Kin4Life

Kin4Life is a rap duo from Mount Vernon New York that features emcees IQ and Nor. They have been grinding for years on the underground hip hop scene, giving their fans energetic stage shows featuring a live band. Their music combines witty rhymes about love and life with eclectic musical genres such as rock and drum & bass. Kin4Life's new single, Make Up Girl is available for download on Itunes, so cop that, it's a hot track! Below is the video for the single. To hear more of their music visit their official Myspace page.

Hip Hop Scribe

Detroit native Dream Hampton has experienced and set in stone the history and legacy of hip hop through her writing. Making history as the first female editor of The Source, Dream Hampton interviewed Snoop Dogg and Tupac, and many others, early in their careers. In addition, she wrote about important issues facing the black community such as police brutality.  Her writing has also appeared in Vibe, Village Voice, Essence and Detroit News. A modern renaissance woman, Dream Hampton wrote an award winning short film, I Am Ali, and co-produced Bigger Than Life, the first full-length documentary on Notorious B.I.G.

Introducing....

D.S. Sense, a Detroit emcee, poet and singer. Her soulful hip hop sounds are a combination of her many jazz, soul and hip hop influences. Check out some of her music on myspace, http://www.myspace.com/dssense

Weekly Blog Round-Up

Davey D's 25 Joints to Get You Through the Day

MC Lyte Speaks on Hip Hop and its audience

Jasirix has a new song about violence against young women

The Fembassy features a freestyle Friday video with Medusa

Q&A with La Femme Nikita

Here is a short interview I did with Texas emcee La Femme Nikita. To check out some of her music visit her Myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/nomdecodenikita

1. When did you know that a career in hip hop was what you wanted, that it was your passion?
Hip Hop to me was like my religion; a way of life. When I woke up and before I went to sleep I would faithfully listen to my favorite artists to gain knowledge. I couldn't live without it because it practically raised me. I grew up somewhat of a tomboy being around my older brother and male cousins, so it was natural for me to do what they did. My brother rapped, so I watched and learned the formula from him. Little did he know I was developing as a young mc, so at 13 I spit a rhyme for him and my cousins and they told me to "keep it up." Since then, I fell in love with the craft. Sometimes, I tease my big bro saying, I bet ya I will eat u up nowadays though lol.


2. Who or what influences your music and writing?

My lifestyle influences a lot of my writing. I was blessed to have seen the best of both worlds growing up in Texas and also living on the east coast. In turn, I was influenced by both cultures. I admired the east coast for its lyrical content, and Texas for being crafty with hooks and heavybass blues samples. Also I write from my own experiences, so its somewhat cathartic for me. Songs like "Big Momma" and "My Everything" was very personal for me so I had to record with all the lights off to zone out.

3. What have been a few highlights of your career so far?

I had the opportunity to appear on Bet's Rap City before it was canceled. I was excited about the whole experience, but at the sametime sad because the show was coming to an end. Overall, it was great exposure and another stepping stone in helping further my career.

4. Who are your musical influences?

2pac is one of my biggest influences because he was very passionate about his craft and wasn't afraid to show emotion through his music. I respect JayZ as a  businessman and lyricist. The man Hov got lines for days and he's consistent.

5. With all the talk about the status of women in hip hop, do you feel that there will come a time in the near future that female emcees will receive mainstream support and attention again? Or do you think because of the rise of online support and distribution channels, female emcees will flourish in their own independent industry?

I think women will receive mainstream attention and support again. It was a good look for females when Nicki Minaj and Trina was featured on the 5 star chick remix. It shows that us femcees still exist. We are in a male dominating industry, so we have to work 10 times harder to earn that respect. Females are definately contributing to hip hop while producing, starting their own independent labels, magazines, etc. I'm glad to see the women doing their thing.

6. What artists would you like to work with in the future?

I would love to work with Scarface, BG, Devin the Dude, ZRO, Bun B just to name a few. These people who I enjoy listening to have their own unique style. I am a huge Mary J Blige fan because her voice is so pure and she sings from the heart. I think collaborating with The Queen of Hip Hop Soul would be a hit.

7. What upcoming projects are you working on?

amerikkkan gangstress/boarding gate

8. Who are your top 5 favorite emcees?

My top 5 favorite mc's are: 2pac, Nas, JayZ, Biggie, Scarface all which I took certain things from as an artist

The Conscious Daughters

The Conscious Daughters are a legendary hip hop duo from the Bay Area that consists of emcees CMG and Special One. They exploded into the national spotlight with their single, Fonkey Expedition, a song on their 1993 debut album, Ear To The Streets, which sold 300,000 copies. Their next album, Gamers, was also a success and last year they released The Nutcraker Suite, an album featuring appearances by Mystic, Goldie the Murderist and T-Kash. They are known for their street, yet socially conscious and female empowerment lyrics.

The First Lady of Def Jam

Nikki D was the first female emcee signed to Def Jam records in 1989. Her first and only album,
Daddy's Little Girl featured the hit singles, Daddy's Little Girl, Wasted and Lettin Off Steam. Her
songs addressed subjects such as teen pregnancy and self esteem. She definitely paved the way
for later female emcees on Def Jam and in general.