Stacy Epps: the Art of an Emcee

Controlled art besmirches artists’ identities.

A true artist knows who they are and their convictions are displayed through their music. When it comes down to artist representation, outer depiction is reflected from an inner experience. In other words, what’s flowing in both mentally and spiritually will determine the value of your lyrical flow. “With me it’s all about reality, being down to earth and knowing that we all share so many experiences and emotions. Through our shared reality we can come together and unite to make positive changes in society. That is why I dedicate my life to the art of emceeing, because I am a messenger of light and love and hope that I can touch even a few people,” this being the manifesto of Stacy Epps.

Who is she? She’s the new voice of hip hop. A female icon that brings lyrical value yet with a respected image, she still has to experience the struggle to stand firm as a female emcee. “Unfortunately, the women are not put in the forefront and have to struggle to get heard and get signed within the industry. Historically, labels do not see women as profitable & therefore do not sign them. But many female emcees have shown the potential we have to create universal music that all people can enjoy. We need positive role models now more than ever, and especially women; people that our young girls can look up to and hear speak their mind. The current image of women in Hip Hop in the commercial industry is as “groupies” or very sexual scantily clad models. This is our dominant position right now. I say this to mean that you will see more women in this role than you will in the role as a female emcee or leader within the movement.”

Can you name five female emcees? Most rattle off the typical three, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Trina, but when you suggest naming female emcees that have contributed something positive to the culture, is when you really see people begin to struggle. “Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Salt n Pepa, Lauryn Hill, Bahamadia, Mystic and countless others have shown the ability of dope female emcees to shine and make their voices heard. This is more important now than ever. I know so many dope female emcees that just don’t get the attention they deserve like Bahamadia, Invincible, Mystic, Emoni Fela, Tiye Phoenix and more.”

In the midst of hip hop, representation is definitely controlling the growth of our present generation, and in regards to female emcees, their image reflects a lot more than on themselves. There is a responsibility that female icons have. Who will lead and where are the values we see coming from? “It is on us as female emcees to make this an issue and raise our voices to contest this series of events and not just let it continue on. I am committed to be a part of this effort.”

Epps was introduced to hip hop at an early age. Like many, she was attracted to the freedom and strength of the culture. It was the expression that gave a voice to the community many artists’ spoke of. Issues such as gang violence, poverty, education and family life allowed the culture to become a very precocious community. “When I was younger, I was drawn to the strength of the vibe and culture, the ‘freshness’ and the unique sound. There was a freedom in Hip Hop that existed nowhere else. Hearing emcees like KRS 1, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, I was inspired by the message, the words, and the style. I knew this was a higher level of communication. Very spiritual and a direct response to the difficulties our communities were facing due to so-called “reganomics” i.e. crack, guns etc. It showed me that we had a voice and could speak to the people about exactly how we were feeling and that people would listen. It had such a pride and good energy towards it you couldn’t help but be drawn to this music. The lyrics man, wow, they really moved me, and from then on… well… it’s been on!”

Her focus is on the most high and her drive is nestled within. Her talent could be determined as natural though she’s insatiable when it comes to knowledge and sharing it. Despite the fact that she hasn’t been in the game long, she’s worked with many artists and producers alike that all have the respect from the music community. “I have been blessed to work with some very, very talented individuals worldwide. Scienz of Life really groomed me on learning the indie biz and the art of recording and doing for self. I am forever indebted to them for the strong foundation they shared with me. I was on their “Project Overground” album on about 4 tracks (some of my earliest work! Then Lil Sci and I created the group Sol Uprising and we did an album called “Sol Power.” I also did a track with the Prophetix a dope group from ATL. I was blessed to work with MF Doom on the King Gheedorah “Take me to Your Leader” album also featured on the album he did with Madlib, the Madvillain Project. Worked with OH NO (Madlib’s little brother) on his album “The Disrupt”. Did a lot of work with Wildchild, we have a project in the works right now. I recorded songs with Madlib and also worked with Jneiro Jarel on his Dr. Who Dat “Beat Journey” project and also his upcoming album. I work very closely with Apex a dope producer out of D.C., he did like 4 of the tracks on my upcoming project. I recorded some songs with Georgia Anne Muldrow, the gifted and talented Muhsinah as well, she produced a song on my album. Flying Lotus produced a joint on the project. Goodness, there are so many dope people I worked with, I guess I’ll just start listing; Bilal Salaam, S1, Pharcyde, Baatin, Cris Prolific, Invincible, Finale, DJ PudgEmcee, Amdex, Jazz Liberators, Bembe Segue, Emoni Fela & the Epsilon Project. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone, but all are fresh!”

Upcoming is her first solo project entitled Eppisode 1: The Awakening that is expected to drop winter 2007. No mainstream diplomacy, just pure hip hop to enlighten the listener. In her words, hip hop is alive and flourishing; on the independent tip however. “Hip Hop is evolving like every other form of music. I feel that the whole “hip hop is dead” thing was a big publicity stunt. Although I think it was healthy for us to sit back and reflect on the art form and see its current contributions to society. Yes, on the mainstream/commercial/major label side of things Hip Hop or should I say rap (that’s a whole other debate) is polluted with a lot of negativity and lack of creativity and progressiveness. But this is what happens when art is controlled by money, because at the end of the day these major labels have to make their bottom line, they have to pay their CEO $500,000 to $1 million/year… they have to pay their bills… so for them that is a very controlling factor. But on the independent side, I see Hip Hop alive and well. I see fresh talent worldwide flexing their skills and contributing to Hip Hop culture. There are so many positive community organizations working in the name of Hip Hop. So it’s definitely not dead. But the evolution is coming, music and culture is an ever-changing entity, so it is important to embrace the changes that arise. I see music moving to amazing new heights, an amalgamation of all types of sounds and the destruction of all rules and boundaries lines to create mind-blowing music for all people…soon come.”

Being influential isn’t easy. Sometimes we influence others unknowingly. On a recent trip to South Africa, Epps was able to get first hand the experience of seeing how influential she really is. “Wow, that trip truly changed my life!! I have never had such a beautiful experience as I had visiting Mother Africa. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to the homeland and it still affects me so deeply. I look back on that trip with love and still miss it. To actually be on a land that was HOME for people truly. People were truly connected to the land in that they knew their ancestors had walked that earth. There was a deep spiritual connection to nature and the incredible abundance of nature in that space. I was taken aback at how huge Hip Hop was out there and how much of the independent music they were into. It amazed me that my first night at a Hip Hop club, a young brother came up to me and was like, “excuse me are you Stacy Epps?” I was truly blown away!! But it really showed me how far our music travels and the importance of our voices throughout the world. This music we create is a serious thing!”