Interview with Queen The Prophet
Nahila S – When and how did you start MCing?
Queen The Prophet -I’ve been a writer and a poet ever since I was a little kid. I wrote my very first rap when I was 12. I didn’t formally record anything until 2012 and haven’t stopped since.
Nahila S– Where does the name Queen the Prophet come from?
Queen The Prophet – Queen has always been a nickname associated with me. I’m a very firm believer that all women are meant to be Queens, some just don’t know it yet. Prophet is a gift and calling from God and means a person regarded as an inspired teacher and proclaimer of the will of God (which is underlying message of the music I make). Queen the Prophet became my formal identity in 2010. Those closest to me mostly refer to me as just “Prophet” or “QTP”.
Nahila S – What or who were your early influences?
Queen The Prophet – Salt n Pepa had a huge impact on me as a kid, my older cousins were always playing Public Enemy, the first hip-hop album I bought with my own money was Nice & Smooth “Ain’t a damn thing changed”. I listened to a lot of MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Moni Love, Redman, Nas, Wu-Tang, Biggie, 2Pac but I would have to say the most influential artist to me personally was and is Lauryn Hill.
Nahila S – You are the 1st Lady of the Ghetto Government Officials. Can you explain to us what it is and how it was born?
Queen The Prophet – Ghetto Government was a concept Hell Razah (Sunz of Man/ WuTang Clan) introduced in the early 90’s. Raz had reached out to me in 2012 via social media for some assistance with his projects. At that time I was busy with the business end of music for a few artists I was helping and busy working on my own. GG had just started growing and flowing into other states and countries but had no real solid structure. Raz asked me to be a part of his team, communicated what his vision was for a global movement impacting the community through GG and getting his label Hell Razah Music, Inc up off the ground and I did the behind the scenes structure, organizing, project Management for collaborative projects and the rest is history in the making. I’m humbled to have been a part of bringing Raz’s vision to life and I’m so proud of the amazing group of people we have spread out around the globe who are making music with a message and serving their communities. Each and everyone of them brings their God given gifts and talents to the table and are an instrumental part of the movement.
Nahila S – Beside your musical career you are also very involved into the human and social services fields. Am thinking about your blog for instance, could you tell us more about it?
Queen The Prophet – I’ve worked in the human service / social service field for 15 years. I’m extremely active in the disability community and I also mentor at-risk youth, especially those who have an interest in the music industry. My blog queentheprophet.com is where I tie both sides of my life together. I write a lot about faith, relationships, life lessons, specialized topics (I.e parental rights, autism) and of course hip-hop.
Nahila S – To date what are your best career achievements?
Queen The Prophet – In 2006 I was selected to receive an award called “40 under 40” which was given to 40 individuals under the age of 40 who were the up & coming community leaders to watch. In 2011 I became my own service provider for youth & families, and I am still amazed that the first track I ever released made so much noise in the underground digital music world that it became it’s own path.
Nahila S – What positive does your passion for music bring you?
Queen The Prophet – Purpose. The positive that my passion for music brings me is purpose. I make music to inspire, teach, encourage and awaken people’s souls and when somebody “gets it”? The purpose is fulfilled.
Nahila S – What are you current projects?
Queen The Prophet – This past year Raz has been finishing up filming his documentary so that’s kept us pretty busy and I’ve been doing a ton of community stuff this year. There’s a GGO album coming tentatively 2016, and as far as personal project wise I’m finishing up “The New Testament” project which will be a free download and I’ve started working on my album.
Nahila S – As a conclusion what advise would you give to someone willing to start MCing?
Queen The Prophet – Do it for the love never for the money, that way you’ll never be disappointed.
Learn more about Queen The Prophet:
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Blog: www.queentheprophet.com (Check out her Hip Hop 101 tab to get advise about how to manage your musical career)
Artist Info: artistecard.com/queentheprophet
Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/queentheprophet
Facebook: Facebook.com/queentheprophet7
Twitter: @queentheprophet
Instagram: queentheprophet