i love writing.  i love hip hop. i wanted to put my region on. i wanted to put my hometown heroes on. then I eventually learned that I need to put myself on first. though I love music journalism, there is a lot of politics, cliques and pretentiousness surrounding the “chosen few” who still are in the writing game, and the one thing I took away was that their lists, their words, their experience is no more credible, important or authoritative than yours as a listener.  

and if you are a young API woman looking into it as a career here are some words of advice:

- don’t do it for the approval of others (consciously or subconsciously)

- guard your reputation and credibility fiercely

- build a natural rapport and ask the tough questions after you’ve warmed them up

- learn photo and video editing skills

- every rapper will be infatuated by your position to critique.  don’t be fooled.  it’s an interview, not a date/therapy session.  

- get it done, and get the hell outta there.  remember the reputation thing?

- do your best to put YOUR PEOPLE on.  that’s what this is about:  breaking artists you believe in.

- it’s a tough game out there but don’t hate on other women to get to where you need to be.  

- don’t. stop. writing.  ever.

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