Cdot The Catalyst is a dope lyricist who I’ve been chatting with on Twitter and iChat since last year. She’s cool, uber smart, talented, and well, definitely under exposed. We’ve had so many great talks and I love her irreverence and snark so much that I wanted her to submit this piece explaining her identity as a “femcee.” (I was supposed to post this months ago as part of a project that I never really got off the ground but that’s another story). Check out C Dot The Catalyst as she breaks down her disdain for the “f word” (femcee) and why Nicki Minaj gives her hope…
Apparently the tweets is watchin’ and reading my mind because I noticed a trending topic that read #becauseofnickiminaj…now aside from reading the obvious comments about chipmunk voices, Barbie personas and butt pads, I had my own response. “because of Nicki Minaj…I might have a chance.” My name is Charity Clay and I’m a woman and an emcee. I have difficulties with the term femcee because it implies that the term emcee is normalized to be a guy and I don’t think mic skills have a gender. I consider myself to be a lyricist and only measure myself by who I consider to be the best, but I digress. I was talking about how the popularity of Nicki Minaj is a good thing for us women in hip-hop who consider ourselves to be emcees. Now one would assume that my claim to be a lyricist would indicate some desire to reject the Nicki Minajes of the world because of the belief that they are destroying the purity of hip-hop but I have a different perspective on the situation. Read the rest of this entry »
BET premiered My Mic Sounds Nice: The Truth About Women in Hip-Hop last night and it was good, really good. I was actually surprised at how good it was. The filmmakers did a superb job conveying the tremendous impact of those of the xx variety on the culture. I didn’t learn anything new but it was informative enough for people who may have needed that lesson.
However, there wasn’t much of a solution presented. They tried at the end but most of the people they interviewed had a very industry way of thinking ie, shallow and narrow-minded.
“For me to try to find another Lauryn Hill is like for me to try to find another Jay-Z. That’s not happening. It’s like you don’t find those things those things find us,” said Kevin Liles.
Admittedly, I’ve never been a Trina fan. I was always indifferent because I just never clicked with her music enough (with the exception of a song or two). However, she has been the most consistent femcee with a major deal in the last decade as far as putting out consecutive music. I’ve discovered throughout my journey as a writer that people’s personalities help tremendously. I got the chance to interview her for nearly an hour last week because she guest edited VIBE.com on Friday. We talked about her fitness plan, she gave us a girl power playlist, she revealed how she dealt with the embarrassment of her stolen phone pics getting leaked and she also talked about her use of the word “bitch” and broke down her new single, “My Bitches.” If you’ve heard the song (or any of her music) then you know she uses the word as a positive. What stood out to me the most about her was how unapologetic, friendly and confident she was. She has a beautiful aura and I hope to interview her again. I secretly (but not so secretly, anymore) want to write someone’s autobiography (I’m trying to be like Aliya S. King). Maybe she’ll be the one, but I digress. In the meantime, I’ll dig up some of her old music and give her the chance I never did.
By this point everyone has posted this but anyway, I stumbled upon this song by Lauryn Hill called “Repercussions,” on The YBF. The folks over there say they were told that this was a demo and most likely won’t be a real song. It sounded beautiful and if it’s any indication that she’s seriously going to come back with new music, then I can’t wait. Check it out:
However, we’ve been down this road before. People get all hyped about a Fugees reunion or a Lauryn Hill comeback because of a random performance here or there and then it doesn’t happen. I think Lauryn Hill will release a solo album before The Fugees drop a project but either way, I’ll believe either when I see it.
“Repercussions” is a good start though, I liked it. How about you? Do you think Lauryn Hill is seriously going to make a come back?
She looked really nice and I loved the Samurai theme. I chuckled at the melodramatic ending but Michael Jai White was definitely a nice touch.
What people don’t realize is that Nicki Minaj is a true thespian. That’s why I don’t mind the dramatics in her wardrobe and the videos and the crazy voices (sans the Barbie talk). I get it because I grew up a theater kid too. Her music is still hit or miss for me but I know from personal experience that she’s very talented. She’s going to go far.
Likwuid is a super talented emcee who I’ve known for a couple of years but didn’t really get to interact with her until last year. She is celebrating the release of her third album, Gummy Bears & Champagne, tomorrow night at Broolyn’s Wealthy Ho$tage. For more info on that you can check her out at www.Likwuid.com, but before you head over there, check out this piece she submitted based on questions I emailed her in relation to her identity as a female emcee (next time I’m going to talk to her in the flesh!):
The million dollar question seems to be where are the women in hip-hop, but they’re hiding in plain site. Get to know Bless Roxwell, an MC and entrepreneur, and Cynical Smith a filmmaker, Duck Down affiliate and an entrepreneur. These women created their own lanes when the typical paths wouldn’t open. They talk about why women aren’t getting mainstream love and how we can start getting respect in hip-hop again.
Hip-hop is a culture. There’s so much more out there to see and discover than what people confine themselves to and that’s why I asked them to do this video. I appreciate them for submitting this and simply being dope creative beings.
Women like them inspire me. And I will continue to recognize not just them, but anyone who is passionate about their art. Rock on ladies!
