|
  Diss Miss Interview
interview 0418 added
02.06.06 words:
Safesoul
technical:
QED
Diss Miss is the pioneer of female Hip Hop in
Bristol; she created the all female Hip Hop crew Dutty
Girl. Dutty Girl have put on big acts such as Graziella, Tali, C-Mone
and many more! Dutty Girl don’t just put on a monthly night they also
have a clothing line too! These ladies are holding it down for females
in Bristol and beyond!
“...We're
about ready for a new wave of female Hip Hop coming out of the UK I'd
say!...”
Safesoul: What is
Dutty Girl about?
Diss Miss: Dutty Girl is an all female Hip Hop crew, although a few of
our DJ’s play other genres. We've got a Drum and Bass outlet (in which
DJ Dazee is one of our forefront DJs). The ethos is about women
supporting each other, having a space where we feel comfortable and are
not in direct competition with men. Our nights always have a great vibe
because the crowd is really evenly mixed - with as many women as men. At
too Hip Hop nights there is just so much testosterone in the place!
Safesoul: Dutty Girl
obviously means Dirty Girl, why choose that name?
 Diss Miss: I just liked the sound of it to be honest. I used to work in
a pub with my friend (the notorious Star and Garter in Bristol, as some
will know of) the owner is nicknamed Dutty Ken, a flamboyant Jamaican
dude who has a way with the ladies. We called ourselves Dutty Girls
(kind of like. his bitches!). It's all ironic of course, some people
really don't get it, whatever!
Safesoul: What DJs
and MCs play for Dutty Girl? And what are they're styles?
Diss Miss: We have about 15 girls in the crew, Kash Honey is one of our
brightest stars, she's a wicked MC so remember the name because she'll
be blowing your mind any time soon! They are all talented though of
course! There's Annon Lee, Bonnie C, Zion Flex, Safe Soul, Weasel, Emma
and Klair, MTG, Myself - Diss Miss and then there's the Drum and Bass
girls who are Dazee, LaydeeBird, MC Sarah B, MC Scorpio and Problem
Page. There's also B-Girls starting out with us and street dancers 'The
Heavyettes' who are getting involved as well. Our styles are all similar
but different if you get me? We all like what each other plays (well I
think we all do - I do for sure!) it stretches from chilled Hip Hop to
jump up, to Indie, and there's plenty of Bashment and Dubstep and all
that in the mix too.
Safesoul: Is it
harder for girls to make it in the Hip Hop industry than guys?
Diss Miss: Yes, mostly it's harder. In some ways it is easier. To be
honest we can make a name for ourselves riding off the fact that we are
female. For men they really have to come up with something different and
outstanding to make it in this world. But with that said I think it is
harder for women as it really is a man's world, we are not naturally at
ease with fighting so hard to be where we want to be, it's dog eat dog
out there.
Safesoul: What can
girls do to put themselves out there on the scene and get noticed?
Diss Miss: There's safety and clout in numbers. I think that's why we
have all come together, within this knowledge. We know that by coming
together we will get where we want to go. Supporting each other. Other
girls should do the same thing, link us or other girls involved and
start your own thing. It doesn't have to be with other girls of course!
If you are comfortable in a crew with guys then that may be the way for
you. I also think girls should keep themselves in check. Never pimp
yourself out! And make sure your skills are in check. If you are not
ready yet you are twice as likely to get ridiculed as any man so work
hard and practice, because things don't come that easy.
“...Kash
Honey is one of our brightest stars; she's a wicked MC so remember the
name because she'll be blowing your mind any time soon!...”
Safesoul: Who are
the main female players in Hip Hop at the moment?
 Diss Miss: DJ Etch a Sqratch is one to watch out for. She has played at
Dutty Girl a couple of times and hails from Newcastle. She is a wicked
DJ and has plans to get to the top; she placed third in the DMCs in
Leeds last year. She's' a classically trained musician and she's doing
her dissertation on turntablism notation. She's going take this shit to
the next level. Big props to As-If on the turntablist thing as well as
she's been holding it down single handedly for women in turntablism in
the UK for over ten years!! MC-wise I'm not reaching that many places to
see what is going on the underground scene, but I'm sure there is a
great deal of up and coming females out there. For me it's all about
Kash Honey right now and Zion Flex is another of our up and coming MCs
to watch out for too. I like Tor's stuff, Baby Blue and C-mone's new
album is wicked.
Safesoul: Who do you
think is running things in Bristol?
Diss Miss: On the male side - It's all about Sirplus, Kners and Se Fire.
Plus Bugzy on the grime thing. For the women of course - that'd be us!
Safesoul: What can
Bristolian’s do to put Bristol on the map for more than just D&B?
Diss Miss: Hmm good question. Well Bristol has a sound, It's not just
Drum and Bass of course, Massive Attack, Parlor Talk, Aspects and
Portishead etc have also put Bristol on the map, but for Hip Hop on a
grander scale I think there is still a lot to do. I think that Bristol
Hip Hop has always been a bit of a novelty, West Country accents are
hard for people to get. I think that some of the Bristol rappers who
have less of a strong accent such as Kners, Sirplus, Se Fire and Kash
Honey have more commercial appeal. None of which are foregoing their
roots, because none of them actually have massively strong Bristolian
accents! So they are keeping it real and they still rep for Bris! I
think the answer to this question is more than just about Bristol. UK
Hip Hop is hardly on the map in relation to US Hip Hop, hopefully that
will change as things go further. My real answer to this question though
is to bring the girls forward; Dutty Girl is what Bristol needs. Most UK
Hip Hop acts that have ever made it outside of the UK are actually
female! Check Neneh Cherry, Monie Love, Wee Papas, Cookie Crew etc, they
all sold units stateside and that's along time ago, we're about ready
for a new wave of female Hip Hop coming out of the UK I'd say!
“...At
too Hip Hop nights there is just so much testosterone in the place!...”
-
Safesoul
Related Links:
 
|
