Monie Love shares her experience of being a hip-hop trailblazer and inspiring a new generation of female rappers.

British multi-hyphenate rapper, DJ, and radio personality Monie Love became a reckoning force in hip-hop, kicking down the door when she arrived on the music scene in the late 1980s. Her dominance ushered in a new wave of female artists hailing from England and she holds the coveted title of being the first British female hip-hop artist to be a two-time Grammy Award nominee. Pioneering her way through a traditionally male genre, she created feminist anthems such as “It’s a Shame” and “Ladies First” alongside rap royalty Queen Latifah. Her lyricism, artistry, and recognition for changing the game on and off the mic have been widely recognized and influential for legions of female artists.

In celebration of 50 years of hip-hop and on the brink of LL Cool J’s annual Rock The Bells festival, where Monie Love is slated to take the stage, BLACK ENTERPRISE virtually spoke with the female emcee to chat about cultural appreciation versus appropriation, being a trailblazing force, early teachings that affirmed her individuality and identity, and her hope for the new generation of leading ladies in hip-hop.

As one of the first Brit Hop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label and the first British female hip-hop artist to be a two-time Grammy Award nominee, Monie Love is definitely a pioneering force in hip-hop. When asked about her self-proclaimed title of “cultural icon”, Monie spoke of her daughters and how she has always implemented the rule of thumb, that she is their biggest influence. She emphasized the importance of earning her stripes and respect from her peers and men, in order to be taken seriously as an artist.

Monie also spoke of her involvement with the Native Tongues collective. She described it as “family” and “organic”, noting how it provided the perfect place for her to express her individualism. She was also inspired by her father, who taught her about the Black experience and her Africanism from a young age. He had her reading George Jackson's “Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson”, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “Soul on Ice” by Eldridge Cleaver at the age of 13, which enabled her to come into her own.

Monie touched on the importance of understanding the difference between cultural exchange and appropriation in today's society. She cautioned against those who do not truly love and understand the culture of hip-hop, calling it “a waste of your time.” Monie expressed her love for the explosion of female artists in hip-hop and her hope for the platforms to take a chance on the girls who may not take the sexual route.

As we look forward to the next 50 years of hip-hop, Monie Love's legacy will be remembered as a pioneer and icon who challenged the status quo, owned her individuality, was unapologetic, and showcased her creativity. Her words of advice and wisdom will continue to inspire future generations of female artists.

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