Nola Darling Interview
By: Simóne Banks
The Nola Darling Challenge
How significant is it for a musical artist to remain authentic? Many struggle with the choice of being true to their music or signing to a mainstream label with the option of sacrificing their passion for a check. Lately, the hip hop community has been the target of questionable moments of authenticity. In regard to the female emcee, many of the questionable moments of authenticity has been associated with images reflecting women of color. How are they represented in lyrics and videos and more importantly, how are they representing themselves? The answers aren’t always easy to pin-point. Many look to blame male counterparts, and many blame the female artists. But, for emerging female artists that work hard to represent themselves and want to be judged by their music first; where do they fit in? How do they enter into a music community that doesn’t pride in lyrical and musical critique initially for the female emcee but rather focus on physical image? There are five reasons why the duo Nola Darling will be the new sweet faces of hip hop and why they are working hard to earn their respect; and aren’t willing to receive it based on image.
Honest:
Their names are Alex and Jaq. Covering grounds from
Jaq: We draw from a lot of different places. Where we are from and where we are in our lives. In hip hop, women are not allowed to express themselves fully; there is no freedom present between the subculture and mainstream. Within ourselves, we try to embody the fusion of a valley girl flavor, bad girl flavor, flirty flavor and not being limited because we identify with hip hop.
Alex: There are typical roles that are set aside for women in hip hop. The typical look and statements and objective views; we are fully clothed and that’s just how we choose to be free and not to conform.
Grounded:
Maintaining a strong exterior and a much softer interior is only one approach by the Darling ladies. Soft spoken, many equate them as singers before they step on stage and rock the mic. Fully clad, their look is much classier than the typical mainstream female emcee.
Jaq: There are definitely choices but it depends on what is presented to you on one hand and how you choose from what’s presented. My dad says he’s a feminist; he always encouraged me to notice multi-cultural women that were always doing something positive in society. We have so many role models out there, but it’s a choice to go look for them. Like Kelis; I commend her because she is her own person and has maintained who she is throughout her career in the mainstream industry.
Alex: Our parents provided and encouraged us to seek out examples of who we wanted to be. We know our worth and there are a lot of pressures in the industry we must overcome.
Courageous:
Artist responsibility is more like an obligation for Nola Darling. What comes out their lips must reflect their reality and the things they believe in. They don’t want to be a wasted skill. There is nothing more annoying to the ladies than an artist that comes into the game with passion but remains stagnant once they reach their high.
Alex: First I want to talk about fantasy vs. reality. I think everybody knows that Al Pacino is not Scarface, he is not Tony Montana. He is an actor. I feel like, for musicians it’s different. Usually you are bringing yourself and your own personality. It’s your voice, your words. It’s your personality that you are selling. Not the directors or the producers. Not to say that there aren’t images that are crafted by the labels, but at the end of the day, it’s you. I think that everything we rap about may not be everything we have experienced, but as artists that interpret the world…if it feels right to us, than we can only speak our truth. How can we speak someone else’s truth? When you are in the lime light and your voice is heard to the masses, you can’t waste the power you have to change minds or to create change. We have a responsibility to talk about what is going on in the world. Those that don’t want to step up to the plate, are childish and need to step the fuck up!
Jaq: Be real with yourself and it’s nothing new. People want to sell so badly, and that’s not what we are influenced by. We are cultural observers and it’s going to come out, naturally. At the end of the day, we are undeniably us. As a society, we want the myth of Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. I feel like that is part of the game and I’m not saying that that’s how it should be and there is nothing wrong with violence and sex because if that’s your story…I’m not mad at you. Thank you for surviving it. But, why not use your power to steer people away from the life you lived and use the power wisely, but in retrospect.
Provocative:
History has brought many images of female emcees; MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim, Lauryn Hill and many others. Each artist has their own image and their own form of representing who they are and how society associates or categorizes them. But, when you compare the choice of how each artist may have used their moment of power to influence their listeners, there are obvious contradictions. How important is it to use the power you have as an artist once it’s in your hands?
Jaq: There is nothing wrong with being popular, it’s just, do your own thing! In artistry, you put yourself in a place where you shouldn’t be…you can’t be complacent. When you are in that position of power, you can’t be ignorant and waste that position of power. Personally, I don’t want to waste it and throw it away. What are you going to do to change the world around you? There is a lot we can do to change the greater world, but in your own community that’s where the impact is.
Alex: There are artists that come up from the “hood” and they go on and on and on about it. But, now that you are out of it, what are you going to do about that same little boy of today that is going through it. It needs to be thrown in their face about their responsibility. We as Black people have a responsibility to nurture and protect hip hop. We need to keep it strong for social change, because that’s what it was intended for.
Jaq: There really is no tool for social change. There is not standard to what you do once you have that power. Like in sports, they have organizations that gear the players as an orientation into their change of lifestyle because it’s a family sport and their image must be protected. But, you can’t say that you don’t know anymore, because you know! So, step up! Not everyone can create a foundation. But, it’s so easy to say why you don’t say something, but if all we hear is “I’m so hood” and I don’t want to be anything else, what else can we gain? It is entertainment, but at the same time we are perpetrating the same negative images. The images America is rooted on anyway.
Optimistic:
Nola Darling can be seen as history makers. They are challenging music and demanding respect. The image of the female artist needs to be protected. It’s okay to have a slick tongue and an elegant profile, just be wise on how you use your fire when directed to your listeners. Their music will be available early 2008 for your personal pleasure. Titled The Pretty Gritty Mix Tape will be a chronicle of the past two years of their lives. There is something for everyone they state, and you won’t be disappointed at all by their team of production and collaborations. A mini tour is in the works, but some details you’ll have to wait for. To hear and learn more, www.myspace.com/whoisnoladarling
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