Author: madamerap-admin

Born and raised in Gaborone, Botswana, Danielle Swagger started rapping in 2012. Now based in La Reunion Island, the artist told us about her experience in hip hop, her projects and the construction of her musical identity. 

How and when were you introduced to hip hop?

I was introduced to hip hop through the likes of Snoop Dogg mentoring Bow Wow to Missy Elliott, and not only was I into hip hop but a massive collection of music, listening to songs and writing them down directly then after learning them, little did I know I was growing a skill in me. 

How did you start rapping? 

When I was about 17 years old, my older brother asked me to come to his studio and record a verse on his song That Mullah, after all I was always singing at the top of my lungs in the house. People reacted well to the song but I could hear myself more than they could and knew I had to enhance my skill further. Till this day, I am still juggling my sound, flow and voice in different directions trying to define my personality through music.

How would you define your music?

My music is realistic based on reality, its core of the body is hip hop sometimes assorted with other genres. It depends how I am feeling the production.

If someone doesn’t know your music and wants to discover it, which track would you advise them to listen to first and why? 

I would tell them to listen to #ShebaGusheshe featuring JT SpecialBoy because it is the song we took to radio first, which introduced me as an artist to a broader market in Botswana and it did very well. It is a unique genre and a hybrid of Skhanda music generated by K.O from South Africa, mixed with a hint of sgubu/kwaito sensation.

Why did you decide to move to the Reunion Island?

I decided to relocate to Reunion Island because I knew music is part of the culture. Music here is usually performed live with the basic instruments we know and traditional instruments like the ngoni, djembe, kayamb…

The festivals here are amazing and the organizations such as Le Kerveguen, La Cité des Arts, Florilèges have some of the biggest stages. I figured I could grow myself as an artist and prepare myself for bigger worldwide stages, collaborate and exchange with different programs and musicians. It is a learning curve for me and I am not in a rush.

You collaborated with rapper Queen Favie. How did you two meet and decide to work together? 

Queen Favie and I met through our managers, who put together a collaboration aimed at misogyny.

Are there many female rappers in Botswana? Is it easy for them to make themselves known and find an audience?

Botswana has very few female rappers who are exposed to the creative industry, in fact it is a male-dominated industry and this is a very sensitive topic for me to discuss.

Who are your female role models?

I aspire to be like Bonang Matheba, Viola Davis, Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama. Women of substance, responsibility and power. To fall, To Learn, To Get Up & Teach. Music-wise I respect Beyonce as the greatest performer and Rihanna as a rolling stone in the music business.

Do you consider yourself a feminist? If so, how would you define your own feminism?

I am a feminist because I believe women are the stand still of the world, without women the world cannot go forward.

What are your upcoming projects?

I don’t like to blow my bubble but l’d like my fans to look forward to the much aggressive side of me. All updates will be available on my page.

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

Madame Rap is a marvelous platform because it states its focus, it is broad and entertaining for those who want to hear more female rappers. Keep pushing, you’re doing a magnificent job.

Find Danielle Swagger on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

© lecerf

Born in Berlin, Hawa grew up in France and Africa. Now based in NYC, the 19-year-old rapper told us about her evolution in hip hop and her new EP The One. 

How and when were you introduced to hip hop culture?

I was introduced at a very young age. I would probably say around 3 years old. I can’t tell you when exactly, but especially since I grew up in a Black household, it is impossible for you not to encounter hip hop at one point. But I grew up listening to Motown, Africa, French, and house music mostly.

How did you start rapping?

There was a point in my life where I was just listening to rap and drill, and one day, I decided to start rapping. After that, I just practiced so I could get good.

Which artists did you listen to while growing up?

TLC, D’Angelo, Sade, John Mayer, Mase, T Pain, Tracy Chapman. Honestly, I could keep going on forever.

Did you receive any musical training?

Yes I received classical training from the New York Philharmonic.

You just released the EP The One. How would you present this project?

I can’t really answer that because this project is about love and there is no true way to present that.

Do you identify as queer? What does the term “queer” mean to you?

To be honest, I’m a lesbian woman who loves women. Queer doesn’t really mean anything because I don’t think my sexuality is what really defines me as a person. All it says about me is the kind of person I like to have sex with.

Hip hop is often pictured as sexist and homophobic. However many LGBTQIA artists express themselves through rap. How would you explain this contradiction?

Honestly, I think this one of the problems asking questions like this. Even if it’s not intentional to categorize, why does it mean being a gay artist means that you have to be labeled either LGTBQ or female? Why can’t an artist just be a rapper or singer? So I feel like once everyone stops making those categories then it’ll be easier for things to change.

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

I do. My ability to embrace my beauty, embrace my feminism, support other women, and being able to voice my sexuality freely, and to be free– that’s the way I would describe my feminism.

What are your upcoming projects?

I’m making a new album and new music in general so be on the lookout!

Find Hawa on Soundcloud, Twitter and Instagram.