Interview: 17 yr old Activist, Emcee, and Boxer Nene Ali drops Knowledge

Artist Spotlight

17 yr old Activist, Emcee, and Boxer Nene Ali drops Knowledge

MMML: Give us some background info as to who you are.

Nene Ali: I’m a Spoken Word / MC Aka, Poetic MC, a Boxer and activist. 

MMML: Who came up with the concept and directed the music video“This is for you?

Nene Ali: Wow! That’s all Intikana. The concept of the song, the direction the video was shot, how is was shot and edited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYsql-G9jc

MMML: What single or project are you currently pushing?

Nene Ali: I have an untitled mixed CD that I’m doing and been doing for a while. I’m collaborating with some really dope MC’s in Hip Hop and of course some of the pioneers. I love them for what they selflessly gave to us, which is culture. In addition, I have a documentary out titled “Who Is Nene Ali” a T- Shirt from my Guerrilla Republik family. They are the brand that protects the brand. I need to go in and do another spoken word album soon as well.

MMML: That all sounds great. I see that you are very busy and branding yourself really well. Can’t wait for the new projects to drop.

MMML: What is the philosophy by which you live by?

Nene Ali: Be Truthful and to treat people the way I would like to be treated. 

MMML: Which artists have inspired you?

Nene Ali: My biggest influence came by way of a Spoken Word Artist name TAALAM ACEY. Had I not gotten my hand on his Morally Bankrupt CD, I can honestly say– there wouldn’t have been a Nene Ali. I’m an underground artist. In fact- I love being there so much UNDERGROUND is my mainstream. I would have to say Narubi Selah- her ( I Am Living Math) cd was so dope I wanted to rhyme before I was MCing. I was doing Spoken Word so it was easy for me to transition (Spoken Word is my first True Love though). You have other MC’s like Lah Tere, Intikana, Immortal Technique, Precise Science, Sa-Rock, Divine RBG, Isis Tha Savior, Swan, Collective Flow, Miranda Writes, Selema, LCthaPoet, Sargonities, Amanda Diva, Chris Rivers, Joey Bada$$, On the surface Hakim Green. I love the Lox Styles P is my favorite. Mc Lyte, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, all of the entire Pioneers and Trail Blazers who paved the way for me to do what I do I’m inspired by them. 

MMML: How do you feel about being a young female with a clean positive image and music, in contrast to, the current male dominated state of Hip Hop? 

Nene Ali: Honestly, I never thought about it. The positive image came directly from me having Knowledge of Self and me wanting to inspire higher. There is a sub culture within the culture and that sub culture is male dominated too. However, the sub culture dominate male encourages you to keep your clothes on and if you are going to come, you better come correctly. In essence, they become big brothers and protect you like father figures. 

 MMML: Who does your production?

 Nene Ali: Thank you for asking that question big shout out to my producer Jesse (3rd Eye) West, he is so dope, real talk- one of the best producers out there! For my Mix CD I didn’t use none of his (Jesse West) work. I used various producers for that. I have an OFFICIAL album coming out late August or early September 2015 with Mr. Jesse!

MMML: If you can change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why?

Nene Ali: The industry itself. We created a global culture in which the entire wold benefited from, ate and drank from, but never gave forward to. A lot of mainstream rappers are so disrespectful to the pioneers. I’m tired of seeing and hearing how much money these rappers have. I have a problem with record executives that program our culture for their gain. I mean their is a connection between detrimental lyrics, the prison industrial complex, and record executive’s gain. These executives are knee deep in a culture in which they only came to understand by exploitation. They don’t look like us, they don’t eat with us but they sure no how to exploit us. The money destroyed the culture but I believe everything is connected for a reason. They say if you don’t study history it could repeat itself. Look at what the “industry” did to Jazz which was also a Culture. So I say to artist that are inspired by “Popular” culture,  inspire higher. Hip Hop is a multi-billion dollar industry even with all of the money Jay Z has it’s mere crumbs to what is really earned by executives. Another thing I would change is lyrical content. There is none, anymore. You will find where lyrical content is suppose to be -a catchy hook lies. Lastly, Hip Hop isn’t rap music. Record executives just knew it would be easy to capitalize off of rapping and beef. God forbid if you could unify people with your music. White Supremacy as a Global System starts to die. 

 MMML: It’s refreshing to interview someone with a lot of substance. You are defiantly a very wise young lady with your eyes wide open. Your Dad (Kevin) has done a great job with you.

MMML: What producer would you like to collaborate with in the future?

 Nene Ali: Not too many. Large Professor, Swiss Beats, Dr. Dre if you said MC’s I’d still be talking lol. 

MMML: What are some major misconceptions that you think people have of you?

Nene Ali: I don’t know if people have any. If they do, I haven’t heard any. I’m a 17 year old conscious MC who just finished her first year of college. I’m not a newbie to the stage or culture. In fact, I been doing this more than half of MY LIFE. My Music don’t come with a sing a long dance-  it comes with high lyrical content. I’m not in no ones lane, I carved out a lane of my own and guess what?? there is no traffic here! I hope to inspire artist to want to have our lanes merged because conscious music is all but gone. Not because it became obsolete, but because it’s SO powerful that record executives (who don’t look like us or come from us) need to kill this form of Hip Hop which has the ability to unify the masses and kill White Supremacy as a global system. I’m sorry I seem to have digress from your original question. I don’t know of any major misconceptions.  

 MMML: Any final words for the people?

Nene Ali: Get use to seeing me. I’ve been here for a while (11 years to be exact) and don’t plan on going no where no time soon. To all of my brothers and sisters who are inspiring to go mainstream, you define mainstream because Hip Hop as a culture belong to you, it came from you. With that said, start! You have the ability to redefine “popular culture” don’t look to join it- create a hostile take over because the agendas of a half a dozen racist billionaire record executives have, is written on your back. They set the rules for popular culture knowing if you are black or brown you are going to be it’s biggest consumer. Take back your power and your culture. Thank you MyMusicMylife.com for taking the time to interview me.

Hear more from Nene Ali via the links below

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nene-ali/id452902075

https://www.facebook.com/pages/NeNe-Ali-Poet/158818860094

https://www.facebook.com/NeNeAli