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Kirk Anthony: What new projects are you working on now?
Pri: Right now I am currently working on my solo debut album via Ludovia Entertainment. It is entitled, "She's the Producer" and has been pushed back for release in February. The album is written, produced and performed by myself. I am also working on building a mentoring program for young teens interested in the arts and I am working on expanding my organization. The organization is called, The Female Producers Association and it is a networking organization for women in the entertainment industry (www.femaleproducers.org).
KA: After getting your start as an MC, what got you interested in producing?
Pri: Actually I became interested in producing after seeing my son's father, Afrobluu doing it. He taught me how to produce on a Tascam Porta 1 and an Ensoniq sampling keyboard ten years ago and the rest is history.
KA: What led you to found the Female Producers Association? How large has the group gotten? How would a female producer interested in joining your organization get in contact with it?
Pri: I founded the organization out of networking frustration. I became tired of trying to network and make business connections while the other party either did not take me seriously or had "something else" in mind. I felt it to be productive, empowering and necessary to have a network of talented women to reach out to and connect with professionally and socially. The FPA membership currently has 326 members. Women interested in joining the organization may do so by visiting www.femaleproducers.org.
KA: On an overall level, do you think female producers have made better inroads in the industry compared to 10 years ago?
Pri: Women producers are not new to the music industry. However, I believe we still have a long way to go as far as recognition is concerned. Especially in the Hip Hop community. I also feel that although it is much harder as a woman to gain respect for their craft, the industry is beginning to embrace the fact that women are behind the boards, producing tracks, engineering sessions & running through the business circuit, etc., etc.
KA: Why do you think it’s so hard for female MC’s with actual skills to make any major inroads in the industry (something not done since Lauryn Hill)? Pri: I feel it is hard, because the industry is no longer looking for skills. They want what sells and obviously skill isn't a part of that equation. People need to understand the music industry is a business...period! The industry is not in the profession of selling what you may like. They are in the profession of getting you to "like what they sell." There are only a few slotted categories for women in the business "industry" of hip hop. They are model chick, ho chick, thug chick and nothing in between. This industry does not know how to market women, because there aren't enough women in higher positions to teach it how to do so. My answer to that is to rethink your own strategies and create your own "industry.” There are too many outlets & resources now for any woman to have to depend on a major label for her success and that will be determined based on what she views as being "successful."
KA: I have learned there are women in every aspect of the hip-hop industry as I’m working with Femmixx.com; how can the ladies in all these aspects of the industry network and interact with each other better?
Pri: I feel the best way to interact with each other is to create mini networks of your own. I started the organization, The Female Producers Association for just that reason. I felt there was a networking void for women in this industry. I also feel that women need to start venturing out more to events, conferences, speaking engagements, performances, classes & workshops…etc., where other women in the field will be present. There are some powerful and knowledgeable women out there, but you will never know unless your face is out there. Word of advice though...Please keep in contact once you get their info! A business card does you no good chillin' in your binder collecting dust mites.
KA: What are your impressions of the current state of the hip-hop culture, and industry?
Pri: Well I believe hip hop culture will always thrive, because the culture is something we live and it can survive without the industry aspect of things. The hip hop industry however is lacking horribly! In current music, there is no originality, complete lack of song structure, a focus more on video than the song itself and sheer boredom. I remember back in the day when I could cut on the radio and hear so many variations of hip hop. Now it's the same thing over and over, but recycled by different artists and I use that term "artists" very loosely.
KA: How do you juggle your interests (MC’ing, producing, & acting) without appreciably neglecting any of them?
Pri: Well, I am not an actor, at least not professionally...lol. However I am an MC, producer, songwriter, interior designer and above all things, a mother. It can be extremely challenging juggling so many hats, but I find if I allot a certain amount of time in the day to each, I get more accomplished. I realize it's all a matter of focus.
KA: Talk about motherhood and being an emcee/producer.
Pri: My son was raised in music. Not only am I an MC/producer, his father is a DJ/producer as well. My son grew up on soul, hip hop, reggae, rock, alternative and even gospel. You name it he heard it. My son also had to deal with autism and I used music and art to teach him to speak and overcome that hurdle. It's hard being away from him when I can't bring him with me. I allow him to travel with me to certain performances out of NY whenever possible to show him another world besides that of which he was exposed to everyday. Despite how many shows or how much traveling, I ALWAYS make sure my son comes first and that I am visible to him. I had exposed him to the true hip hop culture from early on, so his foundation is set. I have even taught him how to produce music.
KA: In what ways has your son been inspired by you? Pri: I can't speak directly for my son, but I personally believe my creativity has inspired my son tremendously. He is currently an artist. I taught him about animation, painting and cartooning early on. He also makes beats himself. He is an old soul who rocks Gene Chandler, Marvin Gaye & J Dilla in his Ipod. Introducing him to art & music has helped him overcome a lot of obstacles in his life I believe watching me on stage allows him to feel that he can do anything he puts his mind to. I am extremely proud of him.
KA: What do you say to emcees out there like Lil Wayne who has children and a large youth following, but chooses not to write meaningful lyrics for them?
Pri: I can't comment on the parenting skills of Lil' Wayne, because I do not know him personally. However I feel it's a two sided coin. On one end, kids do look up to artist and absorb what they say as a fact sheet to life. Therefore, we should be mindful of what we say within our lyrics. On the other hand, parents & relatives of parents who don't set great examples need to step up and start taking responsibility for their child's way of thinking. If a child is taught the differences between what's on record & the reality of life, as well as right vs. wrong, negative stereotypes would not influence them in the same fashion. I made sure to explain this to my son early on. He does not take any of these songs seriously and also questions their ethics. Negative images, statements and stereotypes within music have been here since the dawning of time and will remain as long as someone is dropping dollars. How we prepare our children to deal with it is the important issue. KA: How would you describe your production sound and style?
Pri: My style is very orchestrated. I guess you can call it street orchestration...lol. Some people state I sound like a "female DR Dre." I guess that is a compliment, because I am a fan. However I feel I do have a signature sound. I like a lot of classical inspired sounds as well as hard hitting drums and dark effects. I like my tracks to be very cinematic. I have taught myself to produce a variety of genres. Therefore the style of my music may change, but my signature sound seems to remain within the track.
KA: What artists would you love to go to the recording studio with?
Pri: Etta James, Prince, Alicia Keys, MC Lyte, Pink, Stevie Wonder, M.O.P, Jill Scott, Portishead, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Fall Out Boy, Rob Murat, Aretha Franklin, Teena Marie...etc...etc...to name a very FEW. I feel like each individual would offer something specific I would be able to learn.
KA: For a MC/producer such as yourself, how do you decide between keeping a hot beat you made for yourself or trying to make it available for an artist?
Pri: I just keep reminding myself that I will always be able to produce something equally hot or even better later, therefore I do not stress it and it keeps me motivated.
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