Kirk Anthony: What got you interested in pursuing a career in hip-hop?

Eternia: I never really consciously ‘chose’ Hip-Hop. I’ve been rapping since around the age of 8. Passion feeds Talent, and vice versa. Why not do what you love for a living, and do what God gave you gifts in? It was a no-brainer.

KA: What current projects you are working on?

E: It’s Top Secret! LOL! No really though… it is. I can say I’m exclusive to one producer right now. And I’m pretty excited about it.

KA: Who are your major hip-hop influences?

E: Man, where do I begin? Golden era hip hop in general. ATCQ, Digable, Organized Konfusion, Jeru, Nas, Big Pun, Shabazz the Disciple, Maestro Fresh Wes, Arsonists, Fugees, Onyx, Busta, Latifah… list goes on…. And on. I was sonically influenced by the crews I rolled in, comin’ up, the most. So that would be Nextra in Canada, Demigodz in the U.S., also Collizhun of Tough Dumplin taught me a lot. Cats I toured with taught me a lot. I’m a mix of a lot of different influences.

KA: How would you describe the current Canadian hip-hop scene?

E: Finally catching up. Finally getting the respect it always deserves. Finally taking pride in itself -- finally flying.

KA: Judging from the reaction of the crowd at your performance at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, one would think you are much more in the mainstream consciousness than it appears you are. Why do you think such positive reaction and acceptance concerning your live performances and recorded work is not, as yet, translating to mainstream knowledge, acceptance, & acknowledgement of your work?

E: That’s a very good question. I think when people are presented w/undeniable professionalism and skill, it’s hard for them not to acknowledge it. But you kinda gotta serve it to ‘em on a silver platter, like force-feed ‘em, in order for them to acknowledge it. Like Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest, I’m really indebted to promoters that put their money and time behind me, knowing that I can rise to the occasion. I’ve been havin’ to force feed since the beginning of my career! LOL! It seems to work respect is earned. I just have a lot more audiences to hit before the acknowledgement is a given and to be honest, maybe it’s better for it to not be a given -- keeps me hungry and goal-oriented.

KA: Browsing through some past interviews you have done, I see you are a politically & socially conscious person who is using your artistry to help spread awareness of many political & social issues. What sparked your interest in being involved in such an arena, and what political & social issues concern you the most?

E: I don’t consider myself “political,” but I do have a strong passion for a lot of social issues and I like to encourage social change – growth in my music and my dialogue and my life. Growth is life. I care about the situation of women and girls around the world. I care about exposing and eliminating violence against women. I care about making people aware of any issue of inequality, on a micro or macro scale, because that just comes around and hurts us individually and collectively. We are one.

KA: As a “skill abundant” MC, how do you feel about the apparent current state of hip-hop where it seems one has to be skill deficient with good advertising to have mainstream success?

E: LOL! That’s a good description right there, ‘skill abundant’… thank you kindly! I mean, I’ve seen that scenario from time. There’s always been product in the music industry that was smoke and mirrors, McDonalds fast food, then there’s - you know -- the genuine real deal, the full meal product. I’d like to think when people’s tummies start reacting negatively to junk food, they’re gonna switch over to the real deal -- hopefully.

KA: What do you think has to be done to get the general hip hop fan base to appreciate highly-skilled female MC’s on the same level (or even a greater level as it should be) as they appreciate the scantily-clad, “video chick” female “MC’s”?

E: Just present it to ‘em. Again. And Again. And Again. “If you build it, they will come”. I give the general population a lot of credit for knowing what’s dope and attaching themselves to good music. You just have to put it in front of their faces, that’s all. So I don’t blame the fanbase. I blame the industry (investors/labels/cosigners/industry) for not trusting the audience enough to give ‘em something of greater substance and having faith that it will fly.

KA: What makes you continue to “plug away” in this hip-hop industry when it seems like there is no female MC of your caliber having any mainstream success as yet?

E: ‘Cause it’s as natural as breathing. Because I can’t picture doing anything else. Because it pours out of me, even if I ain’t trying. This is the difference between “work” and “life.” I don’t ‘choose’ to do hip hop music. It chose me. “I’m a sojourner, where the spirit leads I will go.”

KA: What advice you have for truly talented female MC’s trying to make inroads in a hip-hop/rap industry that seems to be slanted against them?

E: Know yourself. Know your deal breakers, your dos and don’ts. Know what you believe in, and stand for because if you don’t define that for yourself, someone else will, and there’s nothing worse than living someone else’s definition of you.