On the heels of Yelawolf’s and Mac Miller’s success as Caucasian MCs, there are a bevy of white women MC’s scratching for their chance to impress Hip-Hop’s cranky fans. The question is, between the top contenders Kreayshawn, Dessa, Iggy Azalea, V-Nasty and K.Flay, which young lady is worth her salt in rhyme and has the players in her corner necessary to crossover? Here’s a peak at the race.
Click the #’s below to see their credentials.
Photo: Twitter
Iggy Azalea
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Atlanta, GA by way of New South Wales, Australia
LABEL: Interscope
OFFICIAL DEBUT:The New Classic
CO-SIGN: T.I.
STORY: An Australian with the face of a Barbie and the body of a Adult Videos star, Iggy has one mixtape entitled Ignorant Art and a mess of YouTube videos under her belt. Her single “Pu$$y,” about the skills of her nether region, has racked up over 76,000 views on YouTube and her lyrical talents are solid, she even speed raps as MC’s love to do these days.
CHANCE: Her glossy look is ready for commercial success and if her rhymes remain solid and mature, she might break through.
Kreayshawn
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Oakland, CA
LABEL: Columbia
OFFICIAL DEBUT:Life With Loopy
CO-SIGN: Snoop Dogg, 2 Chainz, Lil’ Wayne
STORY: Born to a Rock N’ Roll mother, Natassia “Kreayshawn” Zolot began in the art world as a video director and transitioned into Hip-Hop in 2010 when she released her first mixtape Kittys & Choppas, housing the hit, “Gucci Gucci.” The song was so successful that Kreayshawn joined Columbia records last year, rapped alongside Snoop Dogg and 2 Chainz and almost directed a video for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hell, even her friend, the n-word slinging V Nasty is famous/infamous now, thanks to Kreay.
CHANCE: She’s had plenty of time to craft a “Gucci Gucci” follow-up but nothing’s materialized. Get to work Kreay Kreay.
K.Flay
AGE: 26
HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, NY by way of San Francisco by way of Chicago, IL
LABEL: None
OFFICIAL DEBUT:Eyes Shut EP
CO-SIGN: Beastie Boys
STORY: K.Flay, ne Kristine Flaherty, was raised outside of Chicago and is the quietest of the bunch. A double major at Stanford University, she put aside her books to create music, which she produces herself, that showcases her cerebral rhymes that skew a bit indie rock. Remixing Beastie Boys songs like “Don’t Play No Game You Can’t Win” featuring Santigold and releasing two EPs (Eyes Shut, K.Flay) and four mixtapes (I Stopped Caring In ‘96, Fawk And Run, Mashed Potatoes, 2 Weak), K.Flay doesn’t seem worried about ready-made images but rather crafting behind the boards.
CHANCE: With no concrete commercial look or celebrity backing to boast, K.Flay is relying on her production and lyrical talent to push her work into the hands of fans.
V-Nasty
AGE: 21
HOMETOWN: Oakland, CA
LABEL: None
OFFICIAL DEBUT:BATYL
CO-SIGN: Gucci Mane, Kreayshawn
STORY: Vanessa Renee Reece, better known as V-Nasty, was relatively unknown until she appeared in Kreayshawn’s rap crew White Girl Mob. But it was the rough and tumble Vietnamese-Caucasian young lady’s penchant for using the word “ni**a” that really made her popular and deplorable. After showcasing her skills through the mixtape Don’t Bite Just Taste and the joint album BAYTL with Gucci Mane in 2011, she’s relatively quiet now, thank God.
CHANCE: With the publicity of her fondness for the word “ni**a,” not much.
Dessa
AGE: Unknown
HOMETOWN: Minneapolis, Minnesota
LABEL: Doomstree Records
OFFICIAL DEBUT:Castor The Twin
CO-SIGN: NPR
STORY: A member of the Midwest ensemble Doomtree, Margret Wander known as Dessa has been rhyming and singing for almost a decade. Her debut A Badly Broken Code was her first offering, followed by Castor The Twin and her upcoming as-yet-untitled LP due out later this year. Mixing singing, rhyming and performance art into one show, Dessa’s seems to stand firmly in the arthouse genre.
CHANCE: Utilizing Ani DiFranco’s love of National Public Radio, Dessa will most likely eek out a niche fanbase.
