Interviews

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

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

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

Santa Salut: “The key is to base feminism on love, not anger”

Hailing from Sabadell, Catalonia, Spanish 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 … Continue reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naya Ali: “I feel like I waited an eternity to be reborn”

Ethiopian-born and Montreal-raised rapper Naya Ali burst onto the scene in 2017 with her debut single Ra Ra. She told us about her new EP Godspeed: Baptism (Prelude), which announces an album of the same name, her influences and her musical universe. When and how were you introduced to hip hop? Growing up what would … Continue reading

IRA: “We make noise with principles”

Based in Madrid, the female rap group IRA gathers four friends and feminist/antiracist activists. Raissa, Medea, Sátira et Elvirus told us about their new album El Duelo and their feminist fight through hip hop. When and how did you discover hip hop? We’ve been listening to all types of music since we were young. We … Continue reading

Tina Mweni: “Hip hop breaks discrimination”

Born in Kenya, rapper/singer/poet/dancer and choreographer Tina Mweni immigrated to Denmark, where she made herself known in 2010 with the TV show Denmark’s Got Talent. Now based in Marseille, France, the artist told us about her vision of hip hop and her inspirations. When and how did you discover hip hop? In the 90’s when … Continue reading

Nyemiah Supreme & Connie Diiamond: “It’s great to see females are taking over”

New York rappers Nyemiah Supreme and Connie Diiamond told us about their collaboration as female artists and their EP Slick Talk dropping on March 31 in celebration of women’s international history month and women supporting women in hip hop. How and when did you start rapping? did you two meet and start working together? Nyemiah … Continue reading