Monie Love on Queen Latifah's genius, Cardi B's star power & Fat Joe's Native Tongues connection
Digest
This podcast delves into the multifaceted world of hip-hop, tracing Mony Long's career from her early days in the UK to her iconic status. It highlights the cultural phenomenon of her song "Money in the Middle," her unique identity as a British artist in the US, and the birth of the UK hip-hop scene. The conversation touches on pivotal collaborations, including her work with Queen Latifah on "Ladies First" and her connection to the Native Tongues collective through Chris Lighty. The episode examines the evolution of hip-hop recording, the changing landscape for female MCs, and the importance of studying hip-hop history and the craft of MCing and DJing. It also discusses the significant impact of social media on artists' careers, drawing parallels between Mony Long's experiences and contemporary artists like Cardi B. The discussion further explores radio politics, influential female artists who paved the way, and tributes to hip-hop legends like Guru. Finally, it reflects on the broader themes of artist development, the role of energy and buzz in success, the resurgence of conscious hip-hop, and the importance of historical accuracy in understanding culture.
Outlines
Introduction and Mony Long's Career Genesis
The podcast "If You Can Hear Me" explores culture and the soul, introducing Mony Long and the unexpected success of her song "Money in the Middle." It delves into her identity as a British artist navigating the US and the origins of the UK hip-hop scene, inspired by American culture. Mony Long shares her early career experiences, including securing a record deal at 16 and the challenges that followed.
Forming Connections: Native Tongues and "Ladies First"
Mony Long recounts meeting Queen Latifah and the Jungle Brothers, leading to her inclusion in the legendary Native Tongues collective. She describes the collaborative studio session for "Ladies First," highlighting the shared vision and energy with Queen Latifah. The conversation also touches on the evolution of hip-hop recording from in-person sessions to remote work.
Industry Pillars: Chris Lighty and Business Acumen
The deep connection between Mony Long and the Native Tongues crew is explored through their shared history with Chris Lighty. Mony Long describes "The Violators" and their business tactics, led by Chris Lighty, who ensured artists were compensated. Fat Joe and Mony Long discuss Chris Lighty's profound impact on their careers, emphasizing his dedication to supporting artists and fair business practices.
Evolution of Hip Hop: Female MCs and Artist Dynamics
The discussion shifts to the evolution of female MCs in hip hop, contrasting the Native Tongues era with the current landscape. It explores the trend of increased individualism among artists versus the past "family" or "crew" mentality. The importance of studying legends and hip-hop history for growth and innovation is emphasized, alongside the dedication required for DJ battles and MCing.
Crafting Style: Learning from Legends and Mentors
Mony Long explains how she developed her unique MC style by studying Big Daddy Kane and learning DJing from Clark Kent, deepening her respect for hip-hop culture. Tributes are paid to Rock Raider for his DJing skills, reiterating the importance of learning the craft.
Modern Influences: Social Media and Artist Perception
Advertisements for Hard Rock Bet and iHeartRadio's Winter Games celebration are featured. Mony Long believes social media would have amplified her career and praises Cardi B for her social media mastery and relatability, especially regarding motherhood.
Navigating the Industry: Pregnancy, Politics, and Female Pioneers
Mony Long discusses intentionally getting pregnant during her prime and continuing her career, challenging industry stigma. The conversation details the intense rivalry between Hot 97 and Power 105.1 and the pressure artists faced. Mony Long highlights influential female artists like Pebbley Pooh, Roxanne Shante, Salt-N-Pepa, and MC Lyte who inspired her.
Artistic Bonds and Live Performances
The discussion touches upon Special Ed's early career and MC Lyte's rise. Mony Long shares how meeting MC Lyte solidified their artistic bond, and she recounts the nerve-wracking experience of her first live performance of "Ladies First" with Queen Latifah.
Tributes, History, and Social Media Clarifications
Mony Long explains her latest project, "Love Notes," as a tribute to Guru. Early hip-hop influences and the origins of "Ice Grill" are discussed. Mony Long addresses a comment made by Joe, clarifying their relationship and criticizing social media entitlement, aiming to clarify her history with him. Personal anecdotes about receiving help and advice on social media interactions are shared.
The Essence of Hip-Hop: Energy, Originators, and Conscious Lyrics
The discussion shifts to how "energy" and street buzz contribute to an artist's success, using French Montana as an example. The importance of acknowledging influential artists like Monee is discussed. The conversation touches on a resurgence of "originators" and conscious lyrics, highlighting Chubb Rock as a significant influence. The speaker recounts receiving "keys to the city" and reflects on the impact of Chubb Rock's music and the evolution of hip-hop, lamenting the loss of conscious messaging. The concept of conscious hip-hop is revisited, referencing artists who delivered impactful messages beyond music. A story about historical narratives and misinformation is shared.
Keywords
Mony Long
A prominent female rapper known for her hit song "Money in the Middle," which became a cultural phenomenon. She discusses her career, influences, and experiences in the hip hop industry.
Native Tongues
An influential hip hop collective formed in the late 1980s, known for its positive messages, Afrocentric themes, and jazz-influenced beats. Key members include De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Jungle Brothers.
Queen Latifah
A groundbreaking female rapper, actress, and producer. She was a key figure in the Native Tongues collective and collaborated with Mony Long on the iconic song "Ladies First."
Chris Lighty
A highly respected hip hop executive and manager, known for his work with Violator Management. He played a crucial role in the careers of many artists, including Mony Long and Fat Joe.
Hip Hop Evolution
The transformation and development of hip hop music and culture over time, encompassing changes in sound, lyrical content, business practices, and the role of artists.
Female MCs
Female artists who rap, highlighting their contributions, challenges, and evolution within the male-dominated hip hop industry.
Radio Politics
The complex dynamics and power struggles within the radio industry, particularly concerning music promotion, artist support, and station rivalries like Hot 97 vs. Power 105.1.
Social Media Impact
The influence of social media platforms on artists' careers, public perception, and the dissemination of information, including both positive amplification and the rise of entitlement.
Artist Development
The process of nurturing and promoting musical talent. This involves identifying potential, providing resources, and strategizing for career growth, often requiring a blend of talent, energy, and industry support.
Conscious Hip-Hop
A subgenre of hip-hop that focuses on social, political, and cultural awareness. Artists in this genre often address issues of inequality, injustice, and community empowerment through their lyrics.
Q&A
What was the significance of Mony Long's song "Money in the Middle"?
"Money in the Middle" became a massive cultural catchphrase, defining Mony Long's public image and surpassing even her Grammy nominations in terms of recognition.
How did the UK hip hop scene develop?
The UK hip hop scene emerged from a deep love for American hip hop culture, with artists creating their own sound inspired by US movies and radio broadcasts before fully embracing artists from the US.
What was the role of Chris Lighty in the careers of artists like Mony Long?
Chris Lighty, through Violator Management, was instrumental in ensuring artists were properly compensated and supported, acting as a protective force and business strategist.
How did the rivalry between Hot 97 and Power 105.1 affect artists?
Artists faced pressure to choose sides, potentially impacting their airplay on one station if they supported the other, creating a difficult political landscape.
Who were some of Mony Long's key influences among female MCs?
Mony Long was inspired by Pebbley Pooh, Roxanne Shante, Salt-N-Pepa, and MC Lyte, who provided courage, fearlessness, and a blueprint for navigating the hip hop world.
What is the importance of studying hip hop history?
Understanding the history of hip hop allows artists and fans to gain a deeper appreciation for the culture, learn from past innovations, and contribute to its continued evolution.
How has social media changed the perception of artists and their careers?
Social media has amplified artists' reach and allowed for greater relatability, but it has also fostered a sense of entitlement and sometimes leads to uninformed criticism due to a lack of historical context.
What was Mony Long's experience with pregnancy and the music industry?
Mony Long faced industry pressure to hide her pregnancies, but she chose to embrace motherhood while continuing her career, challenging the sexist norms of the time.
What advice is given regarding social media interactions?
The speaker advises people to relax on social media, avoid attacking others, and be mindful of the impact of their posts, emphasizing that online interactions can have real-world consequences.
How did energy and street buzz contribute to French Montana's success?
Despite initial resistance from the industry, French Montana's music was already popular in the streets. Once a key supporter played his demo, his "energy" and existing buzz propelled him to superstardom within six months.
Who is highlighted as a significant influence in hip-hop, and why?
Chubb Rock is presented as a major influence. The speaker shares how Chubb Rock's tapes were listened to daily during the creation of their first album, emphasizing the impact of his flows and lyrical content.
What is the core message about conscious hip-hop that is being missed today?
The transcript suggests that conscious hip-hop, which delivers profound knowledge and life lessons, is missing. Artists like Cares and Nas used to drop "jewels" that educated and empowered listeners, a quality lacking in much of today's music.
Show Notes
Fat Joe and Jadakiss are joined by the legend Monie Love. Monie tells Joe and Jada about the genius Queen Latifah displayed on their "Ladies First" collaboration, why she was amazed when "Monie In The Middle" took off the way it did, the link between Joe and the legendary Native Tongues crew, what sets Cardi B apart from her contemporaries, and the radio wars between Hot 97 and Power 105.1. Joe and Monie also break down why there couldn't be any beef between them after Joe's comments about Monie's career in the De La Soul episode.
Joe and Jada is now STREAMING ON NETFLIX!
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