Rita J
The Reminders
Soulflower
StaHHr
I was convinced that the female emcee was a rare breed. I thought finding one with lyrical skill and flavor, as well as self respect would be like finding a needle in a haystack. The ultimate female emcee would have to properly represent Black people and the fight for liberation, as well as shine beautifully from within-- which would make her rare indeed. My personal goal is to be this emcee, be this inspiration to so many women tired of the “Trina’s” and “Lil Kim’s”. This weekend the UNIVERSE proved me wrong. The female emcee is alive and thriving and her message is one of REVOLUTION!
The celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Black August/ Happily Natural Day in Atlanta (www.happilynaturalday/atlanta) was a beautiful experience for me. It felt so good to be around so many forward moving and proud to be Black people. Living in Montgomery from New Orleans has been a culture shock to say the least. In the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, Black people from Montgomery seem apprehensive to talk about race and injustice. At the mere mention of anything expressing Blackness (“Black Mama”), I get rolled eyes and looks like “Who is this b…? She ain’t Black!”
At the Black August/Happily Natural Day celebrations there were all shades of Black celebrating our oneness, our uniqueness, and our natural beauty. I was introduced to phenomenal men and women holding it up for African culture. I met a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Kanika Jamila, (http://www.thehooddoctors.ning.com/) who uses her knowledge to train those in the community to heal themselves and others. I met a jewelry/crochet artist (AyanaRed.com) who makes 100% natural crochet baby dolls/baby clothes and a fashion designer who takes genuine dashiki fabric from Ghana to create high fashion pieces. The greatest prize though was meeting 5 powerful female emcees who truly impressed me. These brilliant sistah emcees changed my mind about the state of hip hop.
The celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Black August/ Happily Natural Day in Atlanta (www.happilynaturalday/atlanta) was a beautiful experience for me. It felt so good to be around so many forward moving and proud to be Black people. Living in Montgomery from New Orleans has been a culture shock to say the least. In the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, Black people from Montgomery seem apprehensive to talk about race and injustice. At the mere mention of anything expressing Blackness (“Black Mama”), I get rolled eyes and looks like “Who is this b…? She ain’t Black!”
At the Black August/Happily Natural Day celebrations there were all shades of Black celebrating our oneness, our uniqueness, and our natural beauty. I was introduced to phenomenal men and women holding it up for African culture. I met a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Kanika Jamila, (http://www.thehooddoctors.ning.com/) who uses her knowledge to train those in the community to heal themselves and others. I met a jewelry/crochet artist (AyanaRed.com) who makes 100% natural crochet baby dolls/baby clothes and a fashion designer who takes genuine dashiki fabric from Ghana to create high fashion pieces. The greatest prize though was meeting 5 powerful female emcees who truly impressed me. These brilliant sistah emcees changed my mind about the state of hip hop.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Stahhr for many years. She is a mutual friend of one of my dear sistahs, Nabii Bastet who held it up for female emcees in New Orleans pre-Katrina. Stahhr is a force all her own. She is a hardcore wordsmith whose lyrical savvy challenges ALL emcees. This weekend I began to witness Stahhr’s natural beauty shine on and off the mic. Stahhr introduced me to Soulflower, whose eclectic look and peace vibration drew me to her. She was a pleasure to vibe with, but when she hit that stage she blessed the mic and the place with powerful vocals for liberation. Aja Black, one half of the hip hop duo The Reminders, strolled around the festival with her beautiful daughters smiling and greeting people. But when the duo rocked that mic, Aja personified the female emcee. Her voice is strong and soulful, and her lyrical skills are amazing. She is a triple threat…with a great singing voice, rhyming skillz and unparalleled beauty/vibration. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Rita J and Boog Brown face to face, but while I was vending at the festival I had to turn my head to see who these sistahs were tearing the mic up. These two sistahs exemplify the balance of intelligence, knowledge of self and inner beauty. It is an honor to know that all these sistahs exist, vibing on a revolutionary tip and also supporting one other.
The mainstream “plastic wrap” is dead, no doubt. But, Hip Hop? TRUE hip hop is alive and well in these sistahs and the many other groups that represented at the Happily Natural Day/Black August Commemoration. Big Ups to the FTP Movement and the other organizers of this worthy event! It can only get better y’all! And to my sistah emcees…I am honored to be one of your newest fans. I’ve got work to do to prove myself as an emcee, but now I know I have some sistahs holding it up for hip hop while I get my vibe together. Can’t wait to rock the mic with all of you queens…Ase’.
The mainstream “plastic wrap” is dead, no doubt. But, Hip Hop? TRUE hip hop is alive and well in these sistahs and the many other groups that represented at the Happily Natural Day/Black August Commemoration. Big Ups to the FTP Movement and the other organizers of this worthy event! It can only get better y’all! And to my sistah emcees…I am honored to be one of your newest fans. I’ve got work to do to prove myself as an emcee, but now I know I have some sistahs holding it up for hip hop while I get my vibe together. Can’t wait to rock the mic with all of you queens…Ase’.
MANTRA: Breathe and let Light fill you. I will reach for my highest Self in anything I say and all that I do.
