Biography
"Rapper Robbi looks like a china doll but don't let her appearance fool you - this girl is tough as nails."
- Buzz Sports/Entertainment
"She has a spin to her records that even now I can't quite put my finger on, but I can say that I think she has something to powerful to ignore." - Editor in Chief, Voicesmagazine.org
"Indomitable as far as her music career is concerned" - Indian Express The North American Edition
Challenging traditional South Asian and Muslim beliefs from childhood while confronting a competitive rap industry for over 10 years, Robbi is determined to make her mark in the music world from her home of Chicago.
The petite East-Indian musician began writing songs as early as eight years old. Robbi's first performance was in a Mosque at the age of fifteen, when she recited an Islamic themed rap song. Her popularity in the asian-american community grew after winning the international YellowFist Asian writing competition (with over 10,000 entries) and being featured on the cover of Ivy League university magazine A.A RockZine!. Winning numerous rap battle competitions sponsored by educational organizations such as the Anti-Truth campaign, and ending each of her solo concerts by "freestyling" with the audience, Robbi gained tremendous respect from the underground hip-hop scene. Apart from exclusive concerts or battle competitions, Robbi has also performed for fashion show events such as Hollywood's Celebrity Fashion Designer Danielle Kelly (www.dk75raw.com). One of her most memorable performances was held with global hip-hop luminary KRS-One, who commended Robbi on her vision.
Robbi's songs have been featured on many of the world's top urban radio stations such as Chicago's WGCI 107.5 FM, along with much support from top college radio stations such as WHPK 88.3 FM and WNUR 89.3 FM. She has also starred in the documentary film"That Asian Thing" (www.thatasianthing.net) along with a soundtrack single for "Leg Before Wicket" (www.legbeforewicket.org), set to be screened across international film festivals. Aside from movies, Robbi is also familiar with the television world, as she has been appeared on the VH-1 Show "Miss Rap Supreme" in early April of 2007. Internationally speaking, she has been interviewed on Bollywoods Cable Television News Channel, "TV 9". Her first state-wide television appearance was on WFBT's "Masti Chicago" and "Desi Tunes" along with a LA/NY appearance on "Hot Wax Chicago" which broadcasted in March of 2007. She has also performed on several syndicated talk shows such as The Flabby Hoffman Show and The Chicago Rock Show. Robbi's LP "Speak" is now available on itunes featuring her hit single, "Suffocation". Her club single, "Get Ready" has charted #14 on the Lets Dance/IRS Music Pool TOP 50 Urban Chart.
Notable Television Appearances:
Vh1’s “Miss Rap Supreme” – Audition
India’s “Bollywood” News Channel TV 9 (www.tv9.net) - Interview
Illinois Indian Channel Anjali Tv’s “Masti Media” (http://anjalitv.com) - Interview and Performance
Manhattan, NY Hot Wax Chicago Channel 56 and 57 - Freestyle Commercial
Notable Radio Coverage:
107.5 W.G.C.I (www.wgci.com)
Winner of MC Battle
Sponsered From Red Mountain Dew
Q101.1 F.M (www.q101.com)
Fuke Afternoon Show
Winner of MC Battle
90.1 KPFT (www.generasianradio.com)
"Generasian Radio"
88.1 CKLN (www.ckln.fm)
"Word Of Mouth Show" and "Masala Mix"
Interviews and Freestyle performance
89.3 FM WNUR (www.wnur.org)
Dj Deluge's, "Winter Heat"
Interview and Freestyle Performance
88.5 FM WHPK (www.whpk.org)
Pugslee Atoms "Cta Red Line Radio"
Interview and Freestyle Performance
Fearlessradio.com
"New Music Binge Show" and "LoveBytes"
Interview and Freestyle Performance
Notable Press:
The Indian Express The North American Edition
(National Coverage)
The Eastern Eye
(#1 South Asian paper in all of U.K)
Buzz Sports&Entertainment (www.buzznews.net)
FLY NEWSPAPER (http://flypaper1.ning.com)
www.urb.net
www.thuglifearmy.com
Notable Movie Apperances:
"That Asian Thing"
www.thatasianthing.net
Interview and Performance
"Leg Before Wicket"
www.legbeforewicket.org
Song w/ Radiohiro in Credit Role
Clothing Line Affiliations:
www.desithreads.com
www.chicagosuicideclub.com
College Campus Performances:
University of Illinois at Chicago
Northwestern University
University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign
Columbia University
Harry S Truman College
Notable performances:
Headliner for Biggest South Asian fest in North America MMM! Festival 2008 Toronto, CA July 2008
American Headliner for Desifest Concert with 15,000 official audience members
- Dundas Square Toronto, CA 2007
Headlined Hollywood's "Queen of Kustom" Celebrity Fashion Designer Danielle Kelly
-Bon V Chicago, IL 2007 (www.dk75raw.com)
Cameo Appearance Concert Live with Too White Crew - Cubby Bear and 115 Bourbon St, 2007
Opened up for DJ Caffeine - Dance Factory's Dj 92.7F.M - Oasis 360, 2007
Collaboration Concert with "The Brickheadz" - Xcape, 2007
Freestyle Session Concert Live with KRS ONE - Funky Bhudda Lounge, 2004
Opened up for Funkadesi - University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003
Winner of "Anti-Truth Campaign" MC Battle - University of Illinois at Chicago, 2002
Winner of WGCI 107.5 FM MC Battle - University of Illinois at Chicago, 2002
Opened up for "I Was Born With 2 Tongues" - University of Illinois at Chicago, 2002
Winner of Yellowfist Campaign with over 10,000 Entries worldwide - www.2tongues.com, 2001
Finalist at MC Battle for "Hiphop Awareness Week" - University of Urbana at Champaign, 2000
Instrumentation
Robbi - Vocalist
Discography
Now available digitally through CD BABY and itunes
http://cdbaby.com/cd/robbispeak
SPEAK LP
1) INTRO
2) GET READY
3) School
4) Suffocation
5) Takin A Peek
6) Leech
7) Corporate
8) Choice
9) Egos
10) Corporate Trip
11) Takin A Peek (promo)
12) Suffocation Remix
Promotional CD
1) Suffocation 2) School 3) Takin A Peek
4) Break Free 5) Lisart 6) Conserv Mfs
7) Break Free w/ DJE
Dj Midknight I.B.C. Entertainment MIXTAPE
Featuring the track "Get Ready" -Robbi w/ DJE
Request 'Suffocation' on the following radio stations:
http://www.wnur.org
http://www.generasianradio.com/
http://www.hardcorejamz.com
http://www.hardcoremix.com
http://www.fearlessradio.com
http://www.tomaradio.com
http://www.bmsradio.com
http://www.uicradio.ws
http://chrwradio.com/
http://www.illunderground.com
http://www.newartistradio.com
http://www.kpsu.org
http://radio.depaul.edu
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/robbi |