Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Thanks, first, to all SOTO readers for my warm and fuzzy reception on the 14^th, when I made my first attempt at writing about hip hop on this great site.  Like Kerri Strug’s first shaky somersault being applauded, that write-up and response made me want to try my hand at the balance beam.  So, here I go, in what I hope to make a monthly feature, a post about an early hip hop icon who changed the genre forever.  Hip hop as we know it is (arguably) celebrating its 35^th anniversary this year, so the figures of which I type may or may not still be around, and I hope you can appreciate and enjoy the profiles I submit to you in the coming months, or years if John thinks I’m worth it!

Roxanne Shanté

Some among you may remember the 1984 U.T.F.O. surprise B-side hit, Roxanne, Roxanne, which, in all its misogynistic glory, introduced the character of Roxanne, a "stuck up" neighborhood girl who refuses their advances.  The old school pioneer of whom I write today goes by the name "Roxanne Shanté" (born Lolita Shanté Gooden in Queensbridge) and was 14 years old when the song came out.  In a story that belongs to hip hop lore, she happened upon Marley Marl, DJ Mr. Magic, and Tyrone Williams talking about U.T.F.O. canceling a show.  Roxanne offered to record an answer record to U.T.F.O.’s hit, and thus was created the squeaky but no-bullshit voice of one of the most influential female MCs in hip hop.

:Roxanne Shante - Roxanne's Revenge:

The original response track used the U.T.F.O instrumental, but was changed after a copyright lawsuit. The spunky rhymes (purportedly laid down in one take) and deep base back beat of the Marley Marl-produced updated track were an instant hit, selling more than a quarter of a million copies in New York alone.  That record sparked more than 100 answer records in what’s referred to as the Roxanne Wars. She was no one-hit wonder, though; Roxanne continued her career as a devastating freestyler, though some of her album rhymes were allegedly written by Big Daddy Kane.  This classic freestyle battle between Roxanne and Busy Bee gets heated and Roxanne doesn’t pull her punches:

:Roxanne Shante - Roxanne Shante VS Busy Bee:

Roxanne went on to become a founding member of the Juice Crew, along with Marley Marl and radio DJ Mr. Magic; the Crew collective introduced such New School MCs as Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane.

:Roxanne Shante - Juice Crew Allstars:

At the tender age of 25 Roxanne chose to “retire” from hip hop (try to keep in mind that she began when she was 14) to become a psychologist, occasionally reemerging to cameo on albums and mentor up and coming femmcs.

I chose to focus on Roxanne Shanté in the first installment of "Old School Spotlight" for many reasons.  She wasn’t the first female MC, but her take-no-prisoners flow and her admirable willingness to directly challenge male rappers in a decidedly masculine industry makes her a pioneer.  Not only could she work at the same level as other NY MCs, she could also walk away from it all.  Her breakout as a top-selling female MC at a time when none had received such remarkable sales or recognition opened doors for the likes of MC Lyte, Queen Latifa, and Jean Grae.  Her spirit as an MC standing up for her gender helped a girl like me believe that one day the genre could be shared by the sexes.  I haven’t seen that hope realized yet, but the ladies that I’ll spotlight occasionally in the coming months have all done their part to keep it alive.

Check out the self-possession of this 14 year old:

- Leah Manners -



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