This week I focused on Hip Hop Ethiopian artist Lola Monroe. Fershgenet Melaku aka Lola Monroe (born on October 25, 1986) is a female rapper of Ethiopian descent who was born in Addis Ababa and raised in Washington D.C. She began writing poems and songs at the age of 12. Fershgenet Melaku aka Lola Monroe (born on October 25, 1986) is a female rapper of Ethiopian descent who was once featured in many urban magazines but she is the first lady of Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang movement. Aside from being apart of Wiz’s movement, she also has her Bosset Mafia movement that she’s been leading for years. She’s been nominated for a BET Award along with releasing 5 mixtapes throughout her rap career. She has opened for Wiz Khalifa on the 2012 “2050 Tour” and she is also featured on his album “O.N.I.F.C.”
The video I decided to to focus on this week was her “Stay Schemings Freestyle”. After my initial time watching the video I thought the flow and execution of her freestyle was very well done. She understands how to ride the beat nicely and is a perfect example of a female hip hop artist who has a braggadocio style. In this video especially she has a very aggressive, dexterous flow over a club-heavy beat. My favorite line was “I’m from a city where respect don’t come from currency, and I don’t wanna hear what you gon do what you done currently?” Prior to this video Ive Never heard of her, but I think if she had the right team behind her she could do serious damage in the female hip hop industry.
Aesthetically wise, I feel like the music video could’ve been much more creative in how it was produced and edited. Its just her on a porch and sidewalk with red led lights, and it doesn’t do much to add to the vibe of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA_OXpGHxn4
It her other music video for her remix to Pusha T’s single exosus 23:1, she again uses her braggadocio style, and if you close your eyes and just listen it sounds exactly like Nicki Minaj. The video itself was again, not the best, but this woman hs so much potential and I did some research as to why she’s not bigger and it turns out she had a lot of issues being signed to Wiz Khalifas label. In September 4, 2013 she released her debut single “B.B. (Boss Bitch)” featuring Chevy Woods and Juicy J, produced by Sledgren and supposed to be on her debut album. Then on September 19, she along with producer Cardo left Taylor Gang and dismissed their affiliation with the label. LoLa Monroe later confirmed that she had never signed to the label in the first place.
Like I said before, Lola has the look, flow, quality raps, and execution to have been a big star, she just needs a quality label backing her. She’s still very young, so she still has time to reenter the rap game and do some damage.
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