women rap | Hip-Hop and Politics

500 Female Emcees: Meet Ruby Ibarra-Bay Area Icon

March 16, 2014 By mrDaveyd

Ruby Ibarra is a Cali-bred spoken word artist/rapper/lyricist. Born in the Philippines and raised in the Bay area; she has been writing and rapping for several years. Recently she decided to take her art to another level and to pursue it professionally.

Penning her lyrical style as 90’s hip- hop sound with elements of raw poetry, Ruby describes her style as “a variety of topics — boastful raps, about my culture, society, politics, my experiences, and stories of others that I feel haven’t been told too often.”

Pursuing more success as a talented a rapper and lyricist, Ruby recently caught the attention of XXL Magazine by being featured on their site column ‘The Break,’ and MYX TV cable channel. With the ups and downs that come with being in the industry, Ruby has a strong foundation to stand on from her family, despite the shadiness the business can be at times. “I try not to be intimidated by the fear of rejection or failure in the music industry because at the end of the day, I’m doing this because I love it, enjoy it, and it’s one of things I feel natural in and know that I’m good at.”

Ruby continues to hone her skills, while currently working on a mixed tape. She is focused on reaching her the long-term goals of having multi-platinum selling albums, touring the world, and most of all, maintaining control over her art and image.

Ruby recently released a mixtape called Lost in Translation… check for it HERE

Ruby Ibarra – Nonconceptual

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0-gCaGLO18

Ruby Ibarra – Game Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K-hAty8kek

Ruby Ibarra w/Kris Payne – Where They Go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4wvexC3U2s

Ruby Ibarra – Guess Who?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pTBGRueleA

500 Female Emcees: Meet Rinko A True Survivor from Japan

March 15, 2014 By mrDaveyd

Rinko Nagahisa aka Rinko hails from Kagoshima, Japan and now lives in Tokyo. She both sings and raps and has made a name for herself. What makes her stand out is the realness of her music. Coming up she was sexually assaulted and is a survivor of domestic violence. She notes that music was her salvation.

Here’s what she noted in her bio

Parents were constantly quarelling, I was verbally and physically abused. I was fed up with it at all. The next thing I noticed, I was holding a knife against my mother.

Just as I thought my singing career started to progress, I was confined then sexually assaulted for 10 days. When I finally ran away for police , the officer told me ” go back to wherever you are , I don’t care you get killed”. I couldn’t believe anyone. After the incidents I was really alone, suffered from PTSD, depression, panic disorder which kept me down for 4 years.

I struggled to continue singing without looking away from severe realities. I had to be strong. I sing true to my experience so people like me who suffer inside can ease their heart.

My songs empowers listeners with truth and my way of life.

Rinko What u gonna do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvbRptodhz8