12/30/2023 0 Comments 80s hip hop female artists![]() ![]() | Courtesy of SenYon KellyĬharis Henry (pronounced Shar REE) started as a rapper signed by Eazy-E to his and Jerry Heller's Ruthless Records but quickly realized her heart and acumen for the business side. Longtime Hip Hop Executive and Entrepreneur (and former assistant to Eazy-E) Charis Henry and the author at the Universal Hip Hop Museum's recent Hip Hop Road Show in Los Angeles. The discussion, "Reading the City: Compton FreeStyle," was an essential conversation on the too-often untold or overlooked role of women as artists and entrepreneurs, particularly from Compton and South L.A., in Hip Hop's development on the west coast. ![]() On December 9, 2021, Sēpia Collective brought two trailblazing women in the emergence of Hip Hop on the West Coast, music executive Charis Henry and rapper and philanthropist Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whitaker, together with scholar and activist Martha "MD" Diaz. Women have not been given the same level of respect as Hip Hop artists and creatives as their male counterparts. When people name their favorite Hip Hop artist, many will not name a female artist or group, nor would a female artist make their top 10 list. (Strength In Numbers) and the band Medusa and Feline Science. Prior to becoming Medusa The Gangsta Goddess, Hip Hop legend Medusa held it down for L.A.'s underground Hip Hop scene with the group S.I.N. Rappers Medusa and Feline Science, T-Love, Sonja Marie, DJ Spark and Ava DuVernay, also from Compton and South Central, thrived in L.A.'s underground Hip Hop scene and graced the stages at places like Club Nappy at The Roots, KAOS Network, The Good Life, Project Blowed, spaces rooted in L.A. Ice Cube introduced Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whitaker, who exploded onto the Hip Hop scene to become a leading voice in Hip Hop from the West Coast. Fad (hailing from Rialto), who, along with Salt N' Pepa, was the first female Hip Hop group nominated for a Grammy award, as well as Charis Henry, who would become an influential entrepreneur and executive in the music industry. who worked with WCWC, along with singer Michel'le, who belted out the chorus on WCWC's hit "Turn Out the Lights." Eazy-E signed J.J. Then there was Mona Lisa, a talented singer from South L.A. DJ Silky D became the only female DJ in Uncle Jamm's Army. Dee Barnes, who had a former career in radio, would go on to host a music video show "Pump It Up," and own successful production company, Eastside Entertainment. They released their debut EP "Dance to the Drummers Beat" on Delicious Vinyl Records. Much respect to Rose Hutchinson and Dee Barnes - who formed the Hip Hop duo Body and Soul in the 1980s. These artists opened the doors for women Hip Hop artists to showcase their talent in the 80s and 90s in the West Coast world of Hip Hop. Dre linked up with Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella and MC Ren (Arabian Prince was also initially part of the group) to give a raw sound to the stories and day-to-day issues of Black and Brown communities in L.A., just like in New York. ![]() Rock) - set the bar for West Coast rap music in the early 80s. The World Class Wreckin' Cru (WCWC) - Alonzo Williams, CLi-N-TEL, Dr. roller skating rink, Dooto’s, and the legendary party and DJ crew, Uncle Jamm's Army, would give the world a broad spectrum of talented people that walked in the spirit and culture of Hip Hop. The hot spots Eve After Dark, Compton's Skateland U.S.A. Some would say that Compton put Hip Hop on the map on the West Coast. Hip Hop artists from Compton and South Los Angeles stepped into the game in the 1980s, when the music was just starting to gain national recognition. Hip Hop would carve out a lifestyle that became instilled in the core of the culture the determination and imagination of a community that stuck together, knew how to have a good time and looked out for each other would turn into a multibillion-dollar industry and global phenomenon that still thrives almost 50 years later. ![]() Record players would become instruments for DJs, breakbeats would be the music to the ears of breakdancers aka B-girls and B-boys, the mic would embrace the symphony of words out of the mouths of emcees, spray paint would dance on the blank canvases from the hands and minds of graf writers. It came from a place of creativity, lack of resources and escape from the day-to-day issues tied to politics, strikes and poverty in New York's Black and Brown communities. 11, 1973, in the Bronx, New York, at a back-to-school party hosted by DJ Kool Herc. Hip Hop was storytelling that gave a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of people who looked just like me. Reciting the lyrics made me feel cool and empowered. I would sit with a piece of paper, my ears glued to the speaker, writing out a song word for word. ![]()
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