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After a brief hiatus from the music industry, Khia is back and in full control of her own destiny. The Situation caught up with the ‘Thug Misses’ to talk about her new album, her image and her ‘King’.
It’s
a feat for any artist to make a comeback in the music industry, but even
more so for a female rapper. Yet, this is exactly what Khia
aims to do with her new album ‘Gangstress’ out this summer
on her own Thug Misses label.
Currently keeping busy with album promotion, she will soon be starting a 40-city tour, which will in turn be followed by promotion for her new book entitled ‘Gangsta Love’, a book about the love and relationships which she raps about in her songs.
The debut single from the new album is ‘Snatch Da Kat Back’, another ladies’ anthem about leaving an unsuitable relationship and listening to your own advice. Whilst the new album promises more party tracks, there will be less of the sexually related lyrics, as heard on her previous debut release, ‘Thug Misses’.
Khia is a female who demands to be taken seriously and respected as a solo artist no matter the obstacles that have to be overcome. Since the 2002 release of ‘Thug Misses’, the Florida native has grown vocally and lyrically, and has even had a hand in production, which she is keen to do more of in the future.
The Situation caught up with the rapstress to find out about her new album, her image and her future.
Tell
me about the new single…
We’ve shot the video, it’s gonna look really cool. It’s
for the new single ‘Snatch Da Kat Back’. I probably won’t
get to the UK until at least Christmas time or the New Year to promote
it though, I don’t think. It’s basically about if you don’t
like how a guy is or if you catch him with another girl you gotta “snatch
da kat back”. If you don’t like the sex or the relationship
you gotta just “snatch it back!”
Do
you feel that your career is looking up after all your ups and downs in
the music business?
I’ve had to go through a few things, but overall it’s been
fine because I’ve still been touring and performing regardless.
I know the fans are ready for this album so I’m really excited now.
I want to give them what they’ve been waiting for. I’ve been
blessed to have travelled all over the world so I’ve been very busy.
Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
Well I wrote and produced this whole album. I’m really trying to
do a lot of writing and producing for other artists too. This is my first
time producing so I’m excited to showcase my production side. So
far, I’ve just been writing for myself but I really want to do R&B,
pop, hip hop… everything really.
What do you think of female rappers that are into selling their
image and not their music?
I don’t like it at all and I feel like there’s a lot of that
going on and that’s why female artists don’t get enough respect.
I’m not trying to sell my image and a lot of people respect me and
my boldness. I feel like I’m the only real one that exists.
There’s
always been a rift between female rappers in the South – what are
your thoughts on fellow rappers Trina and
Jacki-O?
I don’t really respect them as artists or feel that they have talent.
They deal with a lot of ghostwriters and men who write for them, so it’s
really just ear pleasing for the men or representing respect for women.
Even though I’m saying “lick my neck, my back”, I’m
still saying I don’t care what you have; you can do this or do that.
I feel that they are catering to men and what they like whilst not staying
true to themselves.
What else don’t you like about the music industry?
Here in America there’s a lot of money being exchanged between record
companies and radio stations. Sometimes you don’t get a chance to
listen to the real artists who don’t have a big budget, people like
me who may not be able to pay thousands of dollars as an independent artist.
You kind of have to take a back seat with the promotion because the major
labels have the power to get stuff done and played to promote their artists.
They have the money for the videos but the artists have no talent half
of the time. I feel like the industry is taking advantage. We’re
missing a lot of music now because everything’s so programmed. I
hate it!
What was the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome to reach
the point you’re at now?
Being independent without having the millions to make videos. I’m
really proud of myself of this accomplishment because I didn’t need
a major label; I did it myself. Still having a huge fan base without all
of the promotion, make-up, stylists, magazine covers and all of that exposure,
I have a solid fan base so it’s big up to the fans!
How
do you feel when your kids hear your songs, especially ones like ‘My
Neck, My Back’ and ‘F*cking Me Tonight’? Do the younger
ones ever ask about what you mean in the songs?!
They know their mama is a thug mama, I don’t have to hide anything
from my kids. I’m sure they listen to it when I’m not around
and they know what the cuss words are. Kids are gonna be kids. They know
‘My Neck, My Back’ and what’s for grown ups and what’s
for them. They won’t cuss around me, they know when I cuss at them
they’re in big trouble!
You’ve
never tried to hide your past, and have even used mug shots for album
artwork – how do you think your background has helped you in the
music industry? Has it taught you not to be taken advantage of?
I try to use that to let them know that I’m not trying to sell sex
or to paint a pretty picture. I’m not into the heavy make-up or
walking around butt naked. Women do the same things that guys do but you
can still achieve your goals and go after your dreams. Just because I’ve
been to jail and done some things in my past, it hasn’t crippled
me. It’s not always good girls that make it to the top, you can
have been a bad girl and still make it. I’m trying to represent
for the underdogs, I’m not a girlie girl although I’m still
a mummy and still successful.
You’ve said you’d like to become the ‘Queen
of the South’, taking the seat next to T.I. as the self-proclaimed
‘King’ – if you could choose, who would you pick to
be your king?
I’d pick Lil’Wayne,
I just feel that he’s accomplished more and he hasn’t got
the recognition he deserves for his success. I think that T.I. is overrated
even though I believe he’s talented and bringing a lot to hip hop.
I wrote my whole album to Lil’ Wayne! I love Cash Money and No Limit
and the rappers from New Orleans. I also love Cee-Lo,
he’s the Godfather of the South, ya understand me!
Khia’s new album, ‘Gangstress’ is out on July 11, 2006, on Thug Misses Entertainment/Warlock Records. For more info on Khia, visit her official website: www.khiagangstress.com.
