Interviews
Miss Pvssy: “Now hip hop is open to all”
Born and raised in Chicago, Miss Pvssy is most known for her 2017 ChiRaq Freestyle, which celebrates trans women’s sexuality. She told us about her journey in rap, her inclusive vision of hip hop and her first EP that will be released this year. How and when were you introduced to hip hop for the … Continue reading “Miss Pvssy: “Now hip hop is open to all””
Trannilish: “Every queer artist needs to knock down doors just to get noticed”
The New York-based queer rapper told us about her last video Bounce with Ms. Boogie, her projects and the discriminations she faces as a Black trans artist and a sex worker. How and when were you introduced to hip hop for the first time? My first introduction to hip hop happened in the new millennium, … Continue reading “Trannilish: “Every queer artist needs to knock down doors just to get noticed””
Alexie Ivanovich: “My battlefield is justice for all, justice for life”
A rapper and a beatmaker, Alexie Ivanovich was born in Isfahan, the third-largest city in Iran. At 17, she moved to Tehran to study hardware engineering at Tehran Polytechnic. Because of deep ideological conflicts, she dropped out of university and devoted her time to making music. She told us about her journey in hip hop … Continue reading “Alexie Ivanovich: “My battlefield is justice for all, justice for life””
Ramengvrl: “I don’t believe in social conformity”
Born in Jakarta, Ramengvrl started rapping in 2013 as an escape from her 9-to-5 job. Her music career took off in 2016 with her first single I’m Da Man followed by CA$HMERE, which brought her name to the next level. Also a strong LGBTQIA ally, the artist told us about her new album Can’t Speak … Continue reading “Ramengvrl: “I don’t believe in social conformity””
Countess Malaise: “Rapping forced me to keep fighting through the pain”
Icelandic rapper Countess Malaise told us about her latest single That Bitch, from her upcoming album “All By Myself”, and her “sex-positive, radical, honest and vulnerable” feminism. Where does the name Countess Malaise come from? When I was thinking of a name, I was reading a comic book called Modesty Blaise and I was hanging … Continue reading “Countess Malaise: “Rapping forced me to keep fighting through the pain””
Arabyrd : “Voices are louder when spoken together”
Malaysian rapper and DJ Arabyrd told us about her journey in hip hop, her latest collab with Cee and Rider Shafique and her projects despite the Covid pandemic. Where does the name Arabyrd come from? A friend used to call me “Birdie” so when my manager asked me if I really wanted to use my … Continue reading “Arabyrd : “Voices are louder when spoken together””
MicahTron: “It should be normalized for women to talk about loving other women”
As she just released the video Run It Up, San Francisco rapper MicahTron told us about her journey in hip hop, her projects and what being a Black and queer woman means to her. Where does the name MicahTron come from? My birth name is Tramicah, so MicahTron was a spin on my given name. … Continue reading “MicahTron: “It should be normalized for women to talk about loving other women””
Santa Salut: “The key is to base feminism on love, not anger”
Hailing from Sabadell, Catalonia, rapper Santa Salut told us about her journey in hip hop and her feminism. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? I’ve always been curious and an observer, so as a kid I was always looking at my environment, what surrounded me. If I watched TV and heard Ice … Continue reading “Santa Salut: “The key is to base feminism on love, not anger””
N1yah: “Being a woman from the Middle East who raps defies a lot of norms”
Based in Dubai, the Lebanese artist told us about her journey in hip hop, female rappers in the United Arab Emirates and her vision of feminism. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? I was introduced to hip hop at a very young age. I remember that when I was about 9 years … Continue reading “N1yah: “Being a woman from the Middle East who raps defies a lot of norms””
Masia One: “I speak on behalf of women that may not have their voices heard”
Nicknamed the Far East Empress, the Singaporean/Canadian rapper told us about her journey in hip hop between South-East Asia, North America and Jamaica, her love for reggae and how she became even more feminist after one of her team members said she was sexually assaulted by the artist they were touring with. How and when … Continue reading “Masia One: “I speak on behalf of women that may not have their voices heard””
Han Han: “My success is to like what I do and do what I like”
Born in the Philippines, Han Han immigrated to Toronto in 2006. The artist explained to us how she combines her work as a rapper and a full-time nurse, the influence of her grand-mother on her second album Urduja and her intersectional feminism. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? Since I was young, … Continue reading “Han Han: “My success is to like what I do and do what I like””
Nadirah X: “As an artist, I must set an example of strength and independence”
The Jamaican rapper told us about her journey in hip hop since her beginnings in 2002, her collaborations with Dave Stewart (The Eurythmics) and her love for poetry. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? My brother Junior AKA Mr. E was a DJ when I was younger, he introduced me to hip … Continue reading “Nadirah X: “As an artist, I must set an example of strength and independence””
Starrlight: “I have a lot of respect for all independent women”
Since her first texts at the age of 14, Starrlight never stopped writing. Easily identifiable thanks to her sharp flow, the Dutch rapper told us about her journey in hip hop and her new album Planet Starrazoid. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? I actually got introduced to Hiphop by watching all … Continue reading “Starrlight: “I have a lot of respect for all independent women””
Zamaera: “I never allowed anyone to look down upon me because of my gender”
As one of the first Malaysian female rappers, Zamaera inspired a whole generation of femcees in her country. The artist told us about her journey in hip hop, her feminism and her post-lockdown projects. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? My first memories of hip hop dates back to the early 2000s. … Continue reading “Zamaera: “I never allowed anyone to look down upon me because of my gender””
CHIKA: “Now rap is second nature”
A singer, rapper, poet and activist, CHIKA drew our attention in 2017 with her pro LGBT+ remix of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You. The Alabama artist told us about her new EP Industry Games and body-positivity. How and when were your introduced to hip hop? I was introduced to hip hop as a kid but … Continue reading “CHIKA: “Now rap is second nature””
Maya Jupiter: “We need a huge shift in the way women are seen”
A songwriter, radio MC and rapper, Maya Jupiter has been active on the hip hop scene for nearly 20 years. Now based in Los Angeles, the Mexican-Australian artist told us about her “artivism”, her fight for human rights and her upcoming EP. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? I was introduced to … Continue reading “Maya Jupiter: “We need a huge shift in the way women are seen””
M¥SS KETA: “RAP LANGUAGE IS THE MOST SUITABLE FOR WHAT I AIM TO SAY”
No one knows her face. A real icon in Italy, Milanese masked rapper M¥SS KETA (who always writes in caps lock) told us about her career in hip hop and her extravagant queer music, that mixes electro, punk, trap and pop. How and when were you introduced to hip hop? IT WAS IN THE LATE … Continue reading “M¥SS KETA: “RAP LANGUAGE IS THE MOST SUITABLE FOR WHAT I AIM TO SAY””
Danielle Swagger: “Without women, the world cannot go forward”
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 … Continue reading “Danielle Swagger: “Without women, the world cannot go forward””
Hawa: “My sexuality is not what defines me as a person”
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 … Continue reading “Hawa: “My sexuality is not what defines me as a person””