Hear that rumbling beneath your feet? It’s the sound of local female rappers just below the surface, striving to break through in a male-dominated industry. MCs including Psalm One, Amina and Ang13 still reign, but RedEye caught up with some other lyrical ladies for your rap radar.
FM Supreme Jessica Disu
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Lyrical longevity: 11 years
Style similarity: MC Lyte combined with Queen Latifah, said Supreme.
Influences: MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Nas, Jay-Z
Studio status: “The Go State of Mind,” a full-length album due out in fall of 2010
Mic check: Follow her at @fmsupreme and myspacemusic.com/fmsupreme
Deja K. Taylor
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Neighborhood: Morton Grove, IL
Lyrical longevity: One year, as an outgrowth of her performance poetry and singing
Style similarity: Outkast and Missy Elliott, says Taylor, who describes her style as a throwback to ’80s “boom bap”
Influences: Andre 3000, Jill Scott, Prince, Lauryn Hill
Studio status: Working on a one-woman show called “Free Deja Taylor.” The project will be accompanied by a soundtrack, marking her album debut.
Mic check: Hear Taylor’s sound and get more background on her poetic and singing skills at myspace.com/dejaktaylor
Rita J. Rita Jackson
Neighborhood: Lives in Atlanta but was raised in Dolton, Ill., and caught the rap bug at Southern Illinois University
Lyrical longevity: 10 years
Style similarity: Fans compare her to Lady of Rage, Ladybug Mecca, MC Lyte and, recently, Antoinette, Rita J. said.
Influences: Nas, Black Thought, MC Lyte, Rakim, Buckshot
Studio status: Rita J.’s “Artist Workshop” hit stores Nov. 3.
Mic check: myspace.com/ritajackson
Queen CHeBa Falicia Agbalaya
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Lyrical longevity: 12 years
Style similarity: Jay-Z, Biggie and Tupac: “Jay is more about real life, Biggie is more of a story teller and Tupac is more message.”
Influences: Her biggest influence is Aretha Franklin, and she admires the work of Run DMC and MC Lyte. “I listen to Duke Ellington and Nina Simone,” CHeBa said. “I barely listen to rap.”
Studio status: CHeBa just released a pre-album called “Dope Girl Fresh,” with plans for her full album by Sept. 2010.
Mic check: Hear her in a “Blame It on the Alcohol” remix at myspace.com/chebaqueenofdachi
Unmuvabo TeQuilla Cooper
Neighborhood: Austin
Lyrical longevity: 12 years
Style similarity: “I’ve been called Busta Rhymes’ little sister … because of my stage presence,” Unmuvabo said, adding that her voice is reminiscent of Lil’ Kim. Other comparisons: Queen Latifah, Rah Digga, Salt n’ Pepa.
Influences: Salt n’ Pepa, Nina Simone, Mary J. Blige
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Studio status: “12 Unmuvabo Chronicles,” 12 EPs to be released over the next two years
Mic check: Check out her sound at blackbootink.com. She also is presenting a “Stop the Silence Against Youth Violence” benefit concert Dec. 17 at the Abbey. Details and ticket information at blackbootink.com