She’s a female in a male dominated industry. She’s a lesbian in a homophobic music scene. She keeps it “real” when others conform. She’s achieved great successes and done it independently. For Feloni, nothing has come easy, but with a strong sense of self, hard work, and honesty she has evolved into a gifted artist who is considered to be the “Godmother” of the “out” urban lesbian hip-hop movement. CherryGrrl.com recently discussed with Feloni her life, influences, and music and learned that speaking her mind isn’t something she saves just for her lyrics.
Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How did you first get interested in music and rap and how long have you been rapping?
Feloni: I’ve always been into music and sound from a very young age. My mother said when I was five months, whenever I’d hear music, I would try to snap my fingers. I love sound more so than words when it comes to music. I even like Chopin. I actually got into rap after hearing the Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” However, it wasn’t until I heard Queen Latifah that I actually wanted to rap.
CG: Where did you grow up and how did your life experiences there shape you as an artist?
Feloni: I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. When writing music, I always pull from the past and the present. What I write is actually based on real facts and real events that either someone I know or myself have gone through. Growing up in Detroit has made me very resilient because I had to learn and use street knowledge at a very young age for survival; you could easily get killed on the streets if you made the wrong choices. I also learned the value of having a strong business acumen, which represents the side of me that just loves the independent grind.
CG: What is the meaning behind your name?
Feloni: I get asked this a lot. I chose the name Feloni because, unlike a lot of my friends coming up, I never caught a felony. So it’s a play on irony. It’s a simple way of positively empowering a negative to the point of literally creating a new meaning. Kind of like what some black people try to do with the “N” word. Unfortunately, everybody don’t get it. In hip-hop, words rarely carry their denotative meaning.
CG: How would you describe your style of rap?
Feloni: It’s raw and direct. Simply rad.
CG: What is your opinion of the lesbian rap scene and how does it make you feel to be considered one of the top lesbian rappers?
Feloni: Prior to releasing my debut single “Brand New” in 05, there was no “lesbian rap scene.” I mean, not to the extent where lesbians were out there taking their craft seriously by trying to do it on a professional level – not even when I released my debut album “A Woman’s Revenge” in Feb 07 did I see that scene. I was the first to do it as an “out” urban artist. When people saw me on “Coming Out Stories” on MTV’s Logo, they were like, damn, she can possibly blow up! I’m going to try it too! I’m glad to have inspired that movement, though. However, some of the “lesbian rappers” are not keeping it real. They want the glam, fame, and fortune without the commitment to who they truly are. Being “lesbian” is an authentic experience. No one should be ashamed of it. Most lesbians I hear rapping are primarily studs, and they’re busy trying to clone the style of mainstream male rappers, talking about fake lifestyles. They’re not keeping it real. They’re trying to be “accepted” instead of focusing on being “respected.”
CG: Who do you consider to be your biggest influences when it comes to your style and lyrics?
Feloni: When Queen Latifah said, “Who you callin’ a Bitch?!” in her song “U.N.I.T.Y.” that really moved me! It was the confident and demanding manner in which she said it that sealed the decision for me to just keep it real. “Real” is always powerful. I also love Tupac’s style. He mastered the skill of being raw and poetic at the same time. I have the same capability.
CG: What are your fans like?
Feloni: I like that question. I talk to my fans on Myspace all the time. They tell me every day how much they appreciate that I’m humble. I have fans all over the world. Just read my comments. White, black, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese…you name it – that ethnicity is within my fan base. I even have straight male and female fans. I always say to my fans, “When’s the last time that major artist you have in your top took time out to send you a personal note or to say thank you for copping his/her album? I like that my fans can see me grow as an artist. I’ve only been in the game for a minute, but I think I’m doing good to have not had major media coverage.
CG: What is your favorite part of rapping?
Feloni: The freedom of expression.
CG: What other musicians/rappers are you currently listening to the most?
Feloni: Actually, I’ve been listening to M.I.A., Coldplay, Lupe Fiasco, and Saul Williams.
CG: Why do you think mainstream media outlets have yet to profile you the way they have other artists of your level?
Feloni: I think you should ask them. I mean, outside of obvious reasons, people have to understand the true nature of media. Mainstream media is primarily tied to the majors. That’s how they make money. So if you’re not a member of that club, you’ll need a damn good publicist. I have yet to go to a major label to get signed, nor have I signed a publicist. I don’t even have an agent! Although I have the means to get those things, personally, I think Myspace and the internet is much more powerful than traditional media outlets. We’re officially living the “Digital Revolution” now. My music spreads via word of mouth. That alone is a more powerful statement than any mainstream media outlet could make. Look…even [Cherry Grrl] found me without the majors. I feel I don’t need them because my primary goal is not to simply “make money.” I’m not an artist being “sold” to you or forced on you. To bring home my initial point, let’s take “Uh Huh, Her” for example. They have The L Word behind them. God-des & She – it was their appearance on The L Word that helped catapult their career. Get it? The L Word’s music producers, EZ Girl, even hit me up for music back in 05. However, they didn’t use it. You should contact The L Word and ask them why I never made the cut. Even some of my fans have asked me that question. You see, this also explains why I never made it in Curve Magazine. “The Best Selling Lesbian Magazine” is their tag. However, Curve Magazine became the number 1 best selling magazine after appearing on what? The L Word. Once again, there goes that “relationship” between mainstream media outlets and labels. Doesn’t it seem strange that I’ve never been profiled in “The Best Selling Lesbian Magazine”? Particularly when many of my fans subscribe to their shit. The NYC based, GO Magazine has featured me in the last three issues of their magazine, and they’re the most nationally distributed lesbian magazine. Nevertheless, I don’t sweat it because I have a growing fan base, and if I sell only 500 albums, I feel successful because it didn’t take the influence of a mainstream media outlet. Kanye West’s first experience as an “underdog” in hip-hop ain’t got nothing on what I’m going through as an “underdog.”
CG: You documented your coming out to your family in a television show for Logo. Why did you choose to share that experience and what was their reaction?
Feloni: Actually, I initially pitched the idea to Logo to feature a story about an out lesbian hip-hop artist. I thought it was groundbreaking because we all know that mainstream hip-hop is homophobic. I wanted them to document my plight. They decided it was groundbreaking too. However, they wanted me to fit in on another one of their shows called “Coming Out Stories.” So they combined the two stories. My father and brother’s reaction to me coming out turned out much better than I expected. However, the relationship with my brother, Tony, (the one who outed me to my oldest brother, Floyd) – our relationship remains strained. I will discuss that in more detail in my upcoming memoir.
CG: What is The Movement and how has your involvement with it affected your career?
Feloni: First, I want to make it clear that “The Movement” I speak of in my bio about a bunch of indie label CEOs from Detroit getting together to promote their artists on a national level was not a gay or lesbian group. The group actually consisted of Eminem’s best friend “Big Proof” of D12, and many other top rated rap artists in Detroit. I was voted in as the only lesbian, not to mention the only female CEO with my self-owned indie label, Trak Diamond Records.
Regarding the other “Movement,” my fans actually started calling me the “Godmother” of the “out” urban lesbian hip-hop movement. That’s not something I claimed. Of course, I claim it now, but initially it was assigned to me. I’m even described as that in the “Urban Dictionary,” where people have to vote you in. Time Magazine voted the “Urban Dictionary” as the “Best Website of 2007.” However, I wasn’t even aware I was listed in their dictionary with other major rap artists.
CG: What are you goals for the future of your career?
Feloni: My personal immediate goals are to finish up my sophomore album “Love Spent” and the few books I’m writing. I want to inspire young men and women who are still locked “in the closet.” So many people write me every day seeking advice on real life situations, like coming out, suicide, love triangles, broken hearts, sexual tips, music and a lot more. I simply want to continue to inspire people in a way that the universe will continue to support me.
For more information on Feloni visit http://www.trakdiamondrecords.com or www.myspace.com/feloni.
