The film covers everything from artistry, imaging and the thin ranks of female MCs (from more than 40 in the early ’90s to a handful on major labels now) to whether there’s still a place for women in hip-hop. Ava DuVernay, who directed and executive-produced “Mic” through her Forward Movement Films, says she was most surprised by the ladies’ vulnerability.

“Females in hip-hop made a big mistake by becoming Robin to Batman when they fought to be Batman,” says Roxanne Shante, another rap pioneer who appears in the film. “There’s absolutely still a place for female MCs. But now it seems like it’s being built on lipstick and eye shadow, which can be washed away. We have to go back to the talent and skills, how it was originally built.”

In addition to emerging solo rappers Diamond (ex-Crime Mob) and Tiye Phoenix, the film features comments from musician Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, producer Swizz Beatz and industry vets Kevin Liles and Russell Simmons.

Noticeably absent in the film are such faces as Queen Latifah and rising star Nicki Minaj. DuVernay says, “Everyone that you think should be in the film was asked.”