Top 10 Most Underrated RuPaul's Drag Race Verses

By the second premiere of Season 12, we had already seen a group of outstanding queens with phenomenal verses on the first episode’s rap track. Tasked with introducing herself on a Bob Fosse-esque jazz number, San Francisco queen Rock M. Sakura dared to take a risk on her very first showing. Her verse, talk-rapped in a 1920s century gangster accent, referenced the time period of Fosse’s “Chicago” and gave us a glimpse into Rock’s clever wit. Now, if only she’d remembered the other lyrics, she probably could’ve edged her way to the top. Michelle Visage may not have appreciated the scat humor. But after the “Daytona Wind” episode on Season 14, she’s basically given up her rights to fault it.

For a queen who was eliminated twice right at the start of the season, Elliott with 2 Ts had a lot to prove when she was brought back by Ru. And boy did she eat up the rest of the winner’s circle on this track! While her choreographed performance was clearly the brightest one in the batch, Miss 2 Ts still doesn’t get enough love for her arresting lyrics. Coming in hot towards the end of the song, Elliott shows more than enough nerve and talent to justify her deserving spot back in the competition. Was she the underdog at this point? Absolutely, and she was smart enough to know just how to make that work in her favor.

One of the best songs ever performed on “Drag Race,” “Kitty Girl” showcased four queens at the very top of their game. The highly controversial finale ended in a win for Trixie Mattel, who shines in her verse on the track. She steps right up to the plate, serving enough baseball references to make you question if you’re actually watching “Drag Race” or the World Series. It’s hard to stand out when you’re among extraordinary performers like Shangela and Kennedy Davenport, but Trixie more than matches up with her fun songwriting and bubbly energy. And isn’t it hilarious she calls back to her signature blonde hair the one time she wears a purple wig?

The second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” is arguably one of the best seasons of the show, across all franchises. The stellar installment culminated in a final performance of “A Little Bit of Love” that arguably left a lot to be desired. But even with the wonky song mixing and interesting choreography, no one was surprised to see Tayce absolutely slay the challenge. We are shocked she doesn’t get more love for it, though. Proving that last is definitely not least, she spits a fire verse, boasting of her undeniable strengths in the first few lines. Not struggling for a second to stay on beat, Tayce flows naturally, delivering an enter-taint-ing cut that’s only outmatched by her spellbinding performance.

Watch out queens, cos Tamisha Iman really is coming for you! With decades of experience, dozens of drag babies and a lasting legacy, her presence on “Drag Race” was long overdue. In her “Phenomenon” verse, Tamisha proudly lets all the children know of her wealth of talents. Yet she remains humble enough to acknowledge the hurdles she crossed to get there, and the daunting challenge ahead. The main reason why this verse is overlooked is probably Tamisha’s rather lackluster performance overall, but that’s understandable due to her health challenges. And it doesn’t make her words any less powerful. Nonetheless, the legendary diva manages to prove that a seasoned icon like herself can still sweep the youth away.

A lot of pageant queens are notable just for their fashion skills, but we don’t appreciate A’Keria C. Davenport enough for her sharp humor and lyrical prowess. It’s a combination of all these things that took her right to the top 4 on Season 11, and we see them shine through on “Queens Everywhere.” Here, she sells her brand, recognizes her winning talents and even implores you to give her a holler. She not only makes timeless pop culture references, but also creates catchphrases of her own that will be referenced for years. The “Drag Race” multiverse of madness begins with A’Keria asking “Where is the body?” and ends with Trinity the Tuck’s answer on Season 9’s “Category Is.”

On her original season, Jinkx Monsoon edged her way to the crown with her quirky personality and off-kilter humor. After almost a decade away from the “Drag Race” stage, it was a delight to know that the Season 5 winner still possessed all of those skills. For their premiere maxi challenge, the All Stars 7 queens had to re-introduce themselves with sickening verses on “Legends.” Jinkx serves up quintessential MILF energy during her part, making all the boys swoon and scrubbing them down in her bathtub. We’ll never think of “water off a duck’s back” in the same way again. Jinkx’s underappreciated verse is fresh, funny and a little bit freaky. If anything, we wanted even more.

There arguably hasn’t been a more well-rounded Top 4 than the finalists of Season 9. So it’s no surprise their work in this number has racked up millions of views on YouTube. Shea Couleé and Peppermint are instant stand-outs on the track. But it may take a few listens to grasp just how brilliant Sasha Velour’s cut is. The gender-bending New York queen flips famous quotes on their heads and injects her oddball personality into her lyrics. The result is a truly amazingly eccentric verse devoid of the usual finale song tropes. From the creepy crawl onto the stage like something out of a horror movie, to the terrifying scream, everything works to complement Sasha’s exceptional songwriting.

Midway into the second series of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” production had to be paused for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the break, most of the queens seemed to return to the competition reinvigorated. Bimini was chief among them. Their showing in this episode set the stage for a remarkable run throughout the second half of the series. In their verse, they call out the other queens for underestimating them and go on to celebrate their non-binary identity. Combining clever wordplay, their personality and an empowering message, Bimini crafted an anthem for the girls, gays and theys. It even led to a BAFTA TV nomination for “Must-See Moment.” So it’s about time they be recognized as the international treasure they are!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jackie Cox on “I’m That B**ch”, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 12
She Defines Camp with Her Verse & Name-Drops Other Iconic Coxes

Asia O’Hara on “American”, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 10
Asia Strides Across the Pacific Ocean to Give a Truly Inspiring, American Verse

Lemon on “Not Sorry Aboot It”, “Canada’s Drag Race” Season 1
Only a Handful of Queens Can Rival Lemon at Delivering a Rap Verse, & This Proves Just That

Divina de Campo on “Rock It (To the Moon)”, “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Series 1
Divina Flies Into Outer Space with a Mature & Powerful Message

Anita Wigl'it on “Queens Down Under”, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” Season 1
Weaving Together Comedy & Wordplay, Anita Wiggles Her Way Into Our Hearts

Going from 8th place on her original season to the top 4 on All Stars in a span of months showed just how quickly Mo Heart improved her drag. Although she finished as a runner-up, Mo’s display on the final performance of “Super Queen” deserved a lot more recognition from the judges. In her verse, she wastes no time rehashing catchphrases and buzzwords from her run. Instead, she opts for a polished, professional sound, belting out pristine melodies and mesmerizing lyrics. It also really helps that she’s a phenomenal dancer who knows how to work her fabric and the surrounding mist to her advantage. She may not have clinched the crown on the season, but Mo definitely won our Hearts.