Tachelle: Who is Tylibah?

Tylibah: Tylibah is a universal artist that speaks to female empowerment.  I am a voice for people in poverty in urban areas.  I'm an artist that speaks to everyone.

T: Background and how it connects to your artistry?

TY: Everything about my background has helped to develop me as an artist.  I use it as a tool to help to revive the mission of empowering people, and keeping them motivated to pursue their mission and purpose in life.

T: When did you first know that you were an artist?

TY: I always knew it. I always enjoyed writing poems, short stores,  lyrics, and singing songs.  I grew up in the choir and around music.  My mother is an accomplished singer.  So this is kind of ingrained in me.

T: What inspires you to create?

TY: Knowing that everyday I am striving to change my surroundings and wake up to a better environment.

T: Favorite emcee of all time?

TY: Queen Latifah because she made a complete 360 in her life.  She started as a rapper and went on to become an Oscar nominated actress, model, and singer.  There is nothing she can't do.  She stated out grassroots in the inner city just like me.  So lyrically it is her but performance wise I would say Janet Jackson.  She is still carrying the torch of one of the best performers that ever lived--in the memory and legacy of her brother Michael Jackson.

T: Tell us about your most memorable performance.

TY: My most memorable performance was at the African Burial Grounds.  There were not so many people there from my demographic, but it signified something important which is the interment ceremony of our ancestors in NYC.  I got to meet some very accomplished people.  In particular I got to develop a relationship with Cicely Tyson and she is my mentor to this day.

T:  What are your thoughts about women in hip hop right now?

TY: I think it’s our time now to stretch out and let the world know who we are.  We carry the world on our backs.   We are mother earth.  We are queen beings.  I think we have so much to say and now is our time to be heard.

T: What issue is important to you?

TY: Right now the issue important to me is the female movement.  I want to help us remember how special and important we are and how much we contribute to the earth.

T: How have you rallied around this issue?

TY: Charity work.  So much of what I've done and started came out of me growing up in a household where the importance of civil activism was expressed.  So that's a big part of what I am doing.  We still have problems and need to resolve them.  My plan is to bring that to light through good music.  Also Leebah Baby Productions, which is my company, houses Leebah Treasures Charity.  The charity is for girls 7-18 years old.  We have mentorship programs, arts workshops, and more to allow us to never forget the center of who we are and what we do.

T: Tell us about new projects you are working on.

TY: I'm working on a mixtape now in conjunction with Yo Raps magazine which is an online site.  The mixtape is going to be the warmer record for the album.  They also capture my vlog which is called Tylibah Time -- the road to the album.  The vlog airs every week and you get insights into what I'm doing as I go about making my album.  Hopefully I will have some more books by next year.  I will also start shooting a film project with director Ron Elliott called "saykue."  I am also going to be in the legendary F.E.D.S. magazine.  I have a spread there in the September issue talking about who I am as an artist. Plus this summer we will premiere my online reality TV show "for the dream" on  fedstv.com  -- The show goes in depth into what I am doing; my struggles, the highs and lows, the victories and disappointments.

T:  Are you producing any of the music or will you in the future?

TY: That's something that I really want to start doing.  My brother Keyz is a great musician and producer.  I ask him to teach me the boards but like he says all the time he taught himself.  So I'm gonna get an MPC player and start making some beats in the near future.

TY: What's next for you?

T: Putting out this album and getting on the road and performing.  That's what I eat, sleep and dream about because who I am is captured on stage.  The songs on the radio is cool, but I'm real excited about getting on the road and touching the fans.  I'm good and chilling.  I am in a good place.

T: How can people keep up with what you are up to?

TY: You can holla at me on twitter.com/tylibah or Google my name.  I'm vey accessible.  You never know I'll pop up anywhere!  To Hear Tylibah’s music go to www.myspace.com/leebahbaby1