Ishe

Powerful female artists are scarce; too afraid to step forward and be different and many don’t realize the power they posses. A voice + a realistic image + authenticity in representation = power. That’s an easy equation to figure out, though many seemed to have missed the lesson.

To decipher her words wouldn’t be necessary; Ishe is starting a revolution…you ready?
“I come from a strong woman, who came from a strong woman and I am a mother of a daughter who will also be a strong woman. It comes natural. It’s in my blood.”

Scheme: How would you define your purpose?
Ishe: “I feel like my purpose in life is to Create. Women naturally are Creators because life comes through us. For me it’s the same with music…it comes through me. Many times I sit back & laugh when I’m listening 2 my music, because I’ll hear a line & be like “YO!!! THAT LINE WAS SO ILL!” Sometimes I forget it’s me! I can only take 1/2 of the credit, for I know it’s a gift, & I choose to uplift with it.”

Scheme: How do you set yourself apart? Remain true to yourself, and your music?
Ishe:“As far as authenticity, my philosophy is that in the entire world, there is not another me, nor has there ever been. So isn’t it ridiculous to try & mold myself into the likeness of someone else & attempt to undo the glorious work that the Creator has done for me? I have a line in one of my songs, & it says “If every singer sang the same note…there’d be no harmony…If I try to be like her…then who will be like me…” That’s my mantra. We all gotta’ be who we are! Do you to the fullest!”

Scheme: What are your views on image and representation when it comes to the female artistry?
Ishe: “Sexism is still alive & well. Now with that being said there comes a time when women have to reclaim our power…our worth…you know we give birth to these boys who become men, so we have to ask ourselves some questions, like: Why do we get disrespected so much? Why do we choose to disrespect ourselves? What do we need to do differently as women? There is a blatant disregard of woman, much beyond disrespect these days! We’re devalued, defaced; now our ass is much more common than our face!”

Scheme: If you could be candid for a moment and speak to women listeners…what would you say?
Ishe: “I wouldn’t say something to them, I’d sing something…a song I wrote entitled “RISE SISTAHS” 
Which reminds us women that we are all brilliant… divine…unique…authentic…sacred…& precious gifts…tailor made designed by the divine! Yet we are still reflections of one another.”

Scheme: Your inspiration allows you to remain motivated. What are you looking forward to in the midst of your rising career?
Ishe: “An abundance of goodness in all aspects of my life; I know my Creator has a master plan for me, so I just want to keep working’ & receiving my blessings! I’m working’ on some amazing things right now as well as music of course. I’m songwriting for established artists, I just finished a children’s book on natural hair (I’m so excited!) & my sister & I are about to launch a fashion line called DESIGNED BY THE DIVINE (designedbythedivine.com) just to name a few things.”

Scheme: Singing isn’t your only skill. You also design jewelry?
Ishe: “I love designing! It’s yet another passion of mine. My company is called “BE FLY BY I”. I’ve been designing/creating couture feather earrings for 6 years now. I am happy to announce that “BE FLY BY I” is now in Japan!!! My website is currently under construction, so for any inquiries about purchasing, please send me a message through MySpace.”

To sum it all up, what song of yours represents you right now to the fullest?
“Right now I’d have to say “GET RIGHT…OR GET LEFT” That’s certainly my never-ending anthem! It tells people who I am, what I’m about, & how I get down…If you can handle it, we can roll…if you can’t… you gotta’ go. It’s like come correct, or don’t come at all! I have HIGH STANDARDS…BECAUSE I’M WORTH IT!!”

Lupe said it best, “They said I got it honest, now I gotta give it LIFE.” Ishe is honest, pure and down to earth. There’s no mistaking her identity or image. Bridging the gap from strong women raising s t r o n g e r women takes patience. It’s beyond the image seen…it’s the image lived. As Ishe ended our interview, “Patience is bitter, but the fruit is always sweet!”