Last year, hip-hop turned 50. As the culture around hip-hop has grown — powered by commercial success and the money that comes with it — it has branched out into subgenres and overflowed into film, fashion, and corporate America to become more than just music. And while men might sometimes take up the most space, women have always held hip-hop down.
Presently, we are living through a golden era of women in hip-hop. Don’t forget that Megan Thee Stallion first rapped “real curvy, no etching” way before “BBL Drizzy” burrowed itself inside our brains.
Presently, we are living through a golden era of women in hip-hop. Don’t forget that Megan Thee Stallion first rapped “real curvy, no etching” way before “BBL Drizzy” burrowed itself inside our brains.
So, Baltimore Beat couldn’t wait to check out some of the city’s most talented rappers at “RegE.ruckuS & Sistah Dee Present: Hip Hop at the 8×10 – Beauty & Barz at the 8×10.” It was held on April 12.
The show was divided into three rounds, with each performer rocking a set during each round. The show included Martina Lynch, Si Notes, Lyfe the Oracle, Omnia Azar, Finesse Da Illa Emcee, Eva Rhymes, and Sistah Dee, who also co-produced and promoted the event.
The 8×10 in Federal Hill has been a Baltimore staple since its opening in 1983. They started the “Hip Hop at 8×10” series around seven years ago with Promoter RegE.ruckuS at the helm.
“We love to mix up all the genres,” 8×10 owner Abigail Janssens said. “The only way you’re gonna build the audience is by having diversity in the lineups.”
Though the hip-hop-focused series has been running for years, “Beauty & Barz” was its most successful, with its lineup of only female emcees.
Though the hip-hop-focused series has been running for years, “Beauty & Barz” was its most successful, with its lineup of only female emcees.
“A lot of that had to do with the way the show was set up,” Janssens said. “Having the three rounds meant people stuck around longer for the artist they came to see as opposed to leaving right after their set.”
“The culture right now is very female-driven,” RegE.ruckuS said. “I thought it would be important to have a moment to highlight the women of Baltimore hip-hop. We also wanted to bridge the gap of ages so we had someone from almost every age group on the bill.”
Sistah Dee co-curated the show. It was her first show partnering with RegE.ruckuS, and she said she knew she wanted to make it something very special.
“Because there were so many dope women on the bill, I wanted to make sure that this platform stood high enough for the light to shine like in them that they deserved to have it,” Sistah Dee said.
“Because there were so many dope women on the bill, I wanted to make sure that this platform stood high enough for the light to shine like in them that they deserved to have it,” Sistah Dee said.
Omnia Azar, who announced the show would be her last one for the foreseeable future, started her set with a heartfelt speech of gratitude to the city for its support.
Azar, who moved to Baltimore from Michigan in 2013, said she had been honored to be an artist in the city.
“I’ve been truly seen, supported, respected, felt, and honored as an artist in the greatest city in America,” she said.
Azar said this artistic calling is not something she takes for granted.
“Every move, every connection, every space, and opportunity has organically transpired. I’m blessed to have worked with some of Baltimore’s most legendary artists,” she said.
It was important for Azar to close this chapter of her career at the 8×10 with “Beauty & Barz,” and alongside her fellow performers.
“It was SO MUCH LOVE in the building,” she told Baltimore Beat via text.
Lyfe the Oracle opened her second set with a hilarious monologue about the state of hip-hop.
Photo credit: Sydney Allen
“It’s nuffin’ but a bunch of fake asses,” she told the crowd. She spaced the words out to sound like she meant phony people, then flipped it so the crowd understood that she was also referencing BBLs.
“Only thing fake on me is this hair. I got this shit on because this the shit ya’ll like. I don’t be wearing this shit. This is a special occasion.”
DJ King Freeman held down the decks for each artist, and each emcee kept the crowd engaged.
Sistah Dee said that her work with “Beauty & Barz” and the strength and talent of the performers help highlight the unity within the scene.
“There’s a saying, ‘there’s nothing new under the sun.’ There was a time when there was a consistent, strong presence of women in hip-hop … and for the most part, they stood collectively, even in their different squads. I’m talking Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Yo Yo and more,” she said.
“I believe even with the different types of women that rap, those that embody emceeism (lyricism, respect, and honoring of the art) are now again more open to working together and creating platforms that spotlight us, just as much as our male counterparts,” she said via text.
The next Hip Hop at the 8×10 is July 12.