Hip Hop Artist Rasheeda on NOH8: The Audiostraddle Interview

Pride season’s approaching its peak and we’re all making plans to check out our favorite artists and celebrity guest appearances. I’ve personally always felt uneasy about the number of acts booked for pride who aren’t necessarily even a part of the LGBT community; artists who aren’t truly in support of us the other 360 days of the year who see Pride as just another paycheck. I’ve even seem some artists making homophobic comments on social networking sites directly after leaving a Pride performance. That’s just not cool. It’s saddening, really.

Rasheeda isn’t like that. She supports our community and we’re not just a way to pay the bills. With hip-hop culture being as unreceptive as it is to homosexuality, Rasheeda’s genuine allegiance is refreshing. So, I got right down to business and asked her about her recent photo shoot for the NOH8 campaign as well as being an ally to the LGBT community.

Rasheeda NOH8

GLENNISHA: Not too long ago you did a photo shoot with the “NOH8″ campaign. What made you want to support that effort?

RASHEEDHA: I’m a free-hearted type of person. In my eyes the only person who can judge me is God. At the end of the day I feel as though if people have things that they want to do in their life and things that they feel as though is important to them and I feel as if i want to support it, I do that. I support the NOH8 campaign. For people who are out here wanting to do their thing, are feeling a certain way, love who they love, and want to be with who they want to be with I say, “Hey! Do you!” I’m not the person to judge. I support that and that was my reason for being down with the whole campaign.

GLENNISHA: You also recently performed during Philly Black Pride. Is it safe to say that you’re an ally to the LGBT community?

RASHEEDHA: I haven’t really looked at it like that. I love all of my fans from whatever. I get a lot of gay pride shows and events all of the time. To be honest with you the community is so wonderful. You receive love and they love you in a way that is real and genuine. I just totally think that is a great thing. I have a ball doing it and I love performing. I love to be able to go to the shows because a lot of times I get to watch their shows and I’m so entertained. I have seen people perform “My Bubble Gum” on a level that I haven’t even thought about doing. I’m totally in full support. That’s just what it is. From seeing the fans from one extreme to the next. I totally love it.

Rasheeda live

GLENNISHA: Do you have any other upcoming performances or appearances during pride?

RASHEEDHA: I’ll be at Houston Splash.

GLENNISHA: For people who aren’t familiar with you where can they check out your music?

RASHEEDHA: Please go to iTunes, just search for Rasheeda and it will pull up all of my albums. You can also follow me on Twitter – @RasheedaGAPeach – and also definitely go to my Youtube page, it has all of my videos on it.

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Glennisha

Glennisha has written 3 articles for us.

11 Comments

  1. Rasheeda’s sentiments match that of my favorite Salt N Pepa quote (that you can find on my Twitter or FB from time to time): “There’s only one true judge and that’s God, so chill and let my Father do His job.” If only more people actually understood that!

  2. When I saw Rasheeda, I was like not Bend Ova, Bubblegum Rasheeda!!?! And it is! Great interview!

    I made a fan video with her song that ppl love!

  3. Nice interview. Allies in the hip hop community are huge and unfortunately, rare. Bubblegum is going to be stuck in my head for dayyyyys, along with that sexy NOH8 photo.

  4. holy shit- “I’ve even seem some artists making homophobic comments on social networking sites directly after leaving a Pride performance. That’s just not cool. It’s saddening, really.”

    does that happen?! i want names! i need to vet my musicians a little more in light of this

  5. Bella- Thank You :)

    Elizabeth- I remember that song. Ha! I love S-n-P!

    MsNJS- lol Thanks.

    Heather-Thanks. Exactly. You will find very few allies in the Hip Hop community, unfortunately.

    Taylor- Yes it does happen. It takes a lot of nerve to even do to such. I’m considering creating a Black List… The two that I witnessed were Mya and Wale. Last year after performing at DC Pride she immediately tweeted ill comments. A few months ago Wale made ill remarks in regards to Ru Paul’s drag race. I was so surprised to see him booked at DC Pride this year… I just fond a few days ago that he backed out of the performance…As he should have. I don’t see why homophobic artists even accept these bookings knowing they don’t care for our community. Oh but, of course they just want the $.

  6. Loving her track “Say Something”, really raw and the beats are so clean. Great interview!

    Wasn’t Wale the guy that did that song “Chillin” w/Gaga?

    • Great interview! Rasheeda is soo awesome, I’m glad shes on our, the LGBT community, side and she supports us. Shes always been one of my favorite rappers.

      But Mya made homophobic remarks? I thought she was all for the LGBT community?? This is shocking.

      (Sorry for posting this twice)

  7. Great interview! Rasheeda is soo awesome, I’m glad shes on our, the LGBT community, side and she supports us. Shes always been one of my favorite rappers.

    But Mya made homophobic remarks? I thought she was all for the LGBT community?? This is shocking.

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