The state of females in rap has declined by far since the golden days of hip hop. Just because the femcees haven't been in the forefront doesn't mean they don't exist though. And I'm NOT talking about bubble gum rap like Nicki and Kreyshawn. That is NOT Rap. That is simple rhyming at best.
When I say the femcee is alive and kicking I'm talking about the likes of this woman.. Persia.
Dissmiss what you have heard, this is REAL rap. Persia was kind enough to give me some of her time for an interview. So we got straight into a little hip-hop banter..
1997 - Once Sean Combs got his hands on Hip Hop it was never the same.....
Q: What do you feel is to blame for the watering down of HipHop ?
I think there are plenty of passionate artists who embody the essence of Hip Hop, but the powers that be dont allow them to pay bills on essence alone. So in order to survive doing something you were born to do most artist must water down their message. I dont blame the artist, I blame corporate...The rapper is just trying to stay above water, literally...
Q: Do you see a revival of HipHop coming and what role are you playing ?
I've always said music is a revolving door, it will 360 back around to the raw message it once was. I think J Cole is prime example of this. He is what we have been missing in the game, and noone saw it coming - not even me. My roll........ I'm what the female rapper was intended to be, real - someone who spits with emotion....I speak from experience, I offer something alot of female listeners have been left without, a voice for them. I'm just doing what God intended me to do, my role has already been written.
Q: What do you feel has to be done to revive HipHop ?
I think the fans have to show the labels what they want instead of letting the labels give you what they THINK you want....
Q: How do you feel you differ from other females in the industry ?
I'm not afraid to be who I am, good or bad. People relate to me, both men & woman - not alot of females can say that. I represent a breed of people not a gender or race. And I murder the fuck outta any beat I touch ! *big smile*
Q: When you see people like Nicki and Kreyshawn get paid to basically make a mockery of your art what keeps you going ?
If Nicki made me realize one thing, its that there is a difference between Rap & Hip Hop. In all honestly I think Nicki is talented, she has just chosen who she wants to be in this game and I truly believe she is being herself. So my hat goes off to her to being able to be herself. I tell people all the time, it's easier to love Nicki for who she is than to hate her for who she's not. Now Kreayshawn *cough* is a totally different story. Rapping is a calling and Kreayshawn straight *82'd us. People make money doing all types of things so the money other people make isn't what bothers me, its more so the recognition. To hear Kreayshawn referred to as a white female rapper is just disturbing, and her blatant disrespect for the actual culture is what makes me want to slit her throat, on a beat that is... *wink*
Q: Being a female in a male dominated industry do you feel you have to hold yourself in a different manner to get the same respect they do ?
I'm sure I have to, but I dont.....I cant, it would alter my personality - and we cant have that now !
Q: Besides yourself who do you think has the talent to bring HipHop back to its roots ?
I've been riding with Joell Ortiz ever since he opened his mouth....Him, Emperor Chi, Fred The GodSon & J Cole just to name a few.....
This woman got bars to no end, a refreshing breathe of air with a real story to tell.
When I say the femcee is alive and kicking I'm talking about the likes of this woman.. Persia.
Dissmiss what you have heard, this is REAL rap. Persia was kind enough to give me some of her time for an interview. So we got straight into a little hip-hop banter..
Q: Where do you think HipHop stopped being about the art and became about the $$ ?
1997 - Once Sean Combs got his hands on Hip Hop it was never the same.....
Q: What do you feel is to blame for the watering down of HipHop ?
I think there are plenty of passionate artists who embody the essence of Hip Hop, but the powers that be dont allow them to pay bills on essence alone. So in order to survive doing something you were born to do most artist must water down their message. I dont blame the artist, I blame corporate...The rapper is just trying to stay above water, literally...
Q: Do you see a revival of HipHop coming and what role are you playing ?
I've always said music is a revolving door, it will 360 back around to the raw message it once was. I think J Cole is prime example of this. He is what we have been missing in the game, and noone saw it coming - not even me. My roll........ I'm what the female rapper was intended to be, real - someone who spits with emotion....I speak from experience, I offer something alot of female listeners have been left without, a voice for them. I'm just doing what God intended me to do, my role has already been written.
Q: What do you feel has to be done to revive HipHop ?
I think the fans have to show the labels what they want instead of letting the labels give you what they THINK you want....
Q: How do you feel you differ from other females in the industry ?
I'm not afraid to be who I am, good or bad. People relate to me, both men & woman - not alot of females can say that. I represent a breed of people not a gender or race. And I murder the fuck outta any beat I touch ! *big smile*
Q: When you see people like Nicki and Kreyshawn get paid to basically make a mockery of your art what keeps you going ?
If Nicki made me realize one thing, its that there is a difference between Rap & Hip Hop. In all honestly I think Nicki is talented, she has just chosen who she wants to be in this game and I truly believe she is being herself. So my hat goes off to her to being able to be herself. I tell people all the time, it's easier to love Nicki for who she is than to hate her for who she's not. Now Kreayshawn *cough* is a totally different story. Rapping is a calling and Kreayshawn straight *82'd us. People make money doing all types of things so the money other people make isn't what bothers me, its more so the recognition. To hear Kreayshawn referred to as a white female rapper is just disturbing, and her blatant disrespect for the actual culture is what makes me want to slit her throat, on a beat that is... *wink*
Q: Being a female in a male dominated industry do you feel you have to hold yourself in a different manner to get the same respect they do ?
I'm sure I have to, but I dont.....I cant, it would alter my personality - and we cant have that now !
Q: Besides yourself who do you think has the talent to bring HipHop back to its roots ?
I've been riding with Joell Ortiz ever since he opened his mouth....Him, Emperor Chi, Fred The GodSon & J Cole just to name a few.....
Check Persia out at : PersiaGotNext and download a few tracks..
This woman got bars to no end, a refreshing breathe of air with a real story to tell.
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