I have only been rapping for two years now. I remember feeling like the only female rapper in Baltimore. I was the only woman I would hear about, the only woman on these lineups, and the only woman I saw in my city doing shows every weekend. It was legit just me and Sneaky Tee. That was all I saw, but apparently, me and Tee are in two different scenes — or at least that's what the people say. I hate that because I’m from the hood...but ok. I can't wait for both scenes to merge. I'm appreciative because the scene I’m apart of supported me and got me to be on Bali Baby’s World Tour. It’s the reason I met Deetranada, and it’s the reason I’ve performed at Atlanta’s A3C festival two years in a row.
It seems to be only two scenes in Baltimore. We call them the Art Scene and the Hood Nigga Scene. If you don’t fit into those two categories then I really don’t know what to tell you. Now is the time to grind and pop out. So do dat!
Looking back, I feel as though Baltimore Club music and the club scene initially put all eyes on our city. But, fast forward a bit to a few years back, I really feel like [Lor] Scoota, [Young] Moose, [Bandhunta] Izzy, and a few others paved the way and brought eyes back to Baltimore. Now we have people like Shordie Shordie — he’s huge. Shit is beautiful. Everything in Baltimore feels different now. I go outside and even the air feels different. I ask my friends if they feel it and we all say the same thing. There is a shift taking place in my city. Everyone knows that the city is up now. We are not up next, we are up NOW. There were two Baltimore artists, and one Maryland artist on the BET Hip-Hop Awards cyphers this year. If that isn’t enough confirmation then you are blind and you need to leave this city.
I’m seeing now that with great power comes a great amount of leeches. I feel like I’m responsible for my culture. I'm gonna wipe these bitches off with Lysol. I refuse to allow leeches to prosper, not around me and my people. Hell no! It’s annoying that everyone wants to rap now. When I say that everyone wants to rap, what I mean is hobby rappers with zero star power, potential, and no stage presence. People are rapping because they are desperate for a way out, and they see these Baltimore rappers making it look easy. They want the chains, they want the clout, they want attention. Well news flash baby, that won't work for you. People out here paying to play, but the raps suck ass. All because they want that diamond chain, all because 1000 likes on Instagram looks nice. Baby, you are throwing your money away! But, I allow them to. I’ll keep quiet because eventually leeches go broke and they will quit. It’s irritating to watch the monkey see, monkey do behavior. This shit is life or death to me. I have no second option. I have the responsibility and the power to break generational curses, and to provide for my entire family. You bitches haven’t starved before, you haven't gone broke for this, cried for this, y’all have options. Please go be that lawyer baby!
I saw a tweet today that said, “Baltimore only supports clout. You’d be surprised how much support you’d get elsewhere.” I read that and said to myself, “Bitch you must suck.” I am so tired of that statement. Okay, yes Baltimore may, in fact, be a popularity contest, but some of you definitely SUCK DICK! If you actually grind hard, brand yourself properly, and perfect your sound and craft then you will be seen and supported. If you suck then there isn't much anyone can do for you. This other girl chimed in and said that you have to have clout in order to get support. And that without clout you won't ever get any support. FALSE, that's called being entitled, you have to work hard!
Anyways, I definitely look forward to seeing who prevails in this industry and who is only a gimmick. One thing I do know is that Baby Kahlo is forever. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Bye hoe!
