Griot/ Djali and Hip hop Essay

My abilities in writing essays may not be perfect and writing under pressure proved to be even harder. The hardest part about this essay was trying to articulate my thoughts in the time frame given to us to write. Because I had not been present to get the article during the previous class, I had to read my article the day of the essay and squeeze comprehension and articulation into the class period. Understanding the Griot and Djali culture grew increasingly confusing; I had to reread the article several times before actually grasping a good idea of Baraka’s main point. As I began writing, words and thoughts were jumbled; it took me awhile before I could write at a good pace moving with momentum. Doing more research and making connections aided in my comprehension of the topic and helped to write my essay. I liked that we were exploring a new topic that allowed us to a gain a new perspective on Griot/Djali tradition. I thought it was also a different approach from what we usually do in class and it made the period move along smoothly. Though this class essay was a little tough for everyone, I learned to work under pressure and pace myself to get my thoughts onto paper. I didn’t get to finish the essay because there were still so many ideas I wanted to include, but I was able to continue and add my paragraphs at home. In addition, I also learned about a new culture and how many different aspects of life can contribute to hip hop culture, or any culture. If I could have another opportunity at working on this essay, I would use more resources and evidence to gain stronger support. I would also have more time to work consistently and eloquently in constructing my thoughts.

Song of Myself Response

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
3 November 2009

Song of Myself

I praise myself and grow with what I experience
My thoughts and dreams grow with each day
That passes

My eyes see the world
In its fascinations and mysteries surrounding
People, my family, my friends, my people
We all share the quality of being human

My mind is open and non-judging
I seek out the eccentricities of humanity
I question the purposes we hold
Our destinies waiting to happen
Ready to burst into our lives and
Become reality

My ideas are influential
They spread like watercolor on a palette
Flowing and mixing in rhythmic patterns
Colors integrating and thoughts sprouting
There are no limits
No standards and no boundaries
Free and billowy, my painting grows

My limbs and shoulders are fragile
Organs and bones lying delicate
I am soft and sensitive
Like a branch, I am light
But I come from strong roots
With a thick core that is planted deep into the ground
Sacrifices made and hardships hidden in the past
I come from traditions and values filled with moral beliefs
I extend from the stable trunk
I reach and grow, sprouting leaves of knowledge and progress
Light and fine, as I am
My leaves and strength hold the highest potential

I am amorphous
Shapeless, formless and unstructured
Everything I embody is ever changing
The uncertainty is exciting
The mysteries and surprises inspire me
Qualities of spontaneity drive my passion
I am different and unexpected
Every day is new

Response to "Procrastination"

Although I was not actually present for the "Procrastination" film, I strongly believe that it is a habit that everyone struggles with. For many, procrastination can be lingering on the keyboard for a few seconds, while for others it can be waiting til the last hour to start an assignment. In any case, procrastination brings a lot of stress and problems to any situation. Things pile up and baggage gets heavier and heavier. What was once clear has now grown foggier and undecipherable in our eyes. People really need to understand the importance of doing their tasks at a timely matter despite their lack of enthusiasm for the boring deed.

Cyber Response to Brave New Voice Writing Workshop

I was actually planning not to attend class on Thursday but am very glad I did. Although I was extremely sick, I gained a lot of insight into the process of poetry. Lauren did a great job at setting the tone and helping everyone through their words. I was able to think clearly about what I wanted to write and articulate my thoughts passionately. Writing my feelings down into tangible words felt liberating. I had to really think back to my past experiences and focus on that spirit. It definitely shed a lot of lost memories and let me appreciate the experiences I've had. Writing enables to release their emotions without any judgments. People find control and safety in writing. Poetry has the power to heal the toughest wounds and inspire someone to be a stronger person. I believe that words really are a way for people to get past their struggles and find a better place - a place of salvation and acceptance.

Me,Myself and I Response

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50

Understanding that one’s true identity can be possible is extremely crucial in the eyes of hip hop audiences. In Felicia Pride’s response to “Me, Myself and I”, ideals of profiling and false representation is stated to describe the way people identify themselves to others. People constantly feel that there is a certain way they should behave and display in the presence of others. Pride breaks down the qualities that constitute what representing one’s true identity is and counters these characteristics with the main idea that people choose to express false profiles because it is more convenient (10). By creating an illusion and image that is more acceptable, people dodge the critiques of others. They do not need to feel scrutinized for their qualities because they represent what society expects of them.

Pride goes on to further explain the reasons behind these actions and provide personal anecdotes to give a sense of reality within this problem. She goes on to define the expectations of what society demands and includes new ideas that I never really considered. Here, she articulates the negative aspect of society’s expectations and set images of people,
“As a society, we like labels, boxes, and other ways to confine and categorize…There’s always a level of disappointment for outsiders when we don’t live up to misconceptions. Even if you’re comfortable in your skin, and know exactly who you are, others aggressively attempt to promote their own idea of who you should be.” (11).
In her analysis, I realized that we, as a society, are very judgmental when we approach new people and their personalities. We create this ideal that people feel they need to live up to and impress our views. Despite how confident someone may be, others still continue to tear at their characteristics and find flaws to undermine them. Similarly to Pride’s last essay to “Not Enough, I see a connection with societies’ unquenchable hunger for acceptance and perfection. Nothing ever seems to be good enough for everyone to just accept what is.

Although the future of societies’ expectations may look bleak, Pride stresses the importance of defending one’s personal beliefs and thoughts. We all should embody these traits about ourselves and love the spirit and soul that we possess. The power to defy the expectations that others hold depends on one’s abilities to do so for their own identities. We are in control of how we want to be perceived and we shouldn’t let others hold us back from our identities. Perfectly stated, Pride says “a city is built when folks pave their own streets” (11). We determine the futures we want; it all lies in our hands.

Responses to Student Presentations

Ilene Lee
English 1b
10/8/09

Response to Itzel Diaz's Presentation

Itzel Diaz's presentation focused on the graffiti artist Jesus "Chucho" Rodriquez. I was really impressed with the background information she provided on the artist. His progression as an artist was phenomenal. Growing up as a young boy, he began drawing, then going into graffiti work, merging into tattooing and into other amazing art forms. Her poster board was filled with many of the artists'graffiti works and tattoo pieces. I thought it was interesting that "Chucho" asked people for permission to work on their walls. Most graffiti artists typically work on unauthorized locations and sneak around to do so.

Response to Jermaine Hughes' Presentation

Jermaine Hughes' presentation focused on Lauryn Hill, a respectable hip hop artist who changed her image during the course of her career. To start off the presentation, he gave a brief summary of what he was going to talk about and I thought it was helpful to direct the audience through his presentation. Lauryn Hill's growth as an artist definitely showed a sense of personal maturity. Beginning in a hip hop group in high school, she eventually moved onto her solo career. As an individual artist, her career reached its highest peak. She then decided to shed her popular reputation and come out as an artist who truely embodied herself. Jermaine did an eloquent job at describing her journey. His knowledge of Lauryn Hill's life was very impressive and made his presentation even more memorable.

American Culture Cyber-posts

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50

The invention of lens and sunglasses allowed people to protect and improve their vision from the sun. Despite its known purpose, sunglasses also serve as a means for people to protect themselves from their outside influences. For any artist- dancers, poets, rappers, lyricists, and djs, sunglasses help promote the confidence and strength needed to perform effortlessly. These trademark lenses revolutionized the way hip hop artists performed and used props to intensify their emotions. Shades enable artists to escape into their creative universe and isolate their thoughts in a more intimate level. It allows artists to get into their natural elements and focus on their expression. In the American and Hip hop movement, people are drawn to the idea of shades. It has become fashionable and interesting to wear them throughout the day- morning, afternoon and particularly in the evenings. Apart from the superficial trendy outlook it gives, sunglasses provide a cool and mysterious atmosphere that gives artists just enough privacy to express their world through their personal lens.

Syllabus Response

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50

As long and intimidating as the syllabus seemed, I felt it was packed with all the necessary components and even more for students to be equipped with the essential knowledge to succeed. Each section was articulated clearly with explanations that helped clarify any questions. I liked how many resources were provided for the English students to utilize to enhance their learning in this class. Overall, this syllabus was able to dissect all of my concerns in this class and went beyond to include outside sources to enhance my knowledge.

My List of Goals for this Semester
1. Do well and succeed in all my classes; learn a lot and get A’s!
2. Improve my abilities to write; hopefully be able to articulate eloquently and smoothly
3. Read more and tackle new reading material and subjects I am not normally used to.
4. Go beyond my comfort zones and find creative ways to enhance my understanding of new subjects such as attending performances, seminars, and participating in available workshops
5. Have fun and enjoy all my classes. Learning should be an exciting and knowledgeable experience.

Library Orientation Cyber Assignment

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50

The library orientation was very informative and useful in composing an essay. Although most of it was review from my past classes, we went over the beginning aspects of constructing an essay. In addition, we had handouts on forming thesis, avoiding plagiarism and using the library article databases. The librarian did an excellent job at breaking down the components of articulating a clear thesis and provided examples of ineffective thesis.

For students who were not present at the orientation, try picking up the handouts we received at the library and look over the powerpoint presentation the librarian used to clarify thesis statements. There was also a useful video clip the librarian used to teach students to avoid copying the works of others. I would also recommend students to practice using the library database and becoming familiar with that site to find outside sources.

To aid my research process, I will use the reference section of the library to find more information about my essay topics. There was an interesting hiphop encyclopedia that gave a lot of data about hiphop movements and artists. I will also continue to use the book catalog to find any books that may be useful to collecting additional information. The library article database also has various search engines that will serve as a valid source to find helpful scholarly articles about your topic.

"Wear Clean Draws" Freewrite

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50

The song “Wear Clean Draws” illustrates a father’s advice towards his daughter. It is able to show the importance of parenthood and the need to provide guidance for one’s child. The lyrics are comical but useful to the minds of adolescents that are growing up. The advice that is given prepares one for the future and allows a child to improve their knowledge of common sense. In addition to the life lessons provided in this hip hop song, there is also an underlying theme over feminism. There are many instances where the father of the song advices his daughter to fight for justice and defend what she feels is right. There is a sense of radical behavior for a female; for one to stand firm against their beliefs and question others who are unjust. This song was motivational and hopeful towards those who may have felt confused. Although the title may seem silly, there is an important message that needs to be learned. It is good for young girls to learn the values of being courageous and bold. It motivates and promotes strength and determination to the minds of female youths. Once these values and life lessons are instilled into the minds of these young girls, they will have the power to persist in the real world and be prepared for the unexpected situations that lie ahead.

Piece by Piece Short Essay

Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50

Today, we watched Piece by Piece, a documentary about the lifestyles and ideals of graffiti culture. The film provided a glimpse into the secretive lives of graffiti artists and focused on the motivation of the street artists. Graffiti culture can be described as a “creative destruction”; a way for artists to express their unique sense of style through various forms of writing on public surfaces. It embodies the essence of hip hop culture through its rebellious and bold ideals. The hip hop culture started a revolution and transcended into a phenomena for minorities. Hip hop culture began as a movement for minorities to establish their names and to express their abilities with a new approach such as dance, rap and graffiti. Graffiti became the prized hobby for many to showcase their artistic knowledge and creative juices. Communities and people joined together to present their graffiti as a means to identify themselves in their city- it was their method of contributing to the community.

The graffiti movements in San Francisco and New York shared the same passion and enthusiasm from the artists. These artists devoted their time and efforts into creating a masterpiece on walls and public buildings. The two also shared similar techniques like tagging and graffiti with images to display the art. These two cities revolutionized the graffiti world by sparking talent and skills in the art of graffiti. Artists continued to set trends and styles as they displayed their works throughout town. San Francisco and New York had the best graffiti works from the very beginning and continued to expand as more artists became influenced by past works.

The graffiti movements of San Francisco and New York shared many qualities, but differences also arose from the two areas. The main separation was the laws and regulations passed to prohibit graffiti from each city. In New York, the mayor and officials felt it necessary for the city to create anti-graffiti programs to stop the continuation of vandalism in public property. People changed the rules and increased the punishment of graffiti artists who were caught. The bills and efforts that went into stopping the graffiti movement cost millions of dollars and only further proved the failed system in the city. Despite the funds that went into stopping graffiti, people continued to express themselves. In San Francisco, regulations and restrictions were not as tough. In the beginning, people had set locations where they could draw and graffiti as they pleased. It was a community for people to share their techniques and go over the works of others. Eventually this area was closed and left many artists without a place to work. This ended up increasing the areas of graffiti in public locations and sparked rage within the community. The key difference lies in the way each city took care of the situation politically.

Dyson Group Essay

Ilene Lee
Mar`Queshia Wilkerson
Jessica Farnlacher

In the article “Cover Your Eyes as I Describe a Scene So Violent”, Byron Hurt interviews Michael Eric Dyson about the controversial social issues surrounding the hip hop entertainment industry. Dyson discusses significant aspects of hip hop culture and his perception of masculinity portrayed in the eyes of artists. The ideas of violence, objectification and social priorities unravel into a world where men are focused on seeming dominant and superior over other male counterparts.

The hyper-masculinity surrounding hip hop culture perpetuates the oppression of women by objectifying their bodies. Ideas of masculinity and male dominance are often expressed through graphic lyrics and sexualized portrayals of female roles within society. These key examples of objectification prolong the ongoing oppression males have over women within the dominant culture. Dyson makes an interesting observation by comparing objectification to the historical significance with African-American female oppression; stating that “isolating body parts like that represents a sexualized fetish tied to racial subjugation of black bodies by white supremacists” (99). By using vulgar subjects and context within hip hop music, artists fail to realize their own impact towards the injustice created for women. Male artists gain a sense of control and power by demeaning their female counterparts. Doing so, many are unintentionally promoting the behavior similar to the accounts during the African slave trade. The dominant culture establishes a fictional idea of what women should be like and these expected qualities create even bigger problems with the way men treat women. These false ideas of a women’s identity contributes to the disillusion of masculinity for men. Dyson specifically points out the inescapable social problem “to be a man; you’re socialized into that…gender roles are not innate; they’re assigned based on what society tells us is good and bad” (105). In a society where men do not give respect to women or appreciate and understand their existence, it is hard for women to demand a resolution to their inevitable perpetuation.

In the hip hop culture, guns and violence are seen as symbols of dominance and masculinity. Male figures use guns and violence to gain a superior status within their communities. It's like a chain effect; one man will get shot at for a misconception and lose his masculine status, and in return will shoot back at the people who shot at him to regain his status. Not only is he the one welding the gun, his friends will also back him up with violence and shooting as well. The use of violence and weaponry becomes the alternative release of anger that empties the hot fuel of African Americans who reside ghetto-hip hop communities. Guns and the idea of violence represent the obsession over superiority, and promote hyper masculinity.

The relationship between men and woman has always been hard to distinguish because males are often either ashamed to express their feeling for that woman without their “boys” giving them a problem or being called a name that they do not want to be called, so instead of forgetting what their friends have to say about them spending time with a girl, they confide in the men. For example, men have a saying called M.O.B. (money over bitches) which clearly states money is more important over the woman and many men really stick with this saying. According to Michael Dyson, “placing “homies” above the woman because men make money with me--or take money from them. “The male relation becomes a fetish in hip hop circles: hanging with “my boys,” kicking it with “my crew,” hustling with “my mens and them,” and dying for “my niggas.” There is an unapologetic intensity of devotion that surely evokes at some level homoerotic union” (120). This goes to show that the social priorities of the men favor their male relationships rather than their female companions.


Works Cited

Dyson, Michael Eric. “Track 4. “Cover Your Eyes As I Describe A Scene So Violent” Know What I Mean?. New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2007.

"Express Yourself" Freewrite

Ilene Lee
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50

Freewrite to “Express Yourself”

Expression can be defined through different types of outlets. Everyone has their own motivation and inspiration to show their creative process. For some, music plays a large role to their expression- drawing from the voices of other brave and courageous artists. This article conveyed a powerful message within the influence of music for children today. To the teenagers and kids that may deal with peer pressure such as drugs or gang related problems, music can be their remedy and solution to their problems. It can be their voice, their hope and their dreams. Listening to the thoughts and powerful lyrics of famous artists compel others to write their own songs. I even admit to turning to music for healing when I am stressed or dealing with conflicts. When I hear their stories, I feel inspired to share my life experiences in creative lyrics and poems. We all search for our motivation to express our real voices. Ranging from music, to literature and even fashion; people look to their passions for a push towards finding their own creative expression. Our own interpretations of art forms enable us to expand our minds and grow from what we see. There is no right answer when it comes to expressing oneself; we all have our unique abilities to show what we can do.

"Not Enough" Freewrite

Ilene Lee
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50

Freewrite Response to “Not Enough”

Society has grown to become insatiable to the acceptance of ordinary civilians. Today people are constantly bombarded by new techniques and ways to improve the way they are- physically, emotionally and mentally. Our struggle to be perfect in society is simply an unattainable goal. We are no longer able to reach contentment because our expectations continue to grow with each achievement we fulfill. If not a competition with others, we are competing with ourselves to improve what we can to be the best we can be.

This unattainable goal is paved by our obsession of gaining the approval of others. Our decisions can be based on the way we want others to see us or how we can highlight our qualities to stand out. But why do we feast on the approval of others, when it is ourselves we seek to improve? As much as anyone denies it, everyone cares about what others think about them. Our decisions and actions have lost their honest purpose of self-fulfillment and, instead, have transformed the motives into fulfilling the ideals of others.

As our society grows even more conscious to flaws and imperfections, there will never be perfection within any aspects of our lives. Our achievements are simply not enough for the likings of others who judge us. For this sake, we cannot become consumed by the opinions of other. To go beyond the expectations that society has placed on us, we cannot be affected by what others say. It is imperative for an individual to follow their own beliefs and ideals instead of becoming dependent on the thoughts of others. Our lives should be fulfilled through our own perception of self-improvement, not by the judgments of others who need more to be happier. We can all get by with what we have because it is enough- we just need to believe in it.

Hurricane Katrina Homework

Ilene Lee
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50

Hurricane Katrina Homework

The 4th Anniversary of the heart-wrenching Hurricane Katrina seems to mark another year of shame and incompetence for the United States government. When the Hurricane Katrina first struck the New Orleans area, people’s lives were completely destroyed- leaving them in a grim nightmare with no where to turn. Citizens turned to the government for immediate relief, but the needs of many Americans were neglected and placed aside. To alleviate the tension and anger Americans were dealing with, many began to express their strong emotions with lyrics and rhymes that represented their resentment towards the United States government. Artists throughout the nation understood the pain and rage of the Americans struggling to live and focused their efforts on reaching out to others who would lend a hand. These vocalists humanized the frustration and fury of those directly in Hurricane Katrina- they turned their nightmares into songs of pain.

People, to this day, are still living in the slumps and ruins of the destruction they had to deal with four years ago. There is still much to repair and rebuild within the communities of the New Orleans. People are still hoping to regain their lives and recover what they lost. There has not been much focus on Hurricane Katrina for the past few years, but recently President Barack Obama has shared his concern for the people. The New York Times detail President Obama’s intentions to reconstruct and pave the levees and floodwalls of New Orleans. He proposes a settlement his administration has placed on speeding up the recovery of the area, but his words show more potential than his actual actions. President Obama does a great deal of talking the talk, but can he succeed in walking the walk; and turn New Orleans back into the tourist attraction it once was? We all hope for the best for those in the New Orleans and pray that their struggles will soon be over.

It is hard to foresee a bright future for such a bad situation like Hurricane Katrina. With the four years that have past, many have lost hope and interest for the hearts of those still holding on tightly to the thin rope keeping them together. Artists and vocalists need to continue finding their inspiration to creating justice in the efforts of Hurricane Katrina. Awareness and knowledge needs to be shared for others to understand the severity of this issue. When Hurricane Katrina first impacted Americans throughout the nation, hip hop artists responded with songs and lyrics that promoted social reform. It motivated others to learn more about Hurricane Katrina and prompted many to volunteer and share their efforts. There is still a lot that needs to be done to resurrect the beautiful New Orleans. Music and lyrics spark the change within people, it is still time to keep rapping and singing for justice within Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricant Katrina Freewrite

Ilene Lee
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50

Hurricane Katrina Freewrite

Hurricane Katrina was an unforgettable natural disaster that caused tragic living conditions and deaths for innocent Americans. The United States was not prepared for the results of this catastrophic event, nor were they ready to take on the responsibilities that were needed to save the lives that were affected.

Hoping to spark change and motivation, hip hop artists began to release songs that were relatable to the people of Hurricane Katrina. Their music sought out the voices of millions of Americans witnessing the victims of Hurricane Katrina and vocalized their concerns towards the issue. It brought a new perspective towards the voice of the hip hop industry and showed that celebrities, just like us, had concerns and fears over the tragedies sweeping the nation.

The hip hop industry was never the typical outlet for social response towards political issues and concerns. It was rarely a place where people looked to for social reform and activism within their society. The subject of many hip hop songs focused on drugs, women, sex, and gangs – typical characteristics that Americans were used to.

When artists utilize their abilities and fame to fight for a cause, they are going against the norm of typical hip hop artists and taking a stand for what they believe in. As society is used to listening to similar subjects, it is obviously an unexpected stance for artists to share their perspectives in political reform and justice. It shows that artists today have gone above the roles that they are expected to play and grasp the idea of reaching out to the public through the most engaging method- using entertainment as a link to conveying powerful lyrics and influential messages.

My Creative Process

Ilene Lee
English 1B
27 August 2009
Tuesday-Thursday

In the eyes of James Baldwin, an artist must be imaginative and take the ugliness of truth in society and turn it into a liberating beauty that sets things straight. As an artist, I write to share my thoughts and emotions of issues that are important to me, such as women’s rights, global hunger, and the lost youth in America. My creative process stems from the core ideas and morals that I have been raised to believe. I rely on my instincts and personal experiences to guide myself through words that mean something- words that express my truth.

When I write, I isolate my thoughts into a deep corner and question the themes and ideas that exist around a particular subject. I apply my mentality into a state of “aloneness of birth or death” (1) and think about a topic at its core state without any outside influences from others. It is imperative for me, as a writer, to keep my thoughts as raw as possible, to ensure that my words create a powerful and original voice. Baldwin explains that an artist “is his own test tube, his own laboratory, working… to supersede his responsibility to reveal all that he can possibly discover concerning the human bring” (2), similarly, I write to fulfill my own discovery and to illustrate what I have learned in my research. I am not fighting to sound the smartest or most eloquent, but simply fighting to share my voice; to show that my words have meaning and depth to our lives. I strive to release the truth I perceive to be reality in the experiences of my life.

When it comes to my audience, I have no better guests than I, myself. My thoughts are mainly for my own insight and knowledge- to reflect on my perspectives in life and gain a better understanding. I have no one to make proud, no one to impress and instead of fighting for another person’s approval- I am writing for my own personal sake. Baldwin explains that all human have their own belief of what is true. An artist simply breaks down their own ideas and shares it with the world, whether or not a person chooses to believe that artist depends on their own free will. My motivation is to seek a truth that I can find fit for our society. With all the changes and taboo situations that occur daily, I am still trying to improve my ever-expanding knowledge of this world and becoming closer to understanding the purpose of myself.

Works Cited
Baldwin, James. "The Creative Process". Creative America. 1962

Say My Name Response

Ilene Lee
English 1B
27 August 2009
Tuesday-Thursday

“Say My Name” is an independent film about the lives of female Hip-hop artists that went through the struggle of finding respect in the entertainment industry. The intertwining stories of each individual artist captured the essence of a women’s struggle to fulfill her dream as a rap artist and to earn the respect she deserves. Women who shared their stories provided a glimpse into the ups and downs of their lives and ultimately the success they achieved despite the male-dominating scene in the Hip-hop business. These women stood tall with their talent and demanded the spotlight on them – demanded the attention and respect they wanted.

In the film, Roxane Shante portrayed her story as an overnight sensation. She grew up not very rich and learned about the hardships a young girl needed to face as an upcoming Hip-hop artist. She wanted to share her story and express the truths of her life- the personal experiences and emotions that she was dealing with. Drugs, violence and preganancy were just a few of the struggles she had to face. Although she experienced peer pressure, she dedicated most of her efforts in rapping. At a young age, she had talent as a rapper. She did not let anything hold her back and rapped with passion to fulfill her dreams. Fame was inevitable with her vocal lyrics. When she shared her success with others, some did not respond with the same enthusiasm-a man beat her and brutally punched her out of envy. Despite the hardships she faced, she turned her experiences into motivation and beautiful lyrics that shared a part of her life.

Say My Name. Dir. MAMAMESS. 2009.