The title of Anattitude magazine’s new issue “Hip Hop is…” could also be “the New York issue”, because most of the ladies featured are coming from overseas. But it’s just a coincidence even if it is where it all started…

Hip Hop love story

Anattitude is very proud to present the living legend Roxanne Shanté. For me as a publisher, but also Hip Hop history researcher, huge old school fan and deejay, it means a lot to have her in this issue.

It was the 14-year old Shanté who brought me back to Hip Hop in 2000. That’s late, some will say, and yes it is. I was sitting in my car, somewhere in Germany, on my way to buy some material to build up one of my exhibitions. At that time I was an art student. I was listening to the radio and a very young lady was spitting out of my boombox. I was like “wooaahhhhh what the fuck is that?” When I think about these 20 minutes… me standing alone in silence on a huge parking place and listening to that radio show, it still gives me goosebumps. I fell in love immediately.

I mean Hip Hop had me before, as a teenager with Yo! MTV raps, the early LL Cool J and Public Enemy. But this, what was coming out of my boombox was something completely different to what I knew before. This was something I could relate to 100%. So I was sitting in the car in front the DIY shop, but couldn’t get out of the car before this feature on Roxanne was over. And I was so happy. I cannot describe it. Yes I really felt like I found the love of my life… that sounds corny, but it’s so true.

From that moment on, there was no holding back. I started to dig around the globe for every records I could find. Strictly female! Hitting record stores is always my first activity when visiting a new city. And then I started deejaying in order to bring “my ladies” on the dance floor and let people jam to it. For me, it was like a reactivation of these old school rappers. I couldn’t believe that nobody else was playing this shit. At that time you couldn’t even find one hit on google on Roxanne, and she’s one of the most known MC’s from back in the day. She is the one who wrote history. When I finally found the classic – “Roxanne’s Revenge” 12 inch, it was like finding a buried treasure. Today it’s not a big deal (you can order it at discogs.com), but at that time, you had to dig through the whole record store to even find one record with a female MC on it.

So Roxanne was my jump-start. And she is not only a living legend, she paved the way for all of us with her amazing energy and “never afraid to battle or to diss attitude”. Even her decision to quit Hip Hop and to go for an education career means a lot. Her input is just amazing and I am more than happy to see her representing Hip Hop culture everywhere.

This is my little love story with Roxanne Shanté which launched my interest in this thing called “female Hip Hop”. From then on it was like a domino effect leading to create Anattitude magazine.

Anattitude #4 “Hip Hop is …”

But let’s come back to this issue… Julien asked me write something personal for Laid Back and for me working on Anattitude is a real personal thing. I mean, it would be really great if it would generate enough money to cover  all costs, but in the first place I started it to make a difference in the media, to show how huge we are and to prove that we make dope things. Once again, this issue is packed with ladies that I dig and who have been a part of Hip Hop culture for many years.

All of them are amazing, they all do great things to make our culture rich and richer. I could write another love letter for everyone …. but get your issue and you’ll see what I mean.

Hip Hop is about the MC… it’s Eternia – my favorite rapper wearing a skirt! She is one of the most charming personalities in Hip Hop, widely respected as one of Canada’s foremost lyricists. Shattering all stereotypes, Eternia’s aggressive style lies in stark contrast to her feminine appearance.

Hip Hop is Casey, one of the most acknowledged MCs in France. Not only do Hip Hop heads adore her, that’s the amazing thing, she is such a hardcore MC with such a strong attitude and presence that her lyrics are listened to by a lot of different people. It’s like having a history lesson with a serious caustic undertone.

Hip Hop is about breaking, it’s about the b-girl legend Rokafella who knows how to rock a fella. Her worldwide input in breaking is amazing! Her latest project “All The Ladies Say” is a documentary that highlights the lives of six iconic female b-girls from the USA.

Hip Hop is about the deejay, it’s about M.A.F.I.A., one of the most charming persons I’ve ever met, wearing her laces loose behind the turntables and as Sneaker Freaker’s first lady kicking it hard for the ladies. If you are somehow involved in “female Hip Hop” you cannot avoid her, someday, somewhere, you will meet her, because M.A.F.I.A. is all over.

Hip Hop is about graffiti, it’s about Indie184, a wonderful sista with a dope attitude on motherhood. Being the lady at the side of legendary graffiti artist Cope2 and having three kids, she is always on the run to keep it real for the ladies. Whether in the streets, on the tees or curating street art expos strictly female, come to her correct, cause as she puts it, “real recognizes real.”

Yes and graffiti is about another living legend, its about Klor. There is no need for words, everybody knows the 123 Klan. Legendary! Hip Hop is about education, Hip Hop is Toni Blackman, the Hip Hop ambassador, spreading Hip Hop education throughout the world.

And Hip Hop is also about photography, it’s about Texas, currently one of the most talented young photographers.

“Hip Hop is …” project

I am very proud that the readers of Anattitude are half male, half female, that was my aim from day one! This was also the idea for this “Hip Hop is…” project, to ask everybody to spread their personal ideas and thoughts about Hip Hop. This project makes me smile, because our culture is so huge and so rich, and has nothing to do with what we see in the mainstream. It’s more and vast!

“Hip Hop is …” t-shirts

To support the Anattitude magazine non-profit project please order our special T-Shirts made especially for this issue (see logo above). We proudly present the graffiti writer Toofly from NYC and the DJ, producer & beatmaker A Cat Called Fritz from Paris. Get your special shirt & support the movement.

Anattitude #4 release party

I hope to meet all of you at the “Supafly meets Anattitude” Hip Hop jam in Le Tavernier (Brussels) on October 17th. It will be a blast to jam with all of you and Yarah Bravo, Lefto, Beat Drunx, DJ Lyrik, Miki, Fatoosan, Kool Koor, Lizairo and b-girl Yiphun and b-girl Stormy. Thanks so much for this incredible “Belgian” support to make this event happen! A big shout-out to JoBee, who initialized the whole idea and lots of love to the whole Supafly crew! You girls are just amazing!

Thanks also to all the contributors who helped to make this inspiring issue and to Julien for giving me the opportunity to present Anattitude on Laid Back. This also means a lot to me, because I knew nothing about Brussels when I arrived here, but a friend of mine in my hometown Frankfurt (holla to Denis) said ”Jee check out the Laid Back radio, these guys are just amazing”… and so I did in 2005, and from then on, Laid Back became my most favorite radio program.

Anattitude #5 – the London issue

Yeah, I wrote a lot, I hope not too much… and last but not least, Anattitude will move to London end of the year to make another special issue, this time it’s about London. I cannot wait to dig into the British Hip Hop scene. So hit me up if you are somewhere around London, I very much appreciate all the support, and all contacts!

Hip Hop is life. Hip Hop is bigger than a box. Yo that’s what it is …. Hip Hop is simply life.

Much love,

Jee

Anattitude #4 “Hip Hop is…” comes as a special double issue (download press release): A 60 pages magazine plus a special “Hip Hop is…” booklet with 44 quotes on what Hip Hop is all about. Officially available on the 19th of October.

Order your copy of the magazine or check the list of shops selling it.
More about Anattitude: website – facebook

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