TEQUILA  (September 2009) | Interview By: Jonathan Hay & Chad Kiser

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Interview was done in August 2009

Questions Asked By: Jonathan Hay & Chad Kiser
 

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Dubcnn Exclusive - Tequila
A Woman’s Touch (The Special Dubcnn Series)
By: Chad Kiser & Jonathan Hay
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Dubcnn: Tell me about growing up in Oakland, CA?

I grew up on 47th Street in North Oakland in a close knit family. The block had family members on both sides and was filled with both joy and pain. I attended public and private schools in an around the East Bay and was always in some sort of talent activities where I had to be the center of attention. I was the queen of beat box in most schools I attended. My teen years in Oakland were filled with violence and good music. For instance, I always rolled around town bumping Too Short and Dru Down (Pimp of The Year). I danced at many family gathering to the sounds of “Rumors” and later on I had a chance to work with Mike Marshall the lead singer for Timex Social Club. I also lost a number of close friends to crime, drugs and violence.

Overall, I was always soul searching in Oakland because the City of really cultural, inspiring and groundbreaking. Oakland allows you to be an original (Too Short, Ant Banks, Richie Rich, MC Hammer, Tony, Toni, Tone, Keisha Cole and more)and I was always proud that I was a unique person, from the way I wore my hair to the weird clothes my parents allowed me to wear. By living so close to Berkeley I became a hip hop hippie. I was actually born in Berkeley and raised in Oakland.


Dubcnn: How did you get started in the music business?

I started in the music industry from birth. My mother read poetry to me at an early age and was a powerful storyteller. From my mother I believe I got the gift of rhythm. I got my gospel and soul from my father who is a well known pastor in the Oakland Community. I believe my jazzy sound comes from my upbringing in the church. I had great strong black women that directed me in the church and pulled out my soul and taught me how to arrange songs in the church choir. From there I participated in a number of local talent shows and grew from there. I relocated at to Milwaukee, WI at the age of 13 and began to learn the streets of the Midwest and the rap game. Life moved fast and a number of my cousins there were involved in the street life that I found fascinating. I learned my Swag from them. I moved back to Oakland at the age of 16 and ended up in a group called Deeply Rooted. This was powerful political rap group that did several community shows. We opened shows for comedian Paul Mooney, comedian Lynell, and the television network "SoulBeat" (Oakland’s B.E.T before B.E.T). I ended up in a Brazilian Rock Band out of San Francisco called “RIPE” that shaped my mind to be open to new sounds and genres. I began dancing SAMBA professionally with a dance troupe called “Aquadella” that participated in San Francisco's annual Carnival festivals and travelled locally.


Dubcnn: Who were some of your influences coming up?

My influences growing up were Elvis Pressley, Peter Gabriel, Prince, Salt and Pepper, LL Cool J, Run DMC, MC Hammer, Too Short, Dru Down, Tina Turner, Al Green Cher, Diane Ross, and Michael Jackson to name a few. All had a profound effect on my musical career. Each has shaped my musical sound in one way or another. Michael Jackson was a big influence because he was so shy and so eccentric on stage. I have often been told my personality is like his because I transform on stage or in the booth. When I hear a beat my ear hears the sounds of my past and I can immediately freestyle something from my soul.


Dubcnn: Describe your music and sound?

My sound is distinguished by my voice. I have a raspy voice that I use as an instrument to add to any beat. My adlibs are always intentionally placed to enhance my sound.


Dubcnn: Being from Oakland, have you ever worked with Too $hort or E-40?

I have opened for Too Short and worked with a number of E40’s artists including Turf Talk and J Mennix. I worked with the official voice of the Bay in Mike Marshall.


Dubcnn: You had a song with Mike Marshall (I GOt 5 On It; Timex Social Club), how did that go down and what was it like recording with Mike?

I was honored to work with Mike and the session was so powerful. I told me that he worked out of a small studio when he recorded “I Got Five On It” and our confines were extremely similar. He was such a perfectionist and he pushed me to new limits that I strive for today in the booth.


Dubcnn: Tell us about your own energy drink line, Swag Juice.

Swag Juice is a takeoff on my last album “Its My Swagga.” I was offered an opportunity to have my own energy drink based on my Internet presence and my management team came up with the name and we soft launched six months ago. We have garnered a lot of attention in a short period of time with limited marketing and resources. However, the product is well positioned to impact in the marketplace. We are negotiating with a number of distributors domestically and internationally. Swag Juice – “Put Some Swag In Your STEP!”


Dubcnn: What project or projects are you working on now, any major collaborations?

I am working on my new album “Swaged Out” coming soon on Hoopla Media Group, LLC/Universal Records. I have been concentrating on doing me in the booth and working with Desmond Map, Spice 1, Big V, Tan D, and Mike Marshall. My production has stepped up on this project with tracks from Epidemic, C Major, FoKiss, Mike Mosley, Traxx, and Bennie Owens.

Dubcnn: Can you speak on your overseas fame?

I have a huge internet presence on MySpace with over 2 million views and over 1 million plays. A number of internet radio stations request my music and stream around the world. I number of DJ’s have interviewed me on the air in the Germany, Poland, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. We are currently working on a 360 licensing agreement that will add a new dimension to my musical career. I am hoping to tour soon internationally.


Dubcnn: What are some of the big things you've accomplished so far, musically?

My biggest accomplishment thus far is sticking to the grind. I have been discouraged a number of times because people promise you the moon and deliver nothing. So, my belief and strength in god has pulled my through, plus my father’s nurturing advice has been a blessing.


Dubcnn: Who is the best female emcee in your opinion?

The best female emcee besides me *laughs* is Missy Elliott. She is versatile and very unique. I pride myself on being unique and having the mainstream be accepting of my music would be icing on the cake. I do not listen to many current artists in my genre because I am always expanding my musical taste and I am constantly striving to push the boundaries within my soul.


Dubcnn: Who are some artists you'd like to collaborate with?

I would love to collaborate with Mary J, Missy Elliott, E-40, Tech9ne, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill to name a few.


Dubcnn: Where can readers catch up with you at?

You can reach me at MySpace or Twitter or YouTube/.


Dubcnn: Do you have any final thoughts for our readers?

Stay tuned and look for major moves coming soon.