“You want it Dirty and Grimy, underground slimy. You know where to find me, soakin’ up the rhyme, G.” That’s how she starts her verse for “16 bars of gold” and she gives us exactly that with the release of her debut solo album, “Artist Workshop”. It was put out on an independent label called All Natural Inc. with whom she has been involved since 2002. Her smooth rhymes and street sexy flow suits the superior production that keeps the album bangin’ throughout. If you want a “Taste of Chicago” no need to go any further. With the help of collaborators, including Guilty Simpson, and Rashid Hadee, she delivers an essence that will please that real hip-hop lover’s musical palate with a tasty mid-west flavor.
I caught up with her at her Atlanta listening party and asked her about how the album came together. “It’s basically a collection of songs that I’ve been working on for a bout 5 years, so they vary in topic but it is still cohesive.” She continued, “Its basically just a hip-hop album… dope rhymes, dope beats. It feels so great to have this done and out because I’ve been working on it for such a long time through multiple edits and re-mixes and what not, so for it to really, actually be officially released and on itunes and amazon is nothing but a blessing so I’m very happy and very excited.”
As I sat there at the bar in Castleberry Hill listening to “Artist Workshop” bump through the speakers as the talented artist behind the project mixed and mingled with wine glass in hand, I thought… This is a great testing grounds for a release. You get a real feel for the album in the urban environment for which it was created. I got a chance to really focus on it’s lyrics and production, more so that if it were a traditional performance release party. I liked it… allot.
Here is a listen to a couple tracks from the album.
Surrender Remix featuring Rashid Hadee
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Outlasted featuring Guilty Simpson
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Tags: all natural, artist workshop, Chicago, female, guilty simpson, hip hop, rapper, rashid hadee, Rita J
Yo…the female emcees in ATL are holding it down!!! Eff that Nicki Minaj S**t!!!