"There was a time when females had a say so, Shelly was there...She has seen it all. once selected by Vibe Magazine as one of the hottest MySpace rappers to her fans that cross the entire Carolinas, Shelly has done it and then some. Recently winning Carolina Music Awards Best Female MC, (www.CarolinaMusicAwards.com) to now hosting her own TV show. Shelly is a True Blue Caroline girl. Catching up with Shelly at the first annual Radio One convention in Raleigh, NC, Shelly shared with us and her fans what she's been up too and why she's "So Carolina". Visit her atwww.Myspace.com/ShellyB1

* Follow us at @BrmHipHop

The Gods have spoken ʹ Shelly B ʹ Inspiration for Women who grind for this rap $Hy%!!

by Ted D͛basi

For over 30 years Rap music has inspired a generation of power players to take the stage and present themselves to the world for all to witness. Some may say the male dominated and machismo of Rap Music often plays the role of the Club bouncer when it comes to letting women in Rap music. There have been some true female pioneers for Rap Music. Those who have told the bouncer to take five I’m on the VIP list only to get into the Rap game and show these men how it’s done. So we must shout out all the pioneer sisters who’ve paved the way. So in order to fully appreciate this female pioneer for the Carolinas one would have to look at her humble beginnings, her unwavering grind and notorious work ethic to truly appreciate Shelly B. A yearly award recipient in the Carolina’s ʹ Carolina Music Awards 2008 -2009, North Carolina Underground Music Awards 2008 ʹ 2009. Nominated for various other awards throughout the southern this talented Diva is more than just a well packaged artist for the masses. There is definition and substance to her words, her ethics, her relationships in the industry and her grind. If you don’t know you will after reading this interview Shelly is the real deal as the Gods have spoken͙͙.

Beyond Race:

You been labeled the Queen of Carolina Hip Hop for quite some time how have you been able to

maintain this honor and what will you do to continue to carry the Carolina's for Women in Rap Music.

Shelly B:

I think all artists have different formulas for success and their ways of going about maintaining progress.

In anything I set out to do, mine has always been keeping God first, believing in myself, working for

myself and working as hard as if every day is my last. A title means nothing, but it is everything to have

been able to gain that respect, through genuine talent and work ethic. I think staying true as much as I

can to the grind and to the people is what keeps them in my corner. As far as continuing to carry the

Carolinas for Women of Hip Hop, I will continue to do what I’ve been doing never giving up no matter

how complex the game gets for us women. I will continue to represent us all, through the music, the

struggle of the grind, as well as continue to spread the message that we are just as strong as the men

without the Co Signs, the pretty face and bad bodies. I am confident in saying that my accomplishments

came from hard work and not image, and I will continue to hold us women down in that respect.

Beyond Race:

We've seen you on stage, TV, and hear your music throughout the Carolina's but who is Shelly B the

personality, the woman?

Shelly B:

A strong woman, one who has seen a lot of struggles, dedicated my entire existence to music and

making it since high school. Every day is about a grind to me rather it’s a 9 to 5, a studio recording, a

show performance, chasing an interview for my TV show or trying to break myself into another market

outside of the music. So there is a lot of seriousness to the Shelly B personality, but I do believe in

working hard to play harder. I have a lot of fun outside the image Shelly B. I am a shoe fanatic as I’m sure it’s rather evident from my new single [Shoe Fetish], and I am very into fashion, so I do lots of shopping with my spare time. I am a family woman, time divided amongst my immediate family, relationship and closest friends are very important to me as well. We bug out, cut up and have a ball. I love food, and I cook I was raised well thanks mom. I love to try exclusive restaurants, new movies and I am a Lifetime freak on Sundays. LOL. Other than that, it’s trying to stay on top of things always and staying focused on my business goals.

Beyond Race:

How long have you been in the Rap game?

Shelly B:

I have been a writer for almost a decade, playing around with the music. That doesn't include the grind or the pursuit of music as a career. I think I became serious in marketing myself and doing the foot work about 5 or so years ago.

Beyond Race:

Being a Woman in Hip Hop what is your overall opinion on how woman are portrayed, and do you feel there is a glass ceiling for women in rap music?

Shelly B:

I think that through a lot of the women that actually break through to a certain status, we are portrayed as dependents. It is as if we are dependent on the men, the images, the "sex selling" factor, dependent on the statistics of woman as a whole, and co-signs. Yes there is a glass ceiling, not just for woman in Rap, but women as a whole. Hilary said it best during her campaign for the presidential nomination. There is and always will be a barrier that represents struggle for woman breaking through something. There has also been lots of woman in Rap who have made cracks in that ceiling, paving the way, making us believers such as MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt N Pepa, Lauren Hill & Eve. These women proved that we can be businesses, movements, and move units real numbers and at the same time be inspirations and role models for other young girls/women to follow.

Beyond Race:

Let's talk Carolina, there is so much talk about Carolina not supporting their own artist but you tend to be the exact opposite as everyone is shouting your name, How are you able to overcome this obstacle?

Shelly B:

If I don’t see the support in a certain area or aspect, I just keep it moving on to the next. Yes of course we would like to see more unity. We’d love to see more regional artist who have earned their way breaking into commercial radio in their own cities for one example. But you can’t make people support you, you have to continue to do what you do and move from there. The music and the talent, the personality, the showmanship and grind will speak for itself one day, and that is what I strive off of. In additional to promoting the importance of support, and unity, that’s all I can do. My momma always told me to "plant ya seed and watch it grow".

Beyond Race: Who are some of the Carolina artist that has influenced you?

Shelly B: Wow! I could go on for days naming artist out here that have an influence on me. A solid grind in itself is a motivator every day. What drives me is to see another trying to get it, and struggling in the process but going harder than ever. Our whole movement, how we go unseen to the commercialized market is a motivator. I have built with just about every artist, producer, model, videographer, radio personality, DJ that there is in Carolina at some point. And If I’ve missed any it’s bound to happen soon to say the least. What’s real? is the uniqueness of that persons story, talent, focus, or grind and its inspired me in some way. Shout out to the Carolinas man.

Beyond Race: There has been talk of a re-invented and re-branded Shelly B, what is all of this about?

Shelly B:

Growing, that’s all. Every artist has to achieve growth to move forward. It’s time for Shelly B to move up to the next level in this game, in my career. A lot of what you all have witnessed with my career has been this young talent who has constantly pushed herself out there for the world to see. There has been no structures, no plan, most of the time no team, no artist development etc etc͙ just the love that I have for this being forced out of me through passion. I have graduated that era and acquired the team who truly has Shelly B's best interest at heart. I have thrown myself into this game with little knowledge of how things go at the beginning, so I had to go through many experiences that gave me the opportunity to learn and grow and understand the many different elements of it. You are about to see all of that progress within the new Shelly B Brand. You have seen Shelly B the rapper for years. Shelly B the business is about to be presented to the people. All I can hope for is acceptance and support.

Beyond Race: If you had the opportunity to do a song with three non-rap artists who would are they?

Shelly B:

Wow, how can I narrow that down GRACIOUS!! ummm, Nelly Furtado, Frankie Beverly , MJB..haha I don’t know those were off the top, there are dozens of artist period I’d love to work with, those are a few of my favorites.

Beyond Race: We have to ask cause the fellas want to know - are you single?

Shelly B: Do they really?? haha, I am truly focused on what I gotta do to succeed in this life.

Beyond Race:

You are considered in a lot of circles a MC and it's evident with your body of work that you are not afraid to go against a male mc on a song. Do you find it difficult to get your just due as a lyricist because you are a woman?

Shelly B:

Nope, not when I open that barrel and let the shots fly haha. I always gained respect once one experiences a Shelly B song, lyric, performance, freestyle etc. Of course from the first look or two people who have not heard my talent, I get noooo she looks like a singer, or she can’t rap. But that quickly comes to an end when I spit something. It’s fun lol.

Beyond Race:

For a long time Shelly B the artist has held her own with fashion trends without being over the top like most expect a woman MC to be. What is your take on the way woman Hip Hop artist are marketed in this industry, and how will you continue to go against the grain?

Shelly B:

I think that of course there can be more balance. There is a need for all types of music, concepts and looks in our genre. But right now and for a long time, women in hip hop have been marketed one way. I don’t knock one who might market themselves through a provocative image. Everybody had their way and so to each their own. I do feel that there should be room made and more open minds to the opposite or something different. I will continue to go against the grain by just doin͛ me.

Beyond Race: Where can people find more on Shelly B at?

Shelly B:

My grinding hours all day every day. www.myspace.com/shellyb, www.youtube.com/shellybtv www.youtube.com/bigtymetv100 facebook @Shelly Bulletz, twitter ShellyBMusic, get @ me.

Thinking of Texas, rarely do we think of the female MC. The State that has bought us the Geto Boyz, UGK, Chamillionaire, Rap A Lot Records to name a small few, but we never hear of a female MC rising from their ranks. We caught up with one who is doing her thing on the Indie level, Lady Legacy. Nominated for countless awards, she also puts in work in the community but don’t let her pretty face and strong eyes fool you. Legacy isn’t only her name; it is the mark she wishes to leave behind.

BRM- What's your name and what do ya friends call you?

Lady- Ms. Yolanda Eileen McRae is my name - people call me by whatever they deem is appropriate according to the business we may be conducting.  I'm a business woman.  Most of my peers call me Legacy. www.TheLadyLegacy.com

BRM- Where is u from, City State and where do you reside now?

Lady- I was born in Brooklyn, NY. I was raised in Austin, TX.

BRM- How did end up in Austin, Tx?

Lady- Military Grand brat.

BRM- How is the music market in Texas, what are some of the Pros and cons of that market?

Lady- Not really sure how the music market is in Texas because I am a Southeast U.S. Regional underground artist.  I don't spend a lot of my focus on Texas.

BRM- You were nominated for the Southern Entertainment award, that's a very great look. What prompted that nomination?

Lady- My involvement being an artist in rotation on Reewine Radio based out of Florida.  Came up with the idea that one of their radio shows, the Crunk City Mixshow could air live from the 2008 SEAs with DJ Splack and I could host.  I set it all up and it worked out fine.  I think that prompted that 2009 SEA nomination.

BRM- What is Positivity for Purpose? How did that come about?

Lady- An manifested idea that I could use hip hop to keep youth out of trouble and empower them to use better decision making skills in their everyday youth lives. It came about due to the continued media prompts every spring break pushing the issues of underage drinking that lead to deaths, pregnancies and other awful demises of our nation's youth.

BRM- In 2009 you participated at the SXSW; please give some insight on your experience.

Lady- I've participated in SXSW since 2006. It’s a good experience to know people from all over the world KNOW OF YOU even without the extra media coverage. lol.  That all the marketing strategies implemented throughout my career have been effective even though I am an underexposed but known artist.

BRM- How has the internet been a gift and curse to your career and development?

Lady- My company uses the internet to establish a point of contact for my fans, industry people and hip hop culture enthusiasts.  It’s been a blessing - an immense blessing.

Most of the producers I work with are not from Texas - the internet sustains my presence in other hoods through DJs from all over the world.

BRM- In your records we can hear a lot of pain, aggression and struggle. Let us in the mind of Legacy and what inspires your pen?

Lady- Pain, aggression and struggle? What songs you listening to?  What other people go through everyday inspires my pen.

BRM- Can you explain, what's Kick Butt coffee? Is it an event or something like a real coffee shop?

Lady-It’s a coffee house and live music venue with two locations here in Austin, TX. www.KickButtCoffee.com Master Thomas Gohring is the owner who also happens to own the largest and most successful martial arts school in Texas.

BRM- Outside of rap, what else you have working in your midst?

Lady- I own a four divisional production company www.1205Productions.com - I'm currently building the marketing division to serve other artists.www.YEMPromotions.com

BRM- Can you drop a jewel for that young artist on how to be successful in the coming year?

Lady- Take your behind to college and learn the basics of business, business management, accounting and buy books on "how to release an independent record under your own label" from Barnes & Nobles.

Read more on Lady Legacy at the following

www.1205productions.com
www.YEMPromotions.com