The full interview from the listicle, “6 Indie Rappers Dispel Myths About Being Independent And Explain Why They Wouldn’t Have Their Careers Any Other Way,” published on Blavity, June 2021. — 3D Na’Tee has got to be one of the hardest working women in the game. She made a promise to God that if she could have a chance at successfully making music that she would turn her life around and that she did. Her career trajectory and talent level, research…

The full interview from the listicle, “6 Indie Rappers Dispel Myths About Being Independent And Explain Why They Wouldn’t Have Their Careers Any Other Way,” published on Blavity, June 2021. — Brooklyn native Skyzoo has been rapping since he was 9-years-old and making money off his art for the past 15 years. Heavily influenced by the deep hip-hop culture of his community, Skyzoo has remained independent throughout the entire course of his career, admittedly turning down several major label deals over…

The full interview from the listicle, “6 Indie Rappers Dispel Myths About Being Independent And Explain Why They Wouldn’t Have Their Careers Any Other Way,” published on Blavity, June 2021. — The first time I saw MuMu Fresh perform live was at The Kennedy Center’s Arts Summit a few years ago. The second time I saw her live was at my husband’s Black Out Loud Conference in Baton Rouge. She is as genuine and talented as anyone could imagine. …

The full interview from the listicle, “6 Indie Rappers Dispel Myths About Being Independent And Explain Why They Wouldn’t Have Their Careers Any Other Way,” published on Blavity, June 2021. — I still remember the first time I saw a young Alfred Banks perform in 2013. First things first, I am near impossible to impress; secondly, I endorse no one. Those two things are important note because immediately after seeing Alfred, I jumped on Facebook and posted a glowing review of…

The full interview from the listicle, “6 Indie Rappers Dispel Myths About Being Independent And Explain Why They Wouldn’t Have Their Careers Any Other Way,” published on Blavity, June 2021. — Washington, D.C. native Sa-Roc has been actively performing as an independent artist for 13 years. She is signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment, an independent hip-hop label, under which she released her latest and widely-acclaimed project, The Sharecropper’s Daughter, and the deluxe version which features six additional tracks. She sat down with…

“I have something to tell you,” I said to Flame, nerves rattling in my vocal cords. “What’s that?” he asked. “I spent the weekend with my ex-boyfriend and he wants to get back with me.” Flame looked off to the side as if to retrieve a look of no concern…

Flame was charming in a way I had never encountered. I was soft clay to this expert craftsman and I stretched and folded with every nudge and tug. And when I turned to stone at his torch-filled touch, I saw myself only treasured pottery, not hollowed and hardened. I stayed to be admired from time to time. I was kept to hold burdens — an empty vase filled and emptied and filled once more. Four years later, I was nothing more than shattered pieces, pushed off his nightstand.

In this series, I re-imagine the lives of Black folks gone too soon. #BlackHistoryReimagined, Day 26: Kobe Bryant, born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is best known as an NBA legend who spent his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers where he helped the team win five…

In this series, I re-imagine the lives of Black folks gone too soon. #BlackHistoryReimagined, Day 25: George Floyd was born on October 14, 1973, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but he grew up in Houston, Texas. While in high school Floyd used his large stature to dominate sports as the co-captain…