Taylor Bembery
Blue & White Flash / Variety Editor
When people think of the show “Love & Hip Hop,” the first thing that often comes to mind is the drama, the cat fights, and backstabbing. But don’t get it twisted; cast members Rashidah Ali, Winter Ramos, and Lore’l have a similar mindset – building their brand on and off the camera.
Rashidah, Winter, and Lore’l all were introduced to the third season of “Love & Hip Hop” through executive producer Mona Scott-Young. Lore’l, a Brooklyn born, upcoming rap artist, said she was apprehensive at first to join the show.
“The show doesn’t have the best representation for artists but after I thought about it, I thought it would be a real good platform for my music and I decided to go ahead and go forward with it,” said Lore’l.
Rashidah, a celebrity shoe connoisseur better known as the “Blinged out Bombshell,” and Winter, a veteran in the hip-hop industry, are no strangers to being affiliated with the show “Love & Hip Hop.”
Winter has a close relationship with Emily Bustamante and made an appearance on the first season of “Love & Hip Hop.” She thought that joining the show would give her the opportunity to give her testimony about the hard work, the headaches, and heartaches that come along with being in the industry.
“I felt like why not? I had something to talk about, I wasn’t in a relationship with anybody at the time or with anyone in the industry but I love hip-hop just as much as any of the other girls,” said Winter.
Despite the drama that we may see on the show, the three cast members seem to be focused on business. Lore’l recently dropped a visual for her song ‘Black and Gold’ via World Star Hip Hop and is promoting her mixtape, “Leading Lady” and her label: OTL.
“I was absolutely focused on building my brand. The drama definitely came and it was something I could see being a factor but I was too focused on getting myself out there. My music: “Leading Lady,” my Label: OTL; all that drama and other stuff was just going to pass. I was more focused with making money than drama,” said Lore’l.
Rashidah has several business ventures. She has worked with big names like Shaunie O’Neal, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Wendy Williams, Diddy and Cassie. From her company 5 Approved, to her online ‘get the look for less’ themed shoe store: encoreshoetique.com, and her t-shirt line Loyalty Over Everything, which will be launched on future episodes.
“You have to stay grounded and know what your ultimate goal is. But I was definitely prepared for the drama because that’s the way that I operate in life: hope for the best and expect the worse, nothing they have done has ever shocked me,” said Rashidah.
Winter has a book coming out April 2 entitled “Game Over” and has a clothing store that’s opening up in Pittsburgh, Pa. in the middle of March. She has made it clear that she doesn’t have any drama but said she would like for women to unite in the hip-hop industry.
If you are a viewer of the show, “Love & Hip Hop” might not seem too much of a girls club but some of the cast members are actually close off the camera.
Lore’l, who is new to the show, has a close relationship with Yandy Smith.
“I’m cool with Yandy the most, out of everyone. She’s good because she’s a good mentor because she’s already been on the show and has managed artists so I can always get two different sides of advice from her,” said Lore’l.
Rashidah said that she hasn’t really gotten close with too many people on the show but she has gained a new friendship with Olivia.
“Off film, I would say that I’m not close with anyone that I’m not showing a relationship with on the show. For instance, I like Olivia a lot, I just met her last week and we had a great connection. She was really down to earth and super cool. We text each other and things like that but we haven’t had a slumber party or anything,” said Rashidah
Winter is close with most of the cast members. She has been friends with some for quite a few years.
“Tahiry and I are cool. I’m friends with Raqi. Consequence and I have been friends for over 15 years and that’s how I met Jen,” said Winter. “Yandy and I use to hang out in college but I would say that I’m closest with Tahiry.”
To watch the cast of “Love & Hip Hop”, tune into VH1 on Mondays at 7 p.m.
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