Why do you think , especially in the hip hop and grime scene it ’ s so heavily male dominated ?
I think it is a masculine genre . Soul music is " softer " and is traditionally something that you would expect to hear a woman singing . Hip Hop , from the beats to the concepts are harder and more aggressive . These are traits that you would associate with men . Over the years , because there have been so few female rappers that have made an impact but yet there have been so many men , we as women are at a disadvantage because there isn ’ t the history that the men have . The men can go back and they can find more role models ; Jay Z , Nas , Tupac , Biggie , Big Daddy Kane , whereas female MCs , in terms of significant break through , don ’ t have the same sort of history before Lil Kim and Foxy .
Photograph by : Habiba Khanam
For me , my role model is Missy because she produced her own beats and produced beats for other people . Do you think she ' s an inspiration ?
Missy along with Lauryn Hill , in terms of female rappers and musicians , what I love about Missy and Lauryn Hill is that it didn ’ t just stop at writing bars , they would carry a tune or they ' d co produce and yes , they are both definitely an inspiration for me .
Amplify Dot
Finally , do you have any inspiring words for ladies trying to do their thing as rappers ?
My advice would be don ’ t ever let someone tell you can ’ t do something , just because no one has done it before doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t be the first . Those negative comments have to be like water off a ducks back . They probably come from people who couldn ’ t do it themselves . I mean be self-critical and take advise from people you trust , don ’ t be like those people who come on x factor and they ' re really bad . If everyone ' s saying it then maybe find a different hobby
Written by : Jemma McLean
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