Mississippi State University is known for its sports and highly acclaimed engineering programs, but along with the academia, the rap and hip-hop scene has become more apparent lately. From the popular hip-hop collective, TFG, to solo artist such as Young Hunter, MSU is becoming a respected music menagerie on the college scene. With all the male rappers, though, one starts to ponder: Where are the female emcees?
Erisse ‘Petey Planes’ Peterson, Tailor ‘Endian Dope’ Anderson and Tylena ‘Lena’ Byas are interested in not only changing the perception of female artists but also gaining the respect from the boys.
Peterson, sophomore philosophy major, already has a lot on her plate. At only 20 years old, she’s currently co-producing her own docu-series, the ground breaking, “Dark Horse.” Few know, but Peterson is also a lyrical force whose rhymes and clever quips would make you both smile and feel intimidated. Peterson said she wishes more female rappers would step up and showcase their talents to prove the girls are just as good as the boys.
“The female rappers that are here never try to interact with each other. Like, we don’t assemble ourselves. You never hear about the females getting together,” Peterson said. “You don’t see us having cyphers or putting on performances at Rick’s.”
Peterson said if females would put aside their differences and network like the guys, it could actually be something great.
Byas, sophomore human science major, is known on campus for her impeccable fashion sense, soulful glee and even more powerful soulful voice. Aside from her singing and modeling, she’s a notorious “battle rapper,” known for humiliating men with her lyrical prowess. She said she feels the female rappers are not given as many opportunities in Starkville or on campus.
“We aren’t advertised enough. I mean most females rappers I meet, I can’t even take seriously,” Byas said. “For one, the female hip-hop influence right now is really sucky right now. The only person they look up to is Nicki Minaj.”
All three emcees rolled their eyes.
“But it seems all the ones that actually have something to say are almost extinct,” Byas said.
Anderson, sophomore biological sciences major, is not new to the hip-hop game but has recently started to broadcast her talents. With her YouTube videos and mixtape coming out, she said she hopes she can help change the female hip-hop scene on campus.
“Like Petey and Lena said, we’re not put out there enough. And most male rappers do not even want to work with you. I think it spawns from intimidation,” Anderson said.
Peterson said she believes most men are intimidated because men want to control something.
“It’s part of a man’s nature to want to dominate something all together,” Peterson said. “So the thought of a female being able to keep up with (men) lyrically, intimidates them basically.”