peace all!
so this week we are traveling to the west coast to shout out:
MIKI VALE.
her sound is one part Hip Hop, one part old soul, two parts evolved artist and revolutionary MC, and this sista spits! being a disciple of the "Golden Age" of Hip Hop, the Oxnard, CA native, now residing in San Diego, has shared stages with incredible artists from Slick Rick, Mos Def, Bahamadia, to Too $hort, Mystic (who was our very "She's So Fresh" Friday btw!), Souls of Mischief, The Roots, not to mention DJ Quik, Blu, Planet Asia and more.
since her older brother, Zoltan was a DJ who made Hip Hop mix tapes, his vast record collection and mix tapes ignited in Miki Vale a passion for the art, hearing artists like MC Lyte, Special Ed, Gangstarr, Nice & Smooth, and Public Enemy. expanding on her passion for Hip Hop and writing, she has run the gamut from magazine writer and artist publicist to concert promoter. “I’ve always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes. Being a successful artist is more than meets the eye. As a writer, I had the opportunity to interview major and independent artists and learned the ins and outs of the industry from an artist perspective.”
she has since collaborated with the talents of OHNO, Dudley Perkins aka Declaime, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kankick, Oddisee, S1 of Strange Fruit Project and is apart of Sleeping Giant Music (SGM), founded by fellow artist, Blest. and in 2007, Miki Vale was selected by the editors of Billboard Magazine from over 3000 artists as one of six finalists to perform at Disc Maker’s Independent Music World Series Showcase and was also nominated for a San Diego Music Award for Best Hip Hop Artist in 2007 and 2008.
she answered a few questions for me:
me: list 3 things that keep you in love with Hip Hop.
Miki Vale: In all my years of living and loving Hip Hop, there have only been a few times when that bond was tested. Each time there was something that pulled me back in and made me appreciate it even more. One of the things that keeps me in love with Hip Hop is that it's ever-changing. It never gets old. There's always a new unique sounding beat or a clever way that someone puts their words together that keeps me inspired and looking forward to more. Hip Hop also evokes a lot of different thoughts and emotions. It covers any and all subject matters so there's always something to relate to. Also, Hip Hop has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember so the familiarity keeps my love going. It's like having a best friend since elementary shool. You guys will have ups and downs and maybe even grow in different directions at times but that person will also be a part of you, a part of your growth process. That's what Hip Hop has been for me. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the first time I heard a certain song, and how it made me feel. That is powerful.
me: have you ever faced discrimination, that you were aware of and felt it was because you're female?
Miki Vale: My experience has been very positive for the most part. In most instances, once people hear me spit or see me perform, they are very welcoming. However, there was a time when this male emcee let me know that he didn't believe that women should rap and that he felt we are not as dedicated to art as males are and that no one really wants to hear what we have to talk about. He was dead serious. I told him he was entitled to his opinion, though I didn't agree. People like that just make me work harder and smarter, it's not a big deal. I do believe that Hip Hop is primarily a boys club but I really don't allow myself to be affected by that. I just keep doing what I enjoy doing and everything falls into place.
me: who inspires you?
Miki Vale: I'm inspired by so many people. I'm most inspired by people who allow themselves to be a vessel and don't try to conform just to sell records or "blow up". I believe that everyone has a unique path that they are born to follow and that is reflected in their art. Making honest music from the heart is a beautiful thing to me and it inspires me to keep doing the same.
me: describe your most memorable stage performance.
Miki Vale: One of my most memorable stage performances was few years ago at 12 Galleries in San Francisco. It was my first time performing in The Bay. It was for this contest that I was a finalist in and I was the only Hip Hop act. The place was crazy packed and when I performed the energy was surreal. It was like I was on auto-pilot and not even in control of my actions. That tends to happen a lot when I perform but this time was different because the crowd was amazing and my DJ and I were completely in tune with each other. I think I could've done a stage dive that night, haha! The Bay is great, I always have the best time when I perform there.
She's currently working on her newest project "UnValed", and you can download her single Love for free! so keep checking for Miki Vale y'all! and for all of you who check in every week you are appreciated! thank you and please continue to support "She's So Fresh" because we have some really dope things planned in 2010, starting with "She's So Fresh" Showcase III, the 3rd installment of our showcase series highlighting Women MC's. it's going down on 2.4.2010 so save the date!
now before I say peace I have to say something about what took place this week. I write with a heavy heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost family and who still don't know what is the status of their family. I can't fathom what it you're dealing with. please stay strong and we will be sending you love and light. for those not affected, please go to www.yele.org to find out more about how you can donate money, food or other supplies that may be needed or go to Doctors Without Borders to support the medical professionals volunteering their time and expertise to those in need. thank you in advance. and thank you to our "She's So Fresh" Sista TastyKeish for the links and information, as well as all those supporting her, her family and all families that have been affected.
peaceandblessings
rox.
her sound is one part Hip Hop, one part old soul, two parts evolved artist and revolutionary MC, and this sista spits! being a disciple of the "Golden Age" of Hip Hop, the Oxnard, CA native, now residing in San Diego, has shared stages with incredible artists from Slick Rick, Mos Def, Bahamadia, to Too $hort, Mystic (who was our very "She's So Fresh" Friday btw!), Souls of Mischief, The Roots, not to mention DJ Quik, Blu, Planet Asia and more.
since her older brother, Zoltan was a DJ who made Hip Hop mix tapes, his vast record collection and mix tapes ignited in Miki Vale a passion for the art, hearing artists like MC Lyte, Special Ed, Gangstarr, Nice & Smooth, and Public Enemy. expanding on her passion for Hip Hop and writing, she has run the gamut from magazine writer and artist publicist to concert promoter. “I’ve always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes. Being a successful artist is more than meets the eye. As a writer, I had the opportunity to interview major and independent artists and learned the ins and outs of the industry from an artist perspective.”
she has since collaborated with the talents of OHNO, Dudley Perkins aka Declaime, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kankick, Oddisee, S1 of Strange Fruit Project and is apart of Sleeping Giant Music (SGM), founded by fellow artist, Blest. and in 2007, Miki Vale was selected by the editors of Billboard Magazine from over 3000 artists as one of six finalists to perform at Disc Maker’s Independent Music World Series Showcase and was also nominated for a San Diego Music Award for Best Hip Hop Artist in 2007 and 2008.
she answered a few questions for me:
me: list 3 things that keep you in love with Hip Hop.
Miki Vale: In all my years of living and loving Hip Hop, there have only been a few times when that bond was tested. Each time there was something that pulled me back in and made me appreciate it even more. One of the things that keeps me in love with Hip Hop is that it's ever-changing. It never gets old. There's always a new unique sounding beat or a clever way that someone puts their words together that keeps me inspired and looking forward to more. Hip Hop also evokes a lot of different thoughts and emotions. It covers any and all subject matters so there's always something to relate to. Also, Hip Hop has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember so the familiarity keeps my love going. It's like having a best friend since elementary shool. You guys will have ups and downs and maybe even grow in different directions at times but that person will also be a part of you, a part of your growth process. That's what Hip Hop has been for me. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the first time I heard a certain song, and how it made me feel. That is powerful.
me: have you ever faced discrimination, that you were aware of and felt it was because you're female?
Miki Vale: My experience has been very positive for the most part. In most instances, once people hear me spit or see me perform, they are very welcoming. However, there was a time when this male emcee let me know that he didn't believe that women should rap and that he felt we are not as dedicated to art as males are and that no one really wants to hear what we have to talk about. He was dead serious. I told him he was entitled to his opinion, though I didn't agree. People like that just make me work harder and smarter, it's not a big deal. I do believe that Hip Hop is primarily a boys club but I really don't allow myself to be affected by that. I just keep doing what I enjoy doing and everything falls into place.
me: who inspires you?
Miki Vale: I'm inspired by so many people. I'm most inspired by people who allow themselves to be a vessel and don't try to conform just to sell records or "blow up". I believe that everyone has a unique path that they are born to follow and that is reflected in their art. Making honest music from the heart is a beautiful thing to me and it inspires me to keep doing the same.
me: describe your most memorable stage performance.
Miki Vale: One of my most memorable stage performances was few years ago at 12 Galleries in San Francisco. It was my first time performing in The Bay. It was for this contest that I was a finalist in and I was the only Hip Hop act. The place was crazy packed and when I performed the energy was surreal. It was like I was on auto-pilot and not even in control of my actions. That tends to happen a lot when I perform but this time was different because the crowd was amazing and my DJ and I were completely in tune with each other. I think I could've done a stage dive that night, haha! The Bay is great, I always have the best time when I perform there.
She's currently working on her newest project "UnValed", and you can download her single Love for free! so keep checking for Miki Vale y'all! and for all of you who check in every week you are appreciated! thank you and please continue to support "She's So Fresh" because we have some really dope things planned in 2010, starting with "She's So Fresh" Showcase III, the 3rd installment of our showcase series highlighting Women MC's. it's going down on 2.4.2010 so save the date!
now before I say peace I have to say something about what took place this week. I write with a heavy heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost family and who still don't know what is the status of their family. I can't fathom what it you're dealing with. please stay strong and we will be sending you love and light. for those not affected, please go to www.yele.org to find out more about how you can donate money, food or other supplies that may be needed or go to Doctors Without Borders to support the medical professionals volunteering their time and expertise to those in need. thank you in advance. and thank you to our "She's So Fresh" Sista TastyKeish for the links and information, as well as all those supporting her, her family and all families that have been affected.
peaceandblessings
rox.
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