when it REIGNZ...

peace all! we're back with another dope Woman MC this week for "She's So Fresh" Fridays..and this week, we hitting the BX, born and bred..(for those who don't know, smh, shame on you, that means the Bronx!)

anyhoo, y'all say wassup to:

MALA REIGNZ.

best known for her complicated rapping style, punchlines and larger than life presence on and off stage, considering she's just little bit, her skills have expanded her horizons and it's still only the beginning. her debut music video "BX TIL I DIE" was picked up by Music Choice and aired nationally as the first unsigned artist to be featured on the channel at that time. soon added to the legendary VIDEO MUSIC BOX by Ralph McDaniels, she's caught shine on www.Latinrapper.com, www.Allhiphop.com as the winner of best original song in the producer beat melee #10, www.URB.com/next1000 just to name a few.

she's graced Ali Vegas' Mixtape "Leader of the New School", hosted by Statik Selektah and makes a cameo in Vegas' new video "That's Nothin", produced by Scott Storch and shot in Miami, Florida. her talent was recognized by the legendary Rocksteady Crew and she was asked to perform at their 31st year anniversary concert along with the likes of KRS-1, FAT JOE, DJ PREMIER, BAHAMADIA, ICE-T and more.

Mala's first mixtape, MISS RAP SUPREME, was innovative and different and NOT your ordinary mixtape and as a result was embraced by fans and critics. based on the VH1 female rapper show, she completed the exact same challenges as the contestants, even the elimination rounds. Each song was preceded with samples of MC Serch and YoYo instructing the girls on what to do for their next challenge.

since then, a sista is in demand. consistently performing and appearing on mixtapes both nationally and internationally she featured on The Pink Carpet Mixtape hosted by DJ VLAD with other notable artists include MC Lyte, Lady Luck, Jackie-O and OJ The Juiceman. She's rocked in the most recent DIGIWAXX All Female Cypher hosted by MC Lyte which received thousands of views online.

of course I had some questions for this sista that is causing waves in this industry and making head's sit up and take notice:

me: what made you decide to express yourself through the art of Hip Hop and Rhyming?

Mala Reignz: I started off as a poet in college...mostly writing about personal things I was going through in my life. I'd write late at night, with the radio playing in the background and never really noticed I was writing to the beats. All of my poetry rhymed anyway so when i performed, it sounded as if i was rapping. People began telling me I should just start rapping, so I did.

me: have you ever felt discriminated against because you're female?

Mala Reignz: Plenty of times. It comes with the territory. There are still people who think women have no place in Hip-Hop other than to be in videos or to sing R&B. They feel Rap is a man's game and that female MCs don't measure up lyrically to men. Often times artist managers and labels shy away from taking on a female rapper as a client because they feel like a female rapper won't be able to sell records like men do. This is all bullshit. I feel women have to work harder to prove themselves in this game. Its a lot more complicated for women because theres a very fine line between being too hardcore and too sex driven. In order to be respected by both men and women, we have be so careful about our marketing, lyrics, content etc. A woman is judged so harshly not just over her music but over her appearance. If she's too sexy then she's considered a hoe who doesn't write her own material and if she's hardcore she's considered gay and phony. if she's not a picture perfect image with a flat stomach, big breasts and a fat ass then she will be torn down or worse never get a record deal.

me: what have been some of your most difficult obstacles to overcome?

Mala Reignz: The most difficult obstacle has been to be consistent with limited resources. It's very expensive to release projects. Studio time, mixing and mastering, photo shoots, graphic design, cd duplication all can run up your bank account. When you're trying to pay rent and take care of your family its hard to balance both. Of course, your priority is your family and rent and sometimes your passion for music takes a back seat. I've had to push myself to stay motivated, inspired and hungry despite real life obstacles. I've learned to be resourceful and cut corners while maintaining the quality of my music. I am definitely a multi-tasker.

me: what inspires you?

Mala Reignz: The prospect of a better life for my family inspires me. Knowing that once I blow up, I will be able to pursue all the business ventures I've been planning in my mind. I'm inspired by great music, life experience and kick ass beats.

me: any words of wisdom for young sistas out here that are looking to do what you do?

Mala Reignz: Don't be afraid to be yourself. Don't let them tell you who you're supposed to be. Go hard (whatever that means to you) or go home. Take your craft and your career seriously and be responsible for your own success. Never give up on your dream and most importantly, devise a plan and stick with that plan. Good luck!

and this brings us to today, literally. we are being blessed with this sista's first EP, CALM BEFORE THE STORM available exclusively on www.bandwagonmobile.com where it will stream in full to all mp3 enabled cellular phones worldwide. and it's only the prelude to the full album to come, THE PERFECT STORM.

so, check for Mala Reignz y'all, because she's putting in work and that's why "She's So Fresh"!

and don't forget:

it's going down on February 4, 2010!

"She's So Fresh" Showcase is back with our 3rd installment of FRESH!

AND

we are going to be celebrating Invincible's Bearthday!!

featuring performances by:

Mala Reignz

Dante

GNU

True Daley

Bless Roxwell

and

Anomolies

Hosted by: TastyKeish

Music by: DJ Mocha Sunflower

Special Guest Performances!

Cupcakes and Gift Bags!

Doors: 9:30p

Showtime: 10:30p

Damage: $8

Special Thanks to all of our Sponsors:

The Elan Group

Stilettos and Sounds

The Bside Show

JBrewer Photography

Spicey Promotions

Fusicolgy

Digiwaxx

DeVaNy

Fighting For Futures

The Bloom Effect

Bucktown USA

Game Night Club

we are supporting Women in Hip Hop and Urban Arts and we'll also be collecting donations for:

Haiti Relief

Fighting For Futures

Detroit Summer

Palestine Education Project

The Mobile Homecoming

your continued support is always appreciated so we'll see you there!

♥

and Hip Hop goes Lah Lah Lah..

peace everybody!!!

this week has been so amazing and bittersweet. watching so many dope artists come together to make music and raise money for ongoing relief efforts in Haiti inspired me so much! it inspired me to want to profile someone that is one the most committed people I've had the pleasure to get to know in this art of Hip Hop. she is all about justice and family, love and strength and kindness, but catch her on the mic and it's over. her passion for giving a voice to those that may not be able to speak for themselves is what drives her and her group, Rebel Diaz. She uses Hip Hop as her weapon to speak against injustices in Black and Latino communities. communities like the South Bronx, where she, along with fellow group members Rodstarz and G1, reside and build.

so if you don't know, allow me to introduce you to..

LAH TERE

hailing from Chicago’s historic Puerto Rican community of Humboldt Park aka Paseo Boricua, Lah Tere has traveled the world as both an artist and an educator conducting Hip Hop and Empowerment workshops and performing at universities, colleges and conferences in addition to running a community arts center in the South Bronx with Rebel Diaz, The Rebel Diaz Arts Collective.

having shared stages with such artists as Chuck D, KRS ONE, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, EPMD, Rage Against the Machine, Styles P, Jadakiss, Immortal Technique, Naughty By Nature, and Mia X, Lah Tere and Rebel Diaz are making their voices heard for sure!

whether rocking at The Battle of the East B-boy Competition in Leipzig, Germany or the Barcelona Latino Festival sponsored by the Latin Kings and Queens Association in Spain or at The Rebel Diaz Arts Collective supporting Women in Hip Hop with her "Pearls of Wisdom" performance series, Lah Tere is holding it down for sistas in serous way!

In 2007 she co-founded Momma's Hip Hop Kitchen (MHHK) with Kathleen Adams, as a response to the commercialism of Hip Hop by corporate America. As women of color, and sistas after my own heart, they believed and felt compelled to do their part to combat the materialism, sexism, and misogyny in Hip Hop. they have chosen to confront this issue head on and re-establish what it means to be a woman in the culture of Hip Hop.

as a multifaceted Hip Hop event designed to showcase women artists, especially women of color, Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen for the Hip Hop Soul, is not only about performances but also serves as a social justice community-organizing platform that educates and empowers women of color on issues that impact their lives, including HIV/AIDS and reproductive justice. I told y'all the sista's serious.

On March 7, 2009 the second annual MHHK Vol. 2, Faith Feminism, and Hip Hop took place at Hostos Community College’s Main Theater in the South Bronx and I was honored to have the chance to perform for the over 1,000 people that came out to support MHHK, Vol. 2. and with Vol. 3 slated to jump off March 6, 2010, this is labor of love that will only continue to blossom!

now, this post is unique because it WILL be updated! why? because I firmly believe that you need to hear from this woman in her own words. as she is preparing right now for a new "Pearls of Wisdom" event and a trip to Santiago, Chile to perform at Promo Planeta Rock 2010 Hip Hop Festival, we did not get the answers by post time. so I will be adding my interview with Lah Tere, however, I am not mad at a sista's grind, feel me?

I adore this woman's energy, conviction and commitment! so make sure y'all stay up on on all things Rebel Diaz and Momma's Hip Hop Kitchen and continue to support their efforts and movement!

now, if you're in NYC this weekend, there are fundraisers to be attended! I am hosting one tomorrow night at Lab 24/7!

there's only one more thing before I roll out: we're baaaaack b/c it's that time again!

if you're in NYC, you got to be in the place to be and that's gonna be at "She's So Fresh" Showcase III celebrating Invincible's Bearthday and Women in Hip Hop and Urban Arts! so, will we see you there?! hope so, til next week, laters!

rox

lifting the Vale...

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.

and this how she Larok...

what's good folks!

happy 2010! I hope everyone is as excited about their 2010 as I am! there's so much movement and people are doing so many things, mobilizing on so many different fronts to support artists and good music, me thinks good things are on the horizon for this art form we all love so much, Hip Hop! and so many sistas in so many different places are carving out their place this story of Hip Hop and so this week we go to Boston, Massachusetts (shouts to the Bean!! btw, that's the hometown) and we bring you...

LETIA LAROK.

this vocalist, MC and songwriter has opened up for Kool G Rap, Slum Village, Keysha Cole, Rakim, Cormega, Boot Camp Click, Dead Prez and more. she possesses two New England Urban Music Awards for "Best Female Rap Artist of the Year" and two Mass Industry Committee Hip Hop Awards for "Best Female Artist of the Year".

word.

born in "The Bean" Boston, MA, Roxbury to be specific, and later in Chelsea, MA, Letia Larok has lived and learned, overcome obstacles and her music speaks to her honesty, sincerity and most importantly her soul. a competition won in 2002 held by Boston's own Free for the Free4life Foundation caught the eyes and ears of B.E.T. producer and founder of Freestyle Friday. Letia Larok spent four weeks as reigning champion on B.E.T.'s 106 and Park and she has since appeared on UPN's Showtime At The Apollo and been nominated for The Boston Pheonix's "Best Music Poll", as well as a nomination for a Boston Music Award for "Outstanding Rap/Hip Hop Act of the Year".

her debut album "Letia Larok...As Is" has been buzzing since it's release with songs like "Misunderstood", "Triple Threat", and "Get Down!" and having been recently featured on UK producer Endemic's "Terminal Illness" album along with artists Sean Price, Killa Priest, Planet Asia, Timbo King and more, you can expect to hear far more from this lady in the near future. she's currently wrapping up her second solo project, collaborating with reggae band Dis-n-Dat and burning down stages in your area..and that's why She's So Fresh!

I asked this busy young lady a few quick questions:

me: what made you decide to rhyme?

Letia Larok: It was never really a decision, I believe some gifts are already within us, they're just awaiting its discovery. So it was always there, I'm just happy it didn't go undiscovered! lol Singing was always my first love, rhyming however manifested through writing poetry that later transformed into emceeing.

me: how do you want people to feel when they hear your music?

Letia Larok: Everything I felt when I wrote the song...the cry, the message, the heart and true inspiration through each!

me: what would you be doing if you weren't doing music?

Letia Larok: Working with kids, probably teaching :-)

me: and since this is the first profile of 2010, what are your plans for this year and beyond?

Letia Larok: Whatever God has in store since he's the one who's really calling all the shots! lol

I know dats' right! so y'all keep checking for Letia Larok, follow her on twitter to stay up on what she's doing this year and beyond because it seems like she's going to be around for a long time y'all!

so we'll be back next week! or maybe in between, you never do know so you're just gonna have keep checking back! there's lots of exciting things going on for 2010 and even more planned so stay up stay strong and stay positive, good people! we'll be back soon!

peaces

rox

magic Number Nine.

so unbeknownst to most of you I have an assistant. she's is a miracle of a human being, I adore her and I'm not sure if the last showcase on 11/5 would have happened without her help.

she is part of a growing number of young people in this country that belong to a special group..

check out her story:

Sonia's Story

if you're in NY, I wanted to give you all the head's up to support her tomorrow by tuning into channel 75, CUNY TV at 8pm. this is an issue that for obvious reasons is close to my heart and this whole "She's So Fresh" movement is bigger than Hip Hop, always has been. so tune in, check out the Nine Magic Numbers website, or shout out Sonia on twitter: @theSoniaG and let her know you support her, all the other young people like her, and the movement!

peaces,

rox

HAPPY 2010!!!!

peace and waddup!!!

hey all, hope you had a wonderful and blessed holiday season because guess what?! IT'S 2010! that's right, new year, new decade (depending on who you ask..lol, but that's another post) and we are kicking the new year off with a continued support of my sistas in this art called Hip Hop!

"She's So Fresh" Fridays will be back this friday, January 8, 2010 and we are gearing up for the 3rd installment of our performance series, "She's So Fresh" Showcase III on February 4, 2010!

so this is just a quick post to bring you up to speed on what's going on, what's going to be going on

AND to let you know about...drum roll please:::::

LIN QUE'S NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR HER SONG:

"Nothing's Changed"

so enjoy! I'll be back soon with all manner of dope ish from my sistas in this movement, so stay tuned, k?!

peaces,

rox