.

“Kick This One” samples MC Lyte’s “Kickin’ 4 Brooklyn” from back in the day. Adding her own spin and representing her hometown, Shawnna makes MC Lyte proud. Fans of Shawnna’s more rugged side may skip this track. However, fans of old school hip-hop and MC Lyte will praise Shawnna for her rendition.

“Turn It Up” is another example of Shawnna’s capabilities. Behind her, she has a hot, knocking beat that makes her delivery sound great. Unlike some of the other tracks that sound more feminine than that of her previous work, this one returns to her rugged personality.

“Super Freak” shows Shawnna’s sensual side. She raps of sexual pleasures and being vulnerable. “Posted (Remix)” features N.O.R.E and is the remix to D.T.P.’s “Posted” from the “Golden Grain” album. This is another track that exemplifies Shawnna’s tougher side. However, N.O.R.E. doesn’t add anything to this track – his presence is pointless.

Overall, “Worth Tha Weight” isn’t worth the wait. With repeated tracks and remixes of older songs, Shawnna disappoints her fans. However, she is talented and her delivery capabilities are profound enough to definitely make her outweigh her female competition. Artists such as Eve, Lil’ Kim, and Trina, definitely have a run for their money.

With more practice and help from her pal, Ludacris, Shawnna will soon have the female rap game sewn up. Although being in the industry requires competing, Shawnna says she is not interested in the challenge, she completely respects her female peers.

“I’m just really gonna be myself to stand out, I’m not gonna try to compete because I have too much respect for the doors the female artists before me have opened, and the door I’m opening for female artists behind me,” Shawnna said on reactmag.com.

Although her debut album isn’t an award-winning effort, Shawnna’s onstage performance is something to see. It’s hard to believe exactly how effortless and exquisite her delivery is until one witnesses it for oneself.

“My greatest asset is my show performance,” Shawnna said in the reactmag.com. interview.

She may be right.