Author: madamerap-admin

Léo, a 21-year-old independent artist from Metz, released his first rap single last July. The track, entitled “COBRA”, tackles the issue of homosexuality in French rap and denounces the LGBTphobic harassment the young content creator has experienced. Léo told us about his relationship with rap, his role models, and his artistic identity.

When and how did you start making music?

I started making music at the age of 9, when I posted my first cover on YouTube. I’ve always wanted to share my passion publicly on the Internet. When I was 12, I started singing lessons and concerts, and I immediately liked it. I then did choir for 3 years, and in 2020, during lockdown, I decided to release my first single “Réseaux”. And today I’m back with my new track “COBRA”, which is my 7th single.

Did you have any role models growing up?

I grew up listening to artists like Diam’s, Miley Cyrus, and even Tal. I was really inspired by artists who convey a strong message through their songs. Messages about society, benevolence and, above all, tolerance. This also helped me to assert myself and become the person I am today.

Why did you decide to start rapping?

I decided to get into rap on a whim. I watched the first season of Nouvelle École, and at the end of the last episode I challenged myself to do a freestyle in an hour. That’s how I made the single “COBRA”, and I’m really proud of it.

At first, it was just an idea between me and myself, but when I listened to it again, I said to myself “there’s something there“. And when I posted an extract on my social networks, people were shocked and they flooded me with messages to encourage me to release it.

What inspired your single “Cobra”?

It’s a song in which I talk about the place of homosexuality in rap, and more specifically in French rap. The subject is ultra-taboo subject and very unpopular in the industry. Most rappers even use homosexuality as an insult in their songs. I simply said to myself “why not me? Just because I like boys doesn’t mean I can’t be as good as your rappers“. So I went for it.

Lil Nas X has inspired me a lot over the last few years, and I really like the fact that he mixes the”gang rap” side with a “more feminine” side. It’s an aesthetic that I find particularly interesting and that I really enjoy.

How and with whom did you work on this project?

I worked with several people on this project. First of all, with beatmakers for the production, the photographer Hugot Michael who shot the cover and the visuals for the single, the graphic designer Ovthex and the director Victor for my video.

As for the recording and composition, I did it all myself. I like things to be spontaneous and to come from me.

What feedback did you get from your community and the public?

People were very surprised when the track was released. I got thousands of feedback, especially on TikTok. People were amazed at the way I brought it out in the video. I rap, but at the same time you see me wearing make-up and ultra-sexy outfits.

And it’s really this “double-personality”, which is part of my daily life, that I wanted to emphasize. I’ve had nothing but good feedback, a few haters as with every release, but very few.

How would you describe your music and your artistic identity?

I think my music speaks for itself. I talk about everyday life and social issues that most people can relate to. I talk a lot about love, men, my background and the harassment I’ve experienced since I was a child, and I show that all this has enabled me to assert myself today.

So today, I thank my haters, because even though they made me suffer a lot during my childhood, they enabled me to never give up and always fight to achieve my goals.

Rap is often seen as homophobic. What do you think about this?

In my song “COBRA”, I say: “I understand it’s scary to hear a faggot on a trap track, Léo Music and I’m going to get you all“, that’s what I think!

In reality, I find it deeply sad and damaging to refuse to listen to someone’s artistic proposals simply because of their sexual orientation. Let’s enjoy our lives, we only have one, and learn to open up to more cultures and personalities.

Which rappers do you listen to these days?

I listen a lot to Lil Nas X, who for me is one of the most talented people on this Earth.

I’m also a big fan of Shay, bad bitch but gang, I can see a lot of myself in her.

And I listen to a lot of rappers like Tiakola, Niska and SDM, who I find very talented and interesting.

Do you make your living from music? If not, is this a long-term goal?

I’m not making a living from music yet, it provides me with a not small additional income, but in the future I hope to be able to make a living from it and be a full-time artist. That would be my life’s goal and my childhood dream.

What are your upcoming projects?

I’m currently working on my first EP, which will consist of 6 or 7 tracks. It’s going to be a very artistic and aesthetic project, with a very special theme and the music is going to get a lot of people talking. I can’t wait to share it with you!

What can we wish you?

A great career in music, a great community of fans, and lots of concerts. The stage is really the place where I feel most fulfilled.

Thank you for the interview, and thank you for your great media, which puts the spotlight on LGBT personalities and women in hip hop. What you’re doing is amazing!

Find Léo on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter.

A rising talent on the current Spanish scene, K1za has been making music since she was a teenager. With her distinctive raspy voice, the Madrid-based artist delivers a hardcore yet sensitive rap.  She told us about her journey, the solidarity between female rappers in her country, and her new album due in 2024.

How and when did you discover hip hop?

I discovered hip hop when I was 10 or 11 years old,  watching people doing battles, listening to Charlie from Bastard Sons, or before that to Crema, and rappers from the US as well.

How and when did you start rapping?

I started rapping when I was about 15 or 16. Before that, I used to compose other types of songs more rock or pop-oriented. I played acoustic guitar and then electric guitar. From a certain point, I started rapping.

When did you create the character of K1za and how would you define her?

More than a character, K1za is the nickname some of my friends gave me. K1za has always been a part of me, Carmen, since before I was even making music.

I would define it as my dark side and also probably as my strongest side. The one that carries all the bad stuff and has luckily learned to get it out through music.

How did your raspy voice come about – was it something you worked on or did you just start rapping like that “instinctively”?

It was something I worked on. At the beginning, when I sang with a more “ntaural” voice, I couldn’t transmit what I wanted to transmit with the lyrics. And I thought that my voice did not fit the message I wanted to convey.

I made different tests and I found that one. That’s when I felt that I was transmitting what I wanted to transmit with my music.

How does the Spanish audience usually respond to your music?

In general, people respond very well. I think it’s something that usually makes a bit of an impression to see a woman speaking the way I do.

Which track are you most proud of so far?

I don’t have a specific song that I’m most proud of. But I feel very proud of “Cobarde”, because of all the people who have been able to relate to the song and because I think it defines my style very well.

Then I feel very proud of my track with Lasole called “Yo Quise Ser”. In terms of work, it has been the song that has cured me the most, and the one that required the most thinking when composing it. And it has also come out in a very natural way. Musically, it is the most special song for me.

How do you usually compose a song? Do you start with the beat or the lyrics?

I always start with the lyrics. As I am used to writing, the lyrics naturally come out with a beat, whether it’s fast or slow, that I just need to adjust.

Usually ideas come to my mind without me wanting it or without me looking for it. When a sentence or a concept comes up, I start to develop it. Once I have dug deeper, I look for a beat that works well with the lyrics.

When I record in the studio, it’s the same. I go in with just a text, which I may have practiced with a YouTube video or whatever. And in the studio we create a beat that fits well with the message.

Several weeks ago you released the song “Jaleo” with the rappers Tribade. How did you meet them and decide to work together?

It was thanks to Tribade that I made my first stage appearance. They invited me to perform at one of their concerts in Madrid a few years ago.

From that day on, we got on really well and recently decided to work on a song together. They came to Madrid to record it, make the video and everything. It was great.

Are you connected with other female rappers in Spain?

Fortunately, in Spain, female rappers stick together. I’m friends with Lasole, as I said, but also with Anier, Santa Salut, Elane, Lia Kali, and Tribade of course. All women who know how to have fun and kick ass.

For me, it’s an honor to be part of these women, to develop friendships, to support each other and to be able to count on each other.

Would you describe yourself as a feminist and/or queer artist? If so, how would you define your own feminism and/or queerness?

I consider myself a feminist woman and a queer woman. A feminist artist, I don’t know. I talk about what I experience and that’s it. I’m not trying to advocate any kind of struggle. I know there are things I say in my texts that are feminist, but I think feminism is an attitude.

Obviously, I’m against chauvinism and that makes me a feminist. In my lyrics, I denounce sexual assault, or I talk about beating the shit out of a guy who’s crossed the line with a woman. So it’s intrinsically feminist. But I’m not trying to put a feminist label on myself.

And it’s the same with being queer. I sing about love between women and that gives visibility or helps other people to identify. It’s something that comes naturally to me, so I don’t spend my time trying to wave the LGBT flag.

What are your upcoming projects?

At the moment, my most important project is an album to be released in 2024. And I’m working very hard on it.

Apart from that, I’m preparing some collaborations with artists I really admire, which will be released gradually.

I also have a few concerts left before the end of the year. I hope that in 2024 we’ll be lucky enough to be playing as many festivals as we are this year.

Otherwise, to keep releasing music before the album comes out.

What can we wish you?

You can wish me never to run out of willpower to keep working and keep this project going. Because at the end of the day, I don’t believe in luck so much as hard work. You should never stop fighting for your dreams, and I hope I never run out of strength to fight.

Follow K1za on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Rapper, singer and songwriter Tkay Maidza was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, grew up in Adelaide, Australia, and now lives in Los Angeles. On tour until the end of the year, the artist told us about her “chameleon” journey and her second album Sweet Justice, which will be released on November 3.

How and when were you introduced to hip hop for the first time?

I was introduced to it when I was like 3 years old. My parents would play a lot of Missy Elliott, but the moment I really started paying attention was when Nicki Minaj released her first mixtape. Felt like she was really speaking to me at that time.

You’re a singer, a songwriter, and a rapper. Which activity came first?

I was a rapper first. I began singing because I wanted someone to sing my choruses and didn’t know anyone.

How and when did you create the character of Tkay Maidza and how would you define it? 

It’s an extension of me. It’s not so much a character but almost a manifestation of the ultimate version of me. Someone that the childhood version of me would look up to.

You’re about to release your second album Sweet Justice. How has your music evolved since your first project?

I feel like I set intentions and make music I love now. I speak about my real life instead of making up scenarios. More relatable.

Which song of yours best represents you and why?

“What Ya Know” from my new album or “24k”. It’s a mix of every version of me: the singing, the rapping, the introspection but confidence.

How do you usually write? Do you have any routines?

Not really. I just try to write down any thoughts I have and let the stream of consciousness coke through. Sometimes it’s just a poem. Other times it’s melodies.

You were born in Zimbabwe, then moved to Australia, and now live in Los Angeles. What is your relationship to these three cities and what do they mean to you? 

I’ve learnt that I can be a chameleon and take small elements from each place I live in. It’s all about how I feel in a city and not so much if I belong there.

As a female artist, what issues did/do you have to face throughout your career? 

I think people sometimes don’t take you seriously… It takes a lot to be heard and seen especially by men.

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Yeah, I believe in women having voices and being heard. I’m here for fairness between genders and think that women are underestimated so I try and do my best to be a good example of strong femininity.

How has the Covid pandemic impacted your projects?

It didn’t really stop anything for me. I was stuck in Australia for a while, but I definitely needed3 the downtime to realize that I should move out of my parents’ place and take the next leaps.

You just announced a North American tour for September. Do you also plan to come to Europe?

Yep! I’ll be there in November.

What do you think about Madame Rap? What should be changed or improved?

You guys are great! Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you.

Find Tkay Maidza on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and her website.

© Dana Trippe