Hard Knock Radio host Davey D sat down with hip-hop pioneers Dr. MC Debbie D of the US Girls and Sheri Sher of the Mercedes Ladies to discuss the upcoming historic Women in Hip Hop conference happening this Friday, April 6th, at Lincoln Center. It’s called “Fresh and So Bold.”
Debbie D detailed many aspects of the conference, including panel discussions and guest speakers. She noted that the conference will go beyond the usual conversations about rapping and deejaying. That will be a part of it, of course, but as Debbie noted, women have covered much more ground both within and outside the music industry, all connected to hip-hop culture. The trials and triumphs of women within hip-hop will be centered.
Sheri Sher of the legendary group Mercedes Ladies, hip-hop’s first all-female group, noted that there needs to be greater acknowledgment of the early pioneers of this movement. There are lots of overlooked narratives, and this symposium will correct that.
Sheri’s Story: Mercedes Ladies and Women in Music
Sheri discussed the dynamics of the 1980s party scene and her involvement in an all-female DJ and rap group called Mercedes Ladies. She recounted the group’s formation, evolution, and the challenges they faced, including financial issues and changes in the lineup.
Sheri also shared her personal experiences, including growing up in poverty and later becoming an emcee. The conversation touched on issues of erasure in the music industry, with Sheri highlighting the lack of recognition given to her group when they appeared on a record by Donald D and provided background vocals to the group’s persistent efforts to get paid. Sherri also wrote about the experiences of marginalized women in music in a book called ‘Mercedes Ladies-Hip Hop’s Original Dream Girls‘.
The First Female Soloist in Hip-Hop Discusses the Importance of Hip Hop Flyers
Debbie D who is often referrered to as the The first female soloist in hip-hop shared her experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of women’s involvement in hip-hop and their role in its evolution. She underscored the significance of flyers as a tool for documenting and sharing the history of hip-hop events and culture, and highlighted their value in preserving stories of parties, jams, people, places, and fashion. Debbie D also discussed her forthcoming book, which focuses on the evolution and intricacies of hip-hop culture. She emphasized the need for accuracy in the dissemination of information about hip-hop’s history.
African American Culture and Street Activities
During the Hard Knock Radio interview, both women discussed the influence of innovative and fresh approaches in the 1970s on African American culture, with a focus on street activities, particularly Double Dutch jump rope. Sheri Sher talked about how it influenced her eventual approach to rhyming, noting that for most Black girls growing up in New York City during the 1970s, Double Dutch was huge. Sheri discussed how Double Dutch gave her breath control and a certain type of swing and rhythm once she started emceeing.
Debbie D detailed the influence of the Black Church and how being a participant helped give her confidence and enhanced her performance skills. She also noted that many guys who were on the early scene also took part in church bands and other performance activities that would later be drawn upon when they entered the hip-hop arena. Debbie emphasized the importance of being authentic which is a corner stone within church and would translate for many who came into Hip Hop. Both women spoke about the importance of story telling and how Hip Hop gave them a platform to express onesself and be heard.
Hard Knock Radio is a Daily Afternoon Radio Show that intersects, Hip Hop, Culture and Politics and hosted by Davey D and produced by Anita Johnson
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