Artists Interview

Talented, legend in the making, unique. These are some remarks which have regularly been associated with up and coming Hip Hop artists Erykah Jane’e. She has received recognition from Hip Hop legends such as Jay Z and Mos Def, giving her the title the ‘beast of the new school’. In the process of her mount to success we were able to have a conversation with the Grammy nominated artist on her feelings of the hip hop industry and her resent New York take over with her music and fashion.

First of all I would like to say congrats on your recent Grammy nomination, for best hip hop song of the year and best new hip hop artist, how does it feel?

Thank you so much, firstly I would just like to say a big congrats to my competition they are amazing artists! You know it means so much to me that I’ve been nominated; I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am right now. It hasn’t been easy at all but I will say it has been worth it. All those late nights and early mornings have made me the woman I am today.

As a new artist how do you fight for a place in the Hip hop industry, to be recognized and considered as a valuable contribution to the genre?

The industry is hard, and it’s even harder for a female, the fight we have to go through to even get recognition is even harder, because we are expected to conform to the males distinct taste as to what type of female they’d like to see perform. I think my music speaks for itself, I haven’t forced anybody to like my material which makes it even more special to me, to see that the people really genuinely enjoy my work. I think I’m considered as valuable contribution not only for the fact that I am fighting for the survival of what I know to be ‘real hip hop’ but I’m also being feminine with it. I use my male and female icons within the industry to help shape my image and assure I am continuing the valuable messages sent through their music into my own. I mean it’s a lot of responsibility when you think about it, but who else is willing to do it? Not to disrespect any female MC ,but Nicki for example (NICKI MINAJ) she focuses on the entertainment aspect of hip hop -purely, I feel like her message to the public doesn’t have value in terms of inspiration or depth it’s more of a fairy tale image, I’m trying to go against that and show the world what’s really good

We know you were born and raised in London; did the iconic city add and contribute to your style of rapping and the content of your lyrics?

Of course; London is my baby. Every sound that I’ve heard, every joke that was told helped build my distinct sound. I was raised in south London, it wasn’t the best environment but it had a lot of soul. My family are originally from Jamaica, so I was raised in a strict house hold and any time I felt like my mama’s wisdom was too much for my ears I would always go to my room open up my window, sit down and just close my eyes and listen to the sound of the buses and birds just flapping away. Now when I think about it, a lot of my sound represents some form of noise which I either grew up around or listened to in my own time. Like my hit song “southern reminisce”, I got the inspiration to use the sample T.R.O.Y from my mama, because every morning she would blast and rock in her chair to music and on a Saturday morning, she would specifically play at 9 am on the dot (laughs) Pete rock and CL’ smooth T.R.O.Y

Your fashion sense is something we have not seen in hip hop for a long time, I mean you have literally brought back an era of youth and comfort commonly associated with the 80s/90s. How do you feel being a current iconic figure within fashion alongside your music?

I love it; to know that I am a role model to young ladies makes me feel like I’m doing something purposeful with my life, besides my music. But I can’t claim this style as my own; I have to pay homage to my female idols like Diana Ross, queen Latifa, Aaliyah, MC Lyte and LIL Kim. Kim was a major inspiration actually, because she was she first female MC to be sexy and still have mad bars. She was a major game changer for the rest of us females and for that I am forever grateful. But you know I can’t forget my males (giggles), a tribe called quest’s style and unity was a massive aspect of my decisions in regards to dressing, they could make a plain comical shirt look like a part of a Versace collection and that always fascinated me.  

 You’ve released 2 Ep’s which took off in 2013, prior to your current developing album, which had a massive impact within the communities of New York, how does it feel to be a part of new York’s hip hop history?

It feels amazing! To know that I’m not even born here yet I’m being placed as a part an historic element of the state is crazy! I thank god every day for the opportunity that he’s given me. New York has shown me nothing but love since the day I arrived here, it feels like my home.

Who would you say are your top 5 hip hop inspirations of all time?

Ahh, Okay... I would say Biggie, Pac (tupac), lil Kim, wu tang, Nas. Their music is meaningful and special in my eyes, like Pac’s (tupac) song ‘do for love’ , beat wise it is so diverse and unlike any hip hop song you’ve ever heard because it focuses on the  vulnerable side off Pac which was rarely ever shown, it demonstrates the beautiful/ soft side to Hip hop. I mean as a female is much easier for me to do so but for males to be able to do that it’s quite sexy (laughs)

Well it has been a pleasure talking to you Erykah, thank you so much for your time, and I hope to here big things from you, when is the release of your album ?

Thank you so much! And of course you will (laughs), my album drops next year March 10^th 2016, just wait on it!