By: De’Arbreya Lee, Brooke Kelly & Jennifer White
Staff Writers
Although radio stations are heavily dominated by male rappers, Jackson, Mississippi’s own 97.7 has been spotlighting female emcee, Lady C, since age 15.
Coming into the game at the age of 10 through inspiration given from listening to her older brothers, Crystal McGrew, a senior elementary education major, has made a name for herself.
Lady C, who has performed in 20 states since beginning her career eight years ago, got her first start on the airwaves with the single “Rice Crispy” which included brother and rapper Yung Pigg.
“I got started when I was 10 years of age”, said McGrew, now a 22 year old college student.
Other than her hometown of Jackson, Atlanta is one of McGrew’s favorite cities to perform in. When on stage, McGrew says the crowd reaction is one of the best parts of performing.
McGrew says she likes to rap about life, clothes, and having fun.
Looking at the current state of female rappers in hip-hop, the doors haven’t always been welcoming. The 1980’s and 90’s gave birth to many of raps greatest female emcees and while Young Money artist Nicki Minaj has stepped on the scene as raps newest big female rap success, much of the music crowd today is still waiting for the emergence of a dominant female rapper.
“I like the old school folks really,” said McGrew who recalls Mia X as one of the first female rappers she admired.
While older rappers have most influenced McGrew, she said, “I have to respect Nikki Manaj because she’s holding it down for the ladies….what female rapper you know made a million off a mixtape?”
McGrew believes making it big in the rap industry can be difficult for women because record companies often judge females on their looks.
“It’s very hard,” said McGrew about making it into the industry, but she isn’t letting that stop her.
“I totally disagree [with how things work], but at the same time that’s how it goes,” McGrew, who recently lost 16 pounds said.
“Suck it up like a champ,” is how she says she deals with the music industry’s demands on female artists.
“Practice. Practice. Practice. Rehearsal. Rehearsal. Rehearsal,” said McGrew on her philosphy to improve her skills and performance.
After graduation, McGrew would like to move to either New York, Atlanta, or California to take her music career to the next level.
If you like to purchase Lady C’s album “Diamonds, Crystals and Pearls,” log on to the website www.lady2dac.com to purchase the album for $10, or individual songs for one dollar on i-tunes. This Sunday, McGrew will be performing at Dreamz JXN in downtown Jackson at 6 p.m.
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