In a male-dominated music industry, Genesis Be remains one of the freshest female voices in hip-hop. With a deep-rooted passion in music and activism, she is changing the platform for independent artists and using the mic to tell the stories of unheard women. Her newest single, “Precious Beyond Measure,” is an ode to domestic violence survivors: empowering women across the blogosphere and opening up more discussion on grassroots activism. Determined to blaze her own path, Genesis epitomizes the definition of a self-made woman with a burgeoning career and yearning to bring others up with her. Hailing from Mississippi, she has a unique story that spans from her family combating ruthless racism in the South to becoming one of the most popular artists at New York University’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music.
In this two-part interview, Genesis opens up to Zora&Alice about her journey to music, how she remains grounded, and what’s next for her movement.
Z&A: Who is Genesis Be? What inspired you to be a rapper?
I’m a student, writer, activist, executive producer, and social entrepreneur. Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved writing poetry and short stories. My decision to become a Hip-Hop performer came after hearing Tupac’s album “2Pacalypse.” I heard him rapping about police brutality and teen pregnancy.
I thought to myself, “This man is talking about social issues, being heard by millions of people, and making money?”
I started converting my poetry into rhymes at the age of twelve and began performing live at age thirteen. That was the beginning.
Z&A: Tell us about your roots. I hear that there’s a long history of activism in your family.
My grandfather, Rev. Clyde Briggs, was murdered because he was encouraging and educating black people in Mississippi to vote. He also was suspected of helping to smuggle guns into Franklin County in order to arm black citizens being threatened and murdered by terrorists, such as the KKK. They murdered him and left my Grandmother, Geraldine Briggs, to raise nine children. My father was nine when this happened and grew up to be an activist, a soldier against injustice and falsehood. He taught me that the truth is the most powerful thing, and that we can’t be afraid to fight for our freedom and the freedom of others. My father is my hero and mentor, he molded me to be the writer and activist I am today. The Jackson Free Press wrote a full-length article about my Grandfather.
Z&A: How did you get your start in pursuing a career as a rapper?
I began performing as a battle rapper believe it or not! When I was fourteen, I would sneak into clubs or bribe the bouncers, so I could participate in rap battles. People loved it, they couldn’t believe this little girl was battling grown men and winning! After I won a few talent shows my dad took me to a local studio called Doc Roc Recordings where I met Kenneth Leonard, my engineer. He helped me “trust my ear” and I went on to executive produce and release three albums in Mississippi. Newspapers, blogs, magazines and radio stations in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi began showing me a lot of love. Before the Hurricane hit in 2005, I was on an upward trajectory with my career, opening for The Ying Yang Twins, 8Ball & MJG, Trillville, and Juvenile. I was even offered a few record deals.
Z&A: You’re a survivor of Hurricane Katrina. What type of impact did the flood have on your family and local hip-hop community?
My family and I were very blessed during that whole ordeal. We stayed and rode out the storm. When it was over, we stepped outside and couldn’t believe our eyes. Picture dead bodies in the middle of the street, smell of death in the air, no buildings, no streets. It would take days for me to explain the things that I saw and the things my family and community went through.
As far as the Hip Hop community goes, it was dead for a while after the storm. I lost the majority of my fan base in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast because they either moved or passed away. It was rough. Everyone was pretty down and confused about the situation.
Z&A: What’s it like being from Mississippi and chasing a music career in New York?
In Mississippi, the independent artists work extra hard. As a teenager, I learned a lot from the older aspiring rappers in my neighborhood. I learned how to press up my own demos, write and send press kits to local DJs and newspapers, how to record myself, how to build street teams to promote my shows, how to book my own shows, how to get my albums into stores on consignment…[basically] everything a manager, agents and label would do for you! I’m used to grinding and working hard.
I brought this same mindset to New York. The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music took my existing skills and honed them, while teaching me new aspects of the entertainment industry. It’s been an amazing three years in New York, attending NYU. The program is really intense. I feel like I went into it a beast and I’m leaving a monster!
Z&A: Why did you decide to pursue an education at New York University’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music? Most rappers don’t choose the academic path.
Kenneth Leonard told me about The Clive Davis Dept. He encouraged me to apply and even wrote my letter of recommendation. I never really wanted to go to college, I knew that my parents wanted me to but I wasn’t really interested. I was in community college when the Hurricane hit and more interested in my music career at that point. I was focusing all my energy on recording and promoting. It’s funny how people influence you. I probably wouldn’t have come to NYU if I didn’t go to the studio with Ken that day.
Read Part 2 of the interview here.
Genesis Be‘s new single, “Precious Beyond Measure”
