The international hip-hop music festival Rolling Loud is making its New York City debut this weekend with some of the genre's biggest names, like Staten Island's own Wu Tang Clan — but the women of hip-hop are mostly absent.

The festival features rising talent such as Megan Thee Stallion, Rico Nasty, and Saweetie on its lineup. But Kathy Iandoli, music journalist and author of the forthcoming book God Save The Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop, said this was a missed opportunity to spotlight the New York women who helped make hip-hop what it is.

"Considering the fact that so many women in hip-hop came from New York City and this is the first time that New York will be experiencing Rolling Loud, it is a little strange they're not here," Iandoli said, mentioning artists such as Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, and Ms. Lauryn Hill as pioneers. She said the omission is especially jarring today, as powerhouses such as Cardi B and Nicki Minaj dominate the charts.

"I think what women are doing now is really just leaving the shadows of male mentors, and really standing on their own in a way that would allow for a greater exposure," Iandoli said.

Iandoli spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake.