Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Will the female Kanye stand up?!

So yes I admit it. I watch Miss Rap Supreme. Sigh (That was hard for me to do). But I have very good reason to. As a fan of hip hop (not a full out fanatic. READ: not like the people who recite rhymes while walking down the street...FOR THOSE PEOPLE: YOU LOOK CRAZY DOING THAT..STOP IT) I would really like to see a talented female MC step up to the plate. Scratch that...I would really like to see a talented well dressed female MC step up to the plate. Sorrowfully, I have not found that in Miss Rap Supreme. As a result, I am now looking for potential. I'm looking for someone they can take to Nordstrom or Bloomies and come out with a female Kanye West. That someone should also have the talent to stand up to the lyrics of the Kanye's, the Lupe's, and so forth. Now, please don't mistake my intent. There are a lot of great female rappers..(I've always liked Foxy, Lyte,Lauryn Hill, Latifah, and even Remy Ma's battles etc.) and I don't aim to insult any of them. I just want more. Or maybe I want less. I want more and less!

Less (in no particular order):
  • Gimmicky clothing (lots are guilty)
  • Weird hair (Kim I love you but that means you)
  • Bright/tacky color combinations
  • brand name dropping (especially if you are not going to wear it right)
  • wacked out stylists!
  • Weak Rhymes
  • SEX...stop talking about body parts...when i first encountered the words Ill Nana, it really made me sick : -(

More (again in no particular order):

  • metaphors
  • story telling (quick acknowledgement to Eve..I did like that Love is Blind song and Kim)
  • Believable and blended weaves
  • grown up voices ( I cannot listen to the high pitched chipmunk on a record effect)
  • Clothes...actual clothes not contraptions. Stop shopping at Vicki's for everything...visit the other stores in the mall. Would it kill you to stroll in Lord & Taylor's?
  • songs about anything other than sex, Gucci (usually rhymed with...oh well you know), and/or Prada

The truth is any natural born female has a (rhymes with Gucci) and if she really wanted a Gucci (I mean a bag this time) she could run to the store (given she has the cash) and purchase one. But not every female can step up to a mic in a crowded room and completely move an audience with her lyrics, style and presence. Even if she had all the money in the world.

I know that the rap industry is male dominated and at times sexist but there has to be a greater need (greater than mine) to hear a female rapper that has something inspiring to say.

So far on Miss Rap Supreme, I like Chiba and Reece. However, they fall into the problem of being poorly presented. Chiba needs a stylist that will give her more of a mature look. She can still be sexy just not so overt. Reece is cool too she just needs someone to tone down the platinum blond, give her a precision cut, and arch her brows. Then Wa-la Fabulous!

As an admitted optimist, I hope these two (as well as the other women) are transformed. They all have potential but they are rough around the edges image wise. A little consultation with a true stylist (whose repertoire does not include the Barnum & Bailey Circus) and a touch of charm school and these ladies could truly be what the industry needs more of.

TTFN! (ta ta for now)



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1 comment:

Streetz said...

Great blog sands! I think a female emcee stepping up to the plate with REAL lyrics would be great 4 hip hop. I still remember Lauryn Hill shuttin the game down with her miseducation... CRAZY!!

Great tips for the artists on that show too Shola... You need to get a consultation gig STAT!

peace!