TALKIN' VIDEOS

Wassup, mi familia–

This post is officially the last one for Women’s Herstory Month, and I think the subject of today’s blog is perfect for what I’m trying to get at today. We’ve discussed the many cuts from femcees that were dope and disputed over the ones who we thought were not. We even witnessed two of our favorite femcees get back in the Hip-Hop game (well, at least one of ‘em) by way of their reality show.
And that’s great. I know I’ve posed this question before, but I’m gonna pose it again:

In this era, where our favorites female mic controllers have traded in their assymetrical haircuts and Africa medallions for bigger endeavors (specifically, MC Lyte’s fronting an alternative hip-hop band named Almost September; Roxanne Shante Dr. Roxanne Shante obtained her medical degree from Cornell and opened up her own psych practice; and Queen Latifah made a successful foray into the television and film industries, as well as debuted an awesome jazz album) who are we listening to TODAY that’s holding it down for the ladies? And I don’t mean by just simply being a female rapper; I mean being a lyricist that other women like to listen to.

There are a few of them out there, blazing various mics and lighting up many stages across the country.
One of them, I’ve recently had the distinct pleasure of meeting and watching her perform live. Her name is Kween Ka$h, and believe me, she’s coming for that crown. Born and raised in Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y., the “Yankee-born Trini” is a hot commodity on the underground rap circuit. Not only has she opened up for the Blastmaster KRS-One and performed with Eve, she took home the 4th Annual Underground Music Award for Best Female Rapper in 2006. But, like I always say: don’t take my word for it.

Just to give y’all a lil’ taste, peep footage of Kween Ka$h doing her thing at last year's Rap-A-Thon held at the Harlem Hip-Hop Culture Center, a competition where several emcees were chosen to rap in teams non-stop for 24 hours without using derogatory language. Ka$h’s team was actually the first to kick off the event.

Kween Ka$h released her debut album, Pure Fire, this January, a multifaceted collection of 16 tracks that you’ll definitely want to spin from beginning to end. And if you think she’s going to be taking shots at other rappers, or overly bragging about her clothes or her sexual conquests, you’re mistaken. Instead, she uses her debut to show off her lyrical skill (concepts include overcoming obstacles, her discussing her culture, not taking ish from men and more) and delivery. She even switches up the flow from time to time and starts incorporating her Trini roots into her rhythm.

Peep the video for her latest single, “Boom Boom Chap.” Now ladies, I know this one is gonna bring back some memories of playing this game in the schoolyard at recess (remember how you were fly like butterfly, sting like a bee, and that’s why they called you “pretty”?). What I love about this song is that in the matter of 3:30 minutes, she manages to harken back to our era, remains relevant to the Chicken Noodle/Lip Gloss crowd of today. Most importantly, Ka$h maintains her legitimacy by admitting that this kind of track isn’t really her style, rhyming, “Let’s be clear here I’m an emcee for real/but I had to dumb it down for this track to have appeal.”

And I got one more: check the footage of her performing a medley of her songs “New York Bounce,” “No Matter What” (one of my faves), and “Boom Boom Chap” while opening up for KRS-One.

Don’t worry– this won’t be the last time I feature her on this blog. Be on the lookout for an interview with Ka$h airing on the blog very soon. In the meantime, go on and check out kweenkash.com or myspace.com/kweenkash to get more info on her.

**Aight y'all, I'm out for the weekend! Before I go, let me say one thing: Remy, hold ya head, Ma. Stay strong for your son. **

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