Robbi Style

A LOT of women find it hard to balance their culture with their professional life.

Although American hip-hop artist Robbi has also found it difficult,
She has managed to strike a balance. After being transferred to a private Muslim school for her defiant behavior, the explosive rapper’s first performance was
In a mosque at the age of 15, when she recited an Islamic themed rap song.

Described as a china doll who is as tough as nails, the Chicago-based
Artist has overcome cultural pressures to win a number of rap battles, gained tremendous respect from the underground scene and shared the stage
with hip-hop superstar KRS-One. Her songs have been featured on many of the top US urban radio stations and she is currently working with a Grammy-certified producer on her debut album. In her first major interview in the UK, the rising star talks about rap,
Trying to making it big in America and her first album.


1) What first connected you to rap music?


The pattern of rhyming first connected me to rap music. It was always fun for me to listen to, I was around 8 years old when I started doing it myself. I got connected to the rhyming since I would use that to make myself feel better about the environment I was raised in.


2) Why choose rap, isn't it usually negative towards women?


Most of rap music is negative towards women, but conscious hip-hop actually isn't. Look at emcees like KRS-One, Common, Del The Funky Homosapien, Sage Francis, Atmosphere and A Tribe Called Quest to name a few! I like the vocal rap style because it's fun to create along with the wordplay, rhyme scheme, metaphors, and delivery.


3) How would you describe your style of music?


I would describe my style of hip-hop music as primarily alternative and electronically influenced.


4) What has your ride in the music industry been like so far?


My ride in the music industry has involved a huge investment of my money, time and energy with a lot of sexism and doubt encountered along the way. But the same people that doubted me before, are now asking me when my next show is


5) What is the biggest challenge of trying to make it in the music industry in the USA?


The biggest challenge of trying to make it in the U.S. music industry is overcoming fear and hate by staying motivated. People who are less successful than you will try to knock you down, and people who are more successful than you will try to do the same. Also, mainstream media in the U.S. is geared primarily towards Caucasian pop artists, or African-American artists if they belong to the 'Urban' genre. The South Asian community is yet to be significantly exposed in the music industry, so when mainstream bubblegum listeners see me they get surprised, like 'Indian people do American music?'


6 / 7) Is it true your first performance was in a mosque? How much has your religious upbringing affected your music?


Yes, my first performance was in a mosque! My religious upbringing influenced my songs to be pretty Islamic themed until I went to college and realized that there was another world out there, and that I can be positive rather than just preaching religion. But even now, it has influenced me to send more revolutionary ideas, since the U.S. government has always had a tendency to bash the Muslim religion in their media.


8) What has been your most memorable performance?


My most memorable performance was sharing the stage with hip-hop legend KRS-One at Chicago's Funky Buddha Lounge. His aura is refreshing and very motivating. That man IS hip-hop! He invited people to get up on stage and freestyle so my friends pushed me on stage, he told the crowd to jump up so they could see me perform and then I started jumping up too, it was a lot of fun


9) You have been described as tough as nails, is that true?


My unawareness to negativity and stubbornness drives me harder to stay in focus, which by default makes me look like I'm tough


10) Is it also true that you're trying to challenge traditional South Asian beliefs, if so what are they?


I don't think there's anything wrong with being family oriented. In fact, I think it's

very healthy. But when you're oriented with a family that's orienting your entire lifestyle and dictating exactly on how you should think, I think that's when it becomes ridiculous. For example, the whole pre-arranged marriage system is based on what the parents think of the person you're marrying and that the bride & groom should love each other after they get married. Also, in the traditional community, I've noticed that it's often seen as 'cute' when a South Asian woman speaks her mind, since we're not taken very seriously.


11) Can you tell us about the album you're working on?


A few of the songs on my debut album are straight up hip-hop sounding, while the rest are more alternative. All the songs written have been inspired by true stories!


12) Who is it aimed at?


My music is aimed at everyone, though some songs are easier to relate to if the listener has been confronted with depression, bullying, and deception.


13) What is the master plan?


My master plan is to make a mark in history, while inspiring others to work towards their goal no matter what others think and how hard they try to pull you down.




14) Which music producers would you most like to work with in the future?

Timbaland and Missy Elliot are definitely two musicians I'd love to work with in the future

15) Tell us something not many people know about you?


Most people don't know that when I get into my workaholic mode, I drink lots of lemonade!


16) You're featured in a documentary titled 'That Asian Thing', which is being screened across international film festivals in 2007. Can you tell us about that?


The theme behind the 'Asian Thing' documentary that I'm featured in is basically recognizing the Asian-American community as artists and documenting our responses to the mainstream media's perception on Asian-Americans. You can stay updated on it by going to www.thatasianthing.com.


17) Can you tell us who your five favorite hip-hop artists are, with a short reason for each?


My five favorite hip-hop artists are:


C-ray Walz – I love his voice, his messages, intelligence and world play.


Del The Funky Homosapien – He has great originality in his flow and concepts, and balances humor with realistic messages.


Common – His rhyme scheme and narration is very inspiring, I feel awakened when I listen to him.


MC Lyte – Her existence alone inspires me, I think she's the best female emcee out there and her skills are pretty clever


Atmosphere – He has a very personalized style, when he raps I feel like he's right in front of me in the same room - Eastern Eye Author: Asjad Nazir