u ready??

peace everybody! what's poppin, it's me and I'm back this week with a new "She's So Fresh" Fridayz but a little different this time. every now and then we are reminded that we are not always in control. so that being said, due to technical difficulties, She's So Fresh will not be coming to you on The Bloom Blog this week only. we can plan and arrange as much as we want, however every now and then life intervenes to let us know, we can only do so much. all good, because The Bloom Effect is actively working to resolve the issue! so we trust that by next friday it will be on and poppin again!! which is dope BECAUSE...

next week will be the "She's So Fresh" Showcase recap!! that's right! can you believe it, November 5th just sorta crept up on us, not really but IT DID! I'm uber excited and proud and all atwitter (lol) with anticipation! it is going to be really live and really FRESH and all the sistas coming through to represent are going to give 200%! with TastyKeish as our host and DJ Chela coming oh so correct on the turntables, not to mention all the incredibly sick talent that will be in the building, I have a feeling it will be a night to remember! so please, get there when the doors open at 9p, because last time it got to be standing room only relatively fast and since we appreciate the support I personally want to make sure that you don't miss out! you can also hear myself and the sistas that will be performing, as well as TastyKeish, LIVE this Sunday from 2-5p on Circa 95 Radio!! we will all be tweeting I'm sure but please log on, drop some shouts in the chatroom and support independent radio also!

so til next week family! all the ladies of "She's So Fresh" as well as myself appreciate your continued support. this is bigger than Hip Hop but through Hip Hop we'll give something beautiful and lasting to the world. and so I thank you and I'ma see you on Thursday!

Healing Individuals Powerfully, Healing Ourselves Progressively!! (H.I.P.H.O.P)

We spend our entire existence focusing on movement and growth. Eyes wide open chasing the prize, the dream, working towards our desire and goals.Constantly, we are told by others that regardless of failures and success we need to “KEEP IT MOVING,” and keep it moving we should. We are made to believe that time is most certainly of the essence. Time waits for no WO/man.While the world hurries by marking off the next item on their to-do list – I dare you to STOP! Find a tranquil space to meditate and reflect of what was; rejuvenate mind, body and soul for what shall be.

It’s been a year since I decided to courageously leave home (South Africa), pack my bags and go on what was to become the most life changing journey of my life. Feels like just yesterday when I was mesmerized by a microphone; the power it had to transmute my emotions; the power it had to usher me into a world filled with words, thoughts and most importantly, creativity. A fifteen year engagement with my first love, HipHop and just under 10 years when the M.C. within emerged and took the world stage. One moment I’m in my bedroom having a Sugar Hill Gang moment (brush in hand, cap cocked to the side); and the next, my name appears alongside Lin Que (Isis) in a ‘She’s So Fresh’ showcase. Can this all be real? Did I really bless the Lyricist Lounge stage??This siSTAR has come a long way!

The eye opener was finding the blessings in the turmoil. The sudden passing of my sibling allowed me to search for an outlet to escape the hurt.So as you reflect on your life and the reasons why you choose to rock the mic, you will understand the deep seated reason why you rock the mic; to heal yourself and through healing self, your words resonates on the listener and they too find comfort in your melodies.

Healing Individuals Powerfully Healing Ourselves prolifically!! (H.I.P.H.O.P)

It is only when we fully fathom our god given gift and why we were chosen to hone it will our words reach the masses effectively. We sit and focus on our success and pay the hurdles no mind, however when we reflect all the specs of the canvases of our lives, it most certainly makes an interesting picture. You needed to stumble where you did; you needed to enter the cipher and be taken out so you could perfect your skill; you needed to be disappointed by others so that you understood what is means to rely on self; you needed to be ignored by the men in Hip-Hop so that you could become 3 times the femcee. SiSTARS! Would we step to the stage with purpose if things were peaceful and everything just fell into place? After rhyming one too many verses in the bedroom, I was called out and “dissed” for no reason at all and today as I look back at it with appreciation, a fellow mc unwillingly lured me to that mic, it was time to stand up for myself and become…CONTRO’VERSY!

Every single situation/moment will open up a possibility for growth. Every single hurdle is an opportunity that presents itself. As students of life, the world and the streets are our classroom.As we become stronger, better beings REFLECT on success and failure and give thanks. Your every moment in the past has shaped the FEMCEE you have become.

- CONTRO 'VERSY

cuts so sweet..

what it do everybody! so this week, we venture to the world of wax and needles, sounds fun right, juuust kidding! but actually...I'm serious because this week we have a sista that has always repped hard on those wondrous wheels of steel.

she's been practicing her craft for over 10 years, she is the NY Source Magazine DJ Champion and the only female DJ to make it to the DMC USA Finals. she's a member of championship DJ team 5th Platoon, Founder and DJ for the all female Hip Hop collective Anomolies and Co-Founder of the coalition R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop (Representing Education, Activism & Community through Hip Hop). she is...

DJ Kuttin Kandi.

having competed in over 20 DJ competitions and having rocked all over the world with everybody from Punk Riot Grrrl group LeTigre to Kool Herc, LL Cool J, Jay Z, Dead Prez and more, this is a sista that takes her craft and commitment seriously, and not just to her music.

her commitment to humanity as an Activist/ Community Organizer is beyond question. She's been the Chair-Elect of the national women’s organization GABRIELA Network and supports various organizations such as Ugnayan, Damayan, FAHSI, CAAAV, ANSWER, United for Peace & Justice and so much more...

finding time to devote herself to teaching and mentoring the youth, for 3 years she taught a Hip Hop/DJ Activism class and Poetry Classes at El Puente’s Leadership Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. she understands that the power of Hip Hop can be utilized to educate, build solidarity, create awareness and fight for social justice in the world.

in the role of a motivational speaker she's spoken on the college lecture circuit at universities such as NYU, Yale, Princeton, Harvard, UCSD, Stanford and has taught DJ courses at Jam Master Jay’s The DJ Scratch Academy.

basically I could go on and on with this sista's list of accomplishments and her level of dedication to art and life, but on top of all that she does, she took the time out to answer my questions:::

me: you've done so much! but what was the motivation, in the very beginning that made you want explore DJing?

Kuttin Kandi: My motivation was my love for music that was instilled with my by my late father. He had his own collection of records everything from the Beatles to Aretha to Miles Davis to Jackson 5. It was like it was meant to be when I started meeting other DJ's during my teenage years. And it was definitely meant to happen the minute I put my hands on the turntables. I definitely had been inspired by my fellow crew the 5th Platoon as well as the legendary X-Men (X-Ecutioners) with whom I've had the honor to work alongside with in my battle years.

me: do you still feel the need to practice after doing this for so long with so many accomplishments?

Kuttin Kandi: Yes, I still feel the need to practice. Am I doing that as much as I used to, honestly no. I wish I could spend more time on the lab than I am out there hustling tryin to make a living on giggin. But I'm also back in college, trying to further my academia to help me with my knowledge on the world. Hopefully that same knowledge will contribute to my community organizing and activism. But yes, practicing is important, because as technology advances so does skills in the artform. And we have to keep up with the growing artform. All artforms are never meant to just stay still, they're meant to be fluid and change with the times.

me: what are some of the changes you've witnessed in Hip Hop, specifically the art of DJing since you started?

Kuttin Kandi: There's been a lot of changes in Hip Hop -- politically, musically, technologically. Hip Hop is not linear, it is defined differently to so many different people. However, for me, I believe in the roots of Hip Hop culture and have learned so much from the legends who have started the culture. So, I try to follow on that path. And I notice a lot of routes that Hip Hop has taken, straying from that original path that Hip Hop was once on. The art of DJing itself has evolved over the years to very intricate turntablist skills that are very technical, and very lucrative modern ways of spinnin mp3's via Serato. However there's nothin like the original beat juggling sounds of the battle dj on vinyl. That static from vinyl and that funky beat juggle are sounds you can't deny... that's what makes hip hop.

me: if you could say ANYTHING to young women AND men that are in their bedrooms right now practicing, what would you say to them?

Kuttin Kandi: Study the foundations first... learn the history of Hip Hop. Support Independent artists... and check your privileges (skin privilege, class privilege, race privilege, straight privilege etc..), at that! Realize your access to resources that others may not have...Understand the opportunities you might be given that others may not because of your privileges. Understand what cultural appropriation is... and always give back to Hip Hop culture.

Kuttin Kandi has been interviewed in numerous magazines and newspapers such as Source, Vibe, Vogue, YM, Rolling Stones, the New York Times, the Daily News and the Vibe Hip-Hop Diva’s book. she's received the 2008 FPAC DJ Tribute Award alongside DJ Babu, DJ Rhettmatic and Nasty Nes and in 2009, Kuttin Kandi received the Womanhood Passage Tribute by the Hip Hop-Association. and with all her many projects in the works, well...she's FRESH. period.

so def keep checking for this amazing spirit that's so blesses the art of turntablism! you can follow her on twitter or find her on facebook and support support support Women in Hip Hop!

so til next week, y'all! quick reminder: "She's So Fresh" Showcase is on 11/5!

peaces,

rox

FRESH updates..

so quick little note thing/deal type situation..lol:

so, "She's So Fresh" Showcase II is coming up, it's gonna be really dope! myself and all the sistas and fam involved are getting very excited, and I hope you are also!

for those of you that came through to the last SSF Showcase on 8/6, I thank you and hope to see you at this one! and also, I wanna let you know what some of the sistas from the 1st SSF Showcase are up to:

Eyeris:
she's got a new joint out, "Haters" and you should def check for it and support this sista's efforts and creativity!
http://sharebee.com/81b5f1bb

ControVersy:
will be writing for wesoFRESH.com! so every wednesday, stop by, read her thoughts on life, MCing and HERstory!

Lin Que:
if you check for "She's So Fresh" Fridayz, either here or on The Bloom Blog, then you know that Lin is going hard on this amazing project called We Are the Girl! 9 Woman MC's + 1 singer, all on the same single for only $.99, available on www.wearethegirl.com and ALL proceeds go to the NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation)! so def check out the website and the sistas that rocked the track and support not just Women in Hip Hop but Women in general!

Tiye Phoenix:
has been promoting her album "Half Woman, Half Amazing" and doing Beatminerz radio. she just got back from ATL, performing and participating in a panel discussion for A3C Women in Hip Hop portion of the 3 day festival!

be sure to check for the ladies from the 1st "She's So Fresh" Showcase on twitter to truly stay up to date on all the wonderful, progressive projects they are working on! also, www.roxrevolution.blogspot.com is now wesoFRESH.com and your one stop for all things SSF, so, yo! hope to see you all on 11/5 at Karma Lounge NYC, it's gonna be FRESH, accept no substitutes but always support the sistas, k?!

peaces ALL,

rox

free speech..

yes yes y'all! what it do, it's guess who? yeah, me, back again with a new feature to showcase what the Woman MC can do and is doing! this week we are going across the pond..or rather she's come across the pond to us, at least for a few weeks. FRESH from the UK, I'd for you to meet...

SPEECH DEBELLE.

in the states to promote her debut album "Speech Therapy", this lady definitely has the skills and the drive to make her dreams her reality.

honest and intimate but with wit and rhyme, Speech Debelle is declaring her space.

in 2007 this 26 year old from South London flew to Australia and began laying the framework for what would become Speech Therapy, creating tracks like Daddy’s Little Girl is a scathing attack on an absent father and Working Weak , a funny tale of office life in London while Bad Boy looks unflinchingly but also non-judgmentally at the attitudes and outlooks of the youths Speech grew up knowing.

and so we have Speech Therapy. an offering that is compelling, honest, witty and insightful. this sista's words and spirit be flowing. and it has been greeted by a wealth of critical acclaim and being awarded the internationally renowned Mercury Music Prize.

this young lady got a lot on her mind, a lot to say, and the skills and drive that it takes to make sure we hear it. she's performing at Drom during CMJ with Miz Metro (fellow blogger for The Bloom Blog and all around cool person, :-)) and Terry Poison so if you're in NY definitely stop by and check out how she rocks! and we say shouts out Speech Debelle, keep doin what you doin lady and y'all keep checking for her because she's FRESH.

so til next week good peoples! lots of dope tings agwan! I had a round table discussion today with some more amazing women which should be coming to a website near you soon! and of course I am very excited about the showcase on 11/5 and all the amazing sistas that will be rocking.

and there are so many folks coming together in so many places to support women in Hip Hop, building and coordinating, and it feels good! so shouts out to all the supporters of the art, it's appreciated. y'all have a blessed week! peaces rox

siSTAR, pick up that microphone and find YOUR VOICE!

I remember it all too clear, the day I lost my society influenced conformity and found Self.

An adolescent pining to find purpose, amidst the judgmental glances and scrutiny of those who could not comprehend let alone value the importance of self-discovery.

In the throes of your deepest despair, humiliation and confusion it presented itself to you, vulnerable and emotionally exhausted you reach out to it and then… you let go of the fear and free fall, you give yourself to hip hop and things will never be the same again.

You allow this realm to take over your entire existence, guide you to unpack the true you so that you can elevate, grow and become a WOMAN IN HIP HOP!

Enticed by the hypnotic beats, melodic hooks and rhythm that pulsate through your veins right to the thump of your heartbeat, you discover there’s no other place and space you would rather be in.

Your prior years, you questioned yourself and your path that was set out for you. At times it felt like you would always be an outcast. You made several attempts to fit into a definition that would make it easier for them to label and understand you. THEY were and will never be ready to deal with the pure you because THEY have still not dealt with the REAL them.

Almost EVERY siSTAR, discovered hip hop during the most painful time of her life, an escapism from the harsh reality, a place where the love of an art form could lull you to sleep and dry your tear stained pillow. Hip hop was and is that cushion/padding that breaks your fall when you about to hit rock bottom. What does one do when your body mind and soul is numb with pain? You feverishly seek an outlet to rid yourself from the heaviness in you heart, in my case, I picked up a microphone and let down my guard. A 15 -year dance (hip hop and I), sometimes he would lead, sometimes I would assume I know better, sometimes we were out of step but we never EVER stopped looking into each other eyes while we danced.

Everyone has their vice, escapism or addiction, I found my comfort in thick beats and an instrument that would echo my voice back to me that made me see ME in a different light.

I DISCOVERED MY VOICE, I DISCOVERED THE MICROPHONE.

Follow me on this rigorous journey of trials and tribulation as I speak into the mic and let out deep-seated pain that has been brewing from within. Jayz mentioned that he could make a song cry, but the intensity of a woman in pain blowing on a microphone surpasses the hurt any brother could experience. Rhyming is the child I yearn for, the husband I’m yet to find and the mother who never did feel I was good enough to be her daughter. Rhyming is my life without it I have no purpose here on planet earth.

A siSTAR, unbeknown to her, can formulate more concepts because of the various roles she has to play in everyday life; we can spit for days and never run out of subject matter.

We keep telling ourselves (and each other) that we are the minority in hip hop but if so many beings lie within one of us that makes us the majority so don’t be fooled by numbers, quality and not quantity is where it’s at! So…take my hand and walk with Africa’s daughter as we travel down the road of becoming a siSTAR with a mic.

On the Ep of my life journey, this is but a skit, now if you will excuse me a siSTAR IS about to rock the mic. “Versy heads to stage” by Contro Versy

We Are the Girl.

what's good good people! and I'm back! this week is personal for me. I recently had the privilege of being included in a project that was spearheaded by Lin Que called We Are the Girl. it is historical. consisting of 9, that's right 9 Woman MC's and 1 singer, it is a throwback to the "posse cut". but all new, up to date, hot

and...

wait for it...

FRESH!

so some months back, I featured Lin Que for "She's So Fresh" Fridayz, and in the process of our conversation we realized our shared frustration and disappointment about the state of women in Hip Hop and with what has become our place in this art. and she said something that stayed with me, she said "we went from holding mics to holding poles." whoa. werd. and she would know, she was there when sistas held mics, crushed mics, and were respected as equals in Hip Hop.

WARNING, classic Hip Hop below:

and from that conversation, We Are the Girl was born into a reality. after suggesting some Woman MC's I know: Knewdles, Mala Reignz, Toni Blackman, Lin made some calls to some sistas she knew, Rachel Walker, J-Boo and Paula Perry. Tiye Phoenix was a no brainer because she's so dope, and Alana came to We Are the Girl via Shareef Islam of Aztechnique Studios, and it was on and poppin!

I quote:

"The ‘We Are the Girl Movement’ makes history with its first release, “Suga-Coated.” For the first time since the inception of Hip Hop, nine female emcees assault the microphone without any help from their male counterparts. “Suga-Coated” features True School Veterans who have been in the game for quite some time, Underground Royalty as well as Up-and-Coming Talent who are eager to claim their spot in this male-dominated industry. One has no choice but to succumb to the incredible skill and energy exuding from this track. Whoever said, “Female Emcee’s can’t hold their own” obviously hasn’t had the pleasure of sampling the skills portrayed on this banger. In addition to the genuine talent of Mala Reignz, Knewdles, Bless Roxwell, Lin Que, Alana, Paula Perry, Toni Blackman, J-Boo & Tiye Phoenix, is the sultry voice of newcomer Rachel Walker. “Suga-Coated” displays the undeniable talent of women of many ethnicities and cultures.

‘We Are the Girl’ aka WAG was formed to give women in Hip Hop a platform to ‘Follow their Dreams’ and make careers out of what they love doing most. It seems as though women have not been given a fair share within the Hip Hop community. It’s time. We must claim our voice. We must claim our seat at the throne and be the ‘True Queens’ that we were born to be.

‘We Are the Girl’ believes in giving back to the community. All the proceeds from the download of “Suga-Coated” are going to one of the most highly visible and recognized breast cancer charities in America, NBCF. “Suga-Coated” was officially released on October 1st, 2009… just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although October is designated for Breast Cancer Awareness, we all know that it is a day-to-day issue that needs our support. Support Women… Save the Hip Hop Culture… Heal the World."

the song is a single, available for only $.99, via the We Are the Girl website! this is a project I am so proud to be apart of, and I am so proud my sista, Lin Que, for taking the initiative to make this happen. from creating and designing www.wearethegirl.com (y'all ain't know right?) to ensuring that this effort supports an issue so important to ALL women, breast cancer research and awareness, this is a project I believe in and it will continue to have all of my support, and I hope yours also.

now, I know the answers to all the questions below but I wanted to make sure Lin Que had the opportunity to tell you about it in her own voice:

me: what was your motivation in doing We Are the Girl?

Lin Que: Being that I have been in the business for a while now and have witnessed firsthand the fall of the Female Emcee, I have always wanted to create something that would help unify the sisterhood in Hip Hop. It seems as though we are all scattered all over the place and if we would join forces, we could really make something positive happen. One night I was being interviewed by Bless Roxwell and we started talking about 'female emcees.' I expressed to her an idea I had regarding creating a track with a lot of female emcees on it and having all the proceeds from the download go to a women's charity like for breast cancer. Bless showed her interest and also decided to help. The rest is history.

me: what is your vision for We Are the Girl?

Lin Que: It's a platform to help support women on the 'professional stage' as well as the 'world stage.' It is a unified force for women that will hopefully join forces with other like organizations so that we can take this "Women's Movement" worldwide and to the next level. This needs to be global.

me: folks always want to say that sistas can't get along. did you encounter any sort issue with the women on this project? egos, etc..

Lin Que: I think that this project has already created for me a sense sisterhood and unity. We all have to learn how to get along with each other whether we are male or female, young or old, catholic, muslim, or jewish... it doesn't matter. This project for the most part ran very smoothly... and that's saying a lot because there are 10 different artist on this track. So as far as "Sistas don't get along"... I think that's just to keep us separate from each other. One woman alone is powerful... ten women might just change the world... lol.

me: what can people expect from We Are the Girl in the future?

Lin Que: Strong Women, Good Music, Peace, Love, & Healing... We are paving a path for ourselves. We are no longer waiting for someone to do it for us. We are taking control of our own destiny.

so there you have it folks! support We Are the Girl, and by default you will be supporting Women in Hip Hop and women in general! and we thank you.

on another note: the next "She's So Fresh" Showcase will be on 11/5, and the line up is SO FRESH!

doors open: 9p

showtime: 10p

damage: $7

I hope to see you all there!

don't MISS out..

peace all! hello again, another week, another female to tell y'all about that's rippin mics! so much for all the where are all the female MC's questions, which btw..annoy the h*ll me..lol! because every week I write about them, and I rock shows with them, and build with them. so ENUFF. from this point forward, no excuses. if you don't know, find out. and while you're finding out, check out this one:

shouts out to all my folks in Chi-Town because she's one of your own! earning the name “Hip Hop” in high school, NeMISS has gone on to be honored as one of 300 international young women by the official New York’s Hip Hop Association. she has since toured with Hip Hop legend Dres of Black Sheep and opened for The Roots and Common, rocking everywhere from BB King's, NYC to House of Blues, Chicago to touring Latin America and Europe as a vocalist and dancer with Purelements.

The Song "Doin It", off the 2007 release of Subatomic Sound System "On All Frequencies" on which she was the co-writer and feature for such works as "NO Static" and "Doin It", was picked up by A&E Network and appeared on the syndicated show Dog the Bounty Hunter. Dog The Bounty Hunter | Crime Don't Pay | A&E Network | Subatomic Sound System

The pre-cursor to the "On All Frequencies" project was the 2005 NeMISS release of the Bottomline EP, which got her noticed by Okayplayer, AllHipHop.com, and other urban label interests, including Asylum Records.

this past summer NeMISS introduced herself to NY Hip Hop Community that didn't already know by rocking Lyricist Lounge, hosted by Jeru the Damaja and including performances by A-Alikes, Eternia, Duo Live and more, AND crushed Sputnik in Brooklyn in early September with MC Lyte, Jean Grae, Eternia, True Daley and Collette. She's also currently working with Daru Jones, Chris Rob, producer Richard Jame Goose (producer of Menya and Nyle Emmerson) on a mixtape and promoting her newest latest, Turn It Up.

so this sista on her grind took some time out to answer the few questions I had for her:

me: as a creative spirit what inspires you to write rhymes?

NeMISS: I like being able to play on words rhythmically, paint a picture when I write a rhyme, playwright when I write a rhyme and so create a scene for my audience when I write a rhyme. Such as life .... it is full of characters and actors and drama, tragedy, triumph and war and love and so thats the inspiration.... I aspire to be that woman that Stevie Wonder talked about in"Rocket Love" when he said "A female Shakespeare of her time, with looks to blow Picasso's mind" I mean if looks blew Picasso's that means that she wasn't pretty. That means she was complex and abstract and intresting.... the art God created within the journey of life has inspired me to reflect that; it inspires me to write rhymes about relationships, love and the message that God wants me to give to the masses.

me: in your opinion, have you ever felt any sort of discrimination b/c you're female? in other countries you've traveled to?

NeMISS: My travels to Europe and Latin America were brief in scope and no I never felt discrimination, if anything those experiences were at most professional. I think in El Salvdor I was exoticized, there are very few black people in San Salvador the capital so I would walk in their mall and they would ogle, but the people were warm, I mean really warm. I have never encountered such a warm people. Its a country that deported or expedited all the black people in the early twentieth century. From that stay it was hard to tell. The rap game in the states however is the opposite, Ive encountered sexism on every level almost 75% of the time when dealing with men in the rap game but I wanna give the brothas and my vanilla brother too a break, I have met some good men doing what I do as well. I don't like to focus on that, so much now I just want work on what I can do to break the barrier, and that is to continue to step my game up as an artist to be the best artist that I can be. Its like Racism, it will always be there...the struggle continues.

Nemiss at the Lyricist Lounge

me: what would you say or what advice would you give to other young women that want to do what it is we do?

NeMISS: A couple years back I rocked SOB's sharing the bill with Jean Grae for this show. I was psyched like Jean Grae! so I go up to her and I'm like i just wanna say respect, I love your flow, rah rah rah sis boom ba but less like a cheer leader groupy and more like a colleague, she just kinda accepted the love and rubbed me on my back...I knew what it meant then vaguely... but now fast forward three years later and I know exactly what it means...she was kinda saying you don't know what you getting into yet...and I didn't this shit is a beast its taking everything materially, spiritually and its all on the altar, the sacrifice. it means you really gotta love this what you do, its an uphill battle and no body is givin handouts. My advice to any young woman trying to do this and what I've learned is plant your seeds and keep it moving don't wait on Nobody, if I can be frank especially do not wait on a man....I repeat do, not, wait, on, a, man, to do anything for you! there are brothers out there willing to help and I give them much much props but be very careful. If you don't know the business LEARN! Also the business can be and usually is very personal, very, very personal. How you gel with someone means everything. Don't burn bridges and if for some reason you do keep it movin. Most importantly treat your career seriously, make goals short term and long. Even if you have one, pretend like you don't have a manager...I repeat PRETEND LIKE YOU DON"T HAVE A MANAGER or else they will be a crutch...nobody has your interest at heart like you and if for some reason they slip and you are not on point you will slip. Ask yourself not what what other people can do for you, nobody can do this alone, but go the extra mile with what you can do for yourself. Fight insecurity and fear and stay disciplined in your craft...there's more but tha'ts the gist...Oh yeah accept where you're at don't beat yourself up and still aspire to be greater than you were yesterday. Where you're at is where you are supposed to be and so what you have accomplished so far. Yeah.

me: what do you want to be remembered for?

NeMISS: This question is heavy. Its heavy because it makes me think about myself as finite and mortal...so thinkin about the end, but yet the legacy that's infinite. Honestly all I can tell you is the thing that leaves the impression on people while I'm here is my ability to captivate one person. When I rock I speak to one person and move the whole. My life relationships with people in my real life situation...is funny, I mean impersonal, sometimes to people that mean the most to me, I don't always let them in, if you have seen all the facets of me, you are someone that I trust wholeheartedly and I can probably count those people on half of-a-hand, but when I expose myself to the audience I try to create a personal relationship when I'm on stage. I wanna leave a legacy of touching individuals and allowing them to touch me through our sharing of the human experience.

dope. that's what it is. just dope. and if you wanna see and experience that connection and you're in NYC, NeMISS is one of the incredible women who will be rockin the She's So Fresh Showcase on November 5th, along with many more incredible sistas in Hip Hop!

now I have to take a moment to shout out all the peeps that are in ATL this weekend for the A3C Hip Hop Festival! especially because of the all day event: Women in Hip Hop that's featuring daytime activities from noon – 9 p.m. that are free, open to all ages and include youth workshops, panel discussions with: Professor Griff of Public Enemy on misogyny in Hip Hop, Women in Hip Hop Business with Stacey Epps, Tiye Phoenix and more; and a screening of the film "All the Ladies Say"! and we haven't even gotten to the performances! it's gonna be FRESH! so if you're in Atlanta this weekend, support Hip Hop support independent Hip Hop, and definitely support Women in Hip Hop!

so til next week folks! everyone have a blessed and safe one!

peaceandblessings

rox