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Jacki-O Interview

The Official Home of the Femcees caught up with Miami Hip-Hop emcee Jacki-O to discuss everything from making music to celebrating birthdays, and from Rihanna to Remy. This is something you should read, ladies! Jacki-O has some knowledgeable information for you all.

Official Home of the Femcees: What's up Jacki? How's everything been for you since the release of Lil Red Riding Hood?

Jacki-O: Same grind, an independent album for me is a stepping stone to
more challenges.

OHOTF: You have a birthday celebration coming up. What have you done to prepare for that?

Jacki-O: Oh a B-day bash at Club Ink in ....Miami...., which caters to the gay community, that night and hanging out with friends and family.

OHOTF: It's approaching the winter holdiay season. Have you gotten ready for that yet?

Jacki-O: I live in Miami. We have summer year around, but when I travel I do prepare, though. Furs, leather, skins or for my boots and jackets because they can take the rain and snow, and I usually take a lot of vitamin c to prepare, too. Lol.

OHOTF: What's the most important thing you'd want for Christmas?

Jacki-O: Can I pick more than 1? Lol. I dont wanna sound like I’m a contestant for Miss America, but I’d like to end the A.I.D.S. epidemic, help abused women and children, homeless, cure the recession, and free innocent people from our corrupted judicial system.

OHOTF: Most, if not all, female rappers have a strong gay following, especially flamboyantly gay men. For you, is that something you meant to accomplish or do they just flock to you?

Jacki-O: I’ve had gay friends and family for as long as I can remember, so bits and pieces of them come thru in my music and they can relate.

OHOTF: In 2005, at the studio where you and Foxy had the fight, you were recording a song with Gravy. Did you guys finish the song and do you and Gravy still speak?

Jacki-O: Yes we're (gravy and I) are still friends, and no, we never finished that song unfortunately.

OHOTF: You had beef with Foxy and Khia in the past. Do you have any ill feelings towards them now?

Jacki-O: Not the one to hold grudges, because hate is just a wasted emotion. So no not really, unless they just happen to do or say something stupid again.

OHOTF: Why do you think Khia still disses you? It seems to come out of nowhere.

Jacki-O: Well perhaps she’s angry inside and wishes her life was different. I can’t answer that question that requires a shrink.

OHOTF: You seem to have always had a good relationship working relationship
with Trick Daddy. Are you guys planning on any future music?

Jacki-O: No, not planning anything at this time.

OHOTF: Outside of music, writing and entertainment, what other hobby do you
enjoy on your spare time that your fans don't generally know about?

Jacki-O: Oh, I love outdoor things like boats and jet-skis. I like to workout a lot andIi also like movies. I can just about quote any well known popular movie word for word. Lol.

OHOTF: Though you're a Hip Hop emcee, your music ranges from Pop/Dance to R&B. Who and what inspires your broad range of music?

Jacki-O: Music is in my heart and it comes out differently, I guess.

OHOTF: What's your thought process in writing and producing music?

Jacki-O: I first listen to a track, and then I try to feel it differently than the average person would. I keep it loaded up on Pro-tools and just listen to it over and over.

OHOTF: Are you part Haitian? If so, would you incorporate Haitian Zouk, Kompas or any ..Caribbean.. music into your catalog of music?

Jacki-O: Yes, but I dont speak it well, lol. So that part of my family picks on me. As far as addin it to songs? I have, they just sound funny.

OHOTF: You've been supported with mainstream major backing, but went independent to have control over your own music. If you were asked by a major label or a popular indie label, such as Koch Records, would you take the deal and if so, under what circumstances?

Jacki-O: I would entertain an indie, yes; however, I would have to submit my own contract to them, lol. Reason is, is that it’s very hard to take this industry serious when it comes to this game. You have fun, make money and do what you love. The moment it becomes too technical, you loose the want to do it. And I don’t wanna not love what I’m doing.

OHOTF: You have a new mixtape coming out called Ms. Pacman Money Hungry. When is the tape dropping?

Jacki-O: In a couple weeks I’mma drop..shhh....

OHOTF: Your mixtapes have a lot more original music in comparison to most. Why do you choose to record much more original music on your mixtapes instead of recording on a popularized instrumental?

Jacki-O: Never know one might be a banger! And if its done on previously released tracks, you have no right to own it.

OHOTF: In the 80s and early 90s, many femcees, such as MC Lyte and Queen
Latifah, were very tomboyish. In the mid 90s through the early 2000s, femcees were expected to run with a male crew and/or have a male mentor to mold and write for them; such as Kim, Foxy and Trina. How would you describe the group of femcees who came out in your era; such as you, Remy, and Ms Jade?

Jacki-O: Strong, independent and determined. That’s what we are. Don’t get me wrong, some females are truly blessed to have teams backing and supporting them. That’s what’s needed; however, in Remy and my situation, we felt like we weren’t being treated well. The books weren’t right. I can be changed by what’s happened to me, but refuse to be reduce by it.

OHOTF: What type of femcee movement do you see ushering in the next era?

Jacki-O: None, if we don’t stop being catty and learn to deal with each other. We ain’t gotta like each other for whatever reasons, but working to keep females relevant in the game is our job. What each female, old or new, fail to realize is that this Hip-Hop thang is bigger than just us. This is a culture that has been going on for over 25 years now. It’s not a baby. It has grown bigger than I’m sure people had originally expected, and it will continue with or without any of us. Look at the awards. Female Hip-Hop barely exists. No one female makes up Hip Hop- never did, never will. You can’t mention Queen Latifah without mentioning MC Lyte, or Salt-N-Pepa. With that being said, the femcee movement will not survive much longer without U-N-I-T-Y.

OHOTF: Rihanna recently and finally spoke on the domestic violence Chris Brown
displayed in their relationship. What advice would you give to a young
female, like Rihanna, facing a domestic violence dispute with a lover?

Jacki-O: Love is a funny thing and the heart is the most fragile muscle in our body. I feel for her, but I’m sure he probably acted out on her before (just not publicly,) and she continued to be with him. No one wants to leave someone they love, but you have to get out at the first signs of verbal and physical abuse. I’d rather have a broken heart than a broken head.

OHOTF: Blog sites have blown up in the past few years and replaced many
magazines and newspapers. How have internet bloggers affected your
music career?

Jacki-O: I think it’s great it. Actually helps independent artist promote themselves without spending up budgets.

OHOTF: Also, Twitter within the last year has gotten really popular. What are your thoughts on Twitter?

Jacki-O: It’s cool to a point. Not really into telling people ALL my moves, lol. I dunno, could be a lil scary.

OHOTF: You're probably one of the closest people to Remy Ma in the industry.
What's the last thing you've heard regarding Rem's jail situation?

Jacki-O: She’s a strong person, so I’m sure she’s doing well and coping the best she can in a bad situation.


OHOTF: Speaking of Remy, you, Remy and Shawnna had a group formed that broke
apart in 2007. Do you have any of the records you did with Remy and/or
Shawnna that haven't been heard before?

Jacki-O: Yes we do, but until we speak to each member on releasing them, they are in catalogs for now.

OHOTF: What advice would you give to an up coming female emcee, or any artist of any genre for that matter?

Jacki-O: Stay independent and get a lawyer.

Roxanne Shante Reveals Breast Cancer Battle

Posted by BoomBox Staff

On the heels of debunked claims that her record label paid for her college education, veteran rapper Roxanne Shante is revealing that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The 40-year-old first noticed a lump in her breast earlier this year, but did nothing about it for months. "In March, I noticed a lump in my left breast, rather small at the time and didn't really know what I was feeling," she said in an interview with AOL's Black Voices. "So instead of going straight to the doctor's office, I started asking friends their opinion and trying to go by their experiences. It was such a stupid move. Well, I figured I was just getting older. A hysterectomy in my early thirties led me to believe that I would be fine. Another stupid move."

Shante goes on to say that she was in denial at first, and lost 40 lbs before finally going back to the doctor in August. She had a mammogram done and later received an urgent letter from the lab. She was told that the lump was indeed cancerous. "I felt all eyes were on me to tell women how important it is for them to get checked. It is only by the grace of God that I have been able to survive."

The '80s rapper also used the interview as an opportunity to inadvertently address allegations that she lied about having her former record label, Warner Music, pay for her education. "Do I apologize? Yes, I do. But I am not asking for your forgiveness," she said. "I am sorry about a lot of things that I should've done differently. There were quite a few things that have been exposed with that article; the fact that I never received any royalties, the fact that I did go on to attend college (even if no Ph.D. Was acquired), and the fact that at 14 years old and coming straight from the group home, I went on to create a career that even after 20 years of not making a hit record, was still pulling headlines.

"To be called Dr. Roxanne Shante was, and is, a privilege. But with that privilege comes pressure. I also had to live and talk like someone with a doctorate -- not an easy task at all. I had to make sure that people felt healed and inspired after speaking with me. So, yes, I apologize to all those who applied themselves and put in all the hard work that is required to acquire a Ph.D. I admire you all. But don't discredit all the hard work and sacrifices so many others have also done to also reach their goals."

Unfortunately this latest story has been met with some skepticism, as some are unsure if she isn't merely looking for more publicity.

As a teen Shante, born Lolita Shante Gooden, gained popularity for breaking into the male dominated industry. Her most noted songs was the dis record 'Roxanne's Revenge,' in which she responded to rap group U.T.F.O.'s song 'Roxanne Roxanne.' Shante is also the founding member of the group Juice Crew. She released two albums 'Bad Sister,' in 1989 and 'The Bitch Is Back' in 1992 before stepping out of the spotlight.

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