The world of hip-hop is a male-dominated jungle where the fiercest competitors survive by the ferocity of their lyrical acumen. Meaning that they eat off their words. Many female artists find themselves playing a game of career cat-and-mouse, being forced to fit into one of several stereotypes. MC Rachel James of Jackson is determined to not only survive in this jungle but to reign through her lyrical ability.
James’ search for success on hip-hop boulevard is not an uncommon tale for aspiring MCs. What sets James apart is not where she has come from, but the question of where her talent can take her. With the introduction of Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown, female MCs have been notably marketed through the use of overt sexual overtures. Before them, female MCs often had to act overtly aggressive to carve a place for themselves in a male-dominated game. This duality created a set of stereotypes that engendered a caricature of what lyricism could be for a female.
Possessing an alarming beauty and incomparable lyrical skill, James has the rare combination that makes her as alarming musically as she is physically. “I just want to market myself. I don’t want to play on the whole sexy thing. They gone see that I just need to be me,” James says.
Growing up in Grand Rapids, Mich., James initially devoted her energies to writing and poetry. However, she soon fine-tuned her uncanny ability for one-liners during contests of verbal dexterity with her older male relatives. What began as friendly discourse between relatives soon turned into a passion.
After attending Western Illinois University for a short time, James decided to move to Jackson and attend Jackson State University because of familial ties. “My mother was originally from West Point, Miss. So she was pushing for me to come to down here,” James says.
James soon met DJ Phinga Print strolling around the Jackson State campus. “I was looking for some beats, and my girlfriend introduced me to Phinga Print, J-Clip and E-Dub, the Third Eye Entertainment posse. Phinga Print was like my brother, taking me everywhere,” James says.
She soon entered a talent competition on campus where she met Marcus, another aspiring MC. This introduction would lead to an affiliation with Our Glass Entertainment. However, problems over how to market James, a female MC, temporarily put plans for her album on hiatus. “They really didn’t know what to do with me or how to market me—but they didn’t ask me, either,” James says.
After the label disbanded, James went through a period of transition trying to decide what she wanted to do with her talent. In the mean time, she earned a degree from Jackson State in English and enrolled in graduate school at the university. She also worked two jobs to support herself and her love of music. “I used one job to pay my bills and the other job to pay for my studio time and tracks,” James says.
James tried a stint with Trickalicious Records, but it didn’t work out. Then she decided to start her own label, Fallen Angel Entertainment. With this attempt, James hopes to not only control how she will be marketed but also how her career will be shaped. This time, she says, she’s not waiting to be asked.
