Exclusive: Femcee Siya on her growth and the importance of Sisterhood of Hip Hop season 3

My greatest hope for Hip-Hop is that one day we won’t have to use the terms female rappers or femcees. To me, as an avid Hip-Hop fan, an emcee is an emcee is an emcee. Either your rep the four pillars (5 with the recent addition of overstanding) or you don’t, therein lies the difference for me personally. Until that hope is realized, it’s incumbent on us as a culture to make da**m sure we shine the light on our ladies who bring the noise in no uncertain terms. The cast of Sisterhood of Hip Hop is a collective of incredibly talented artists who are sharing their journey and growth as each seeks to deliver the best they possibly can. It’s also a series that highlights personal development as well. ~ JD Editor-in-Chief

The Hype Magazine brings our readers a series of exclusive weekly interviews with the cast members, updating you on returning artists from the two previous seasons as well as introducing the new cast members.

We kick off our season 3 interviews with the undeniable Siya (@SIYA) whose growth and development has met some challenges, but she’s also enjoyed impressive success! We checked in with the Cali representer for a quick update and her outlook on the importance of the series and its display of how five female artists can set the standard of unity and collaboration:

What has been the effect of the show on your personal growth and what does that development allow you to bring to your music?

I have learned a lot about myself over the last three years, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that I have new found fame. The people around you change, but I always stay true to who I am.

Entering season 3, of course, Sisterhood of Hip-Hop has made an impact, not just on your loyal audience, but the industry overall. What are your observations?

I agree that “Sisterhood of Hip Hop” shows the world and the industry that female MCs can be empowering together, we can be friends and most importantly, we can make money together. There is enough room in the industry for more than one MC.

What has the most exciting development been professionally for you?

I would say, acting in an upcoming project titled, “Deuces” with Larenz Tate, Meagan Good, Rotimi, and Lance Gross.

Your thoughts on the importance of Sisterhood of Hip-Hop to the culture?

This show reveals the importance of comradery and shows that five female MCs that get together can dominate together.

Check out the official season announcement below:

OXYGEN MEDIA TURNS UP FOR SEASON THREE OF HIT SERIES “SISTERHOOD OF HIP HOP” PREMIERING TUESDAY, JULY 12 AT 9 PM ET/PT

Celebrity Appearances Include MC Lyte, Irv Gotti, Tank, Trina, Morris Chestnut and more

Oxygen Media’s hit series “Sisterhood of Hip Hop” is back with a brand new beat for season three premiering tomorrow Tuesday, July 12 at 9pm ET/PT. Executive produced by Grammy-Award winning artist T.I., the powerful docu-series returns with veterans Siya, Brianna Perry and Diamond, who welcome new femcees on the block, Audra the Rapper and Lee Mazin. In order to deal with the ups and downs that come with the rap game, the ladies receive guidance from hip hop legends MC Lyte, Irv Gotti, Tank, Trina, YoYo, Jazze Pha and more, providing support, advice, and when necessary, tough love.

Catch sneak peek of the series on Oxygen.com!

Although some things may have changed, the hustle to succeed remains the same for these five fierce female artists. In this season, after being featured on Tank’s new smash hit, #BDAY, Siya is eager to put out a new record of her own, but legal and relationship issues threaten to jeopardize her career. Meanwhile, Brianna is in the hot seat when her fans and “mom-ager,” Kiki, demand new music, which creates some serious pressure for the emcee. While Diamond is struggling with her label and her man, she decides to take control by launching a new fashion line, hoping it will generate the money needed for more freedom in her personal and professional life. Philadelphia native and local rap sensation, Lee Mazin, is driven to make it onto the national stage but has to decide if it’s worth leaving her family and her home. And struggling for more independence, Audra the Rapper is facing a constant battle between her music and a management team with whom she does not see eye-to-eye.

As the emcees work to overcome these personal struggles and reach the top, the strength of the sisterhood is put to the ultimate test when MC Lyte offers the ladies an opportunity to compete against each other for a verse on her highly-anticipated new track.

Meet the new femcees:

Audra the Rapper

Audra the Rapper’s path to hip hop was an unlikely one. Born in Washington D.C., and raised in Richmond, Virginia to a single mother and grandmother, Audra was forbidden to listen to rap music because of its often-violent nature. Instead, her childhood home was filled with the sounds of jazz, soul, and R&B, leading her to take a more musical approach to rap. Studying the styles of Tupac, Missy Elliott, and Lauryn Hill, Audra began writing poetry that later became the narrative to her raps. After rap-battling classmates during lunch and football games, she started taking the game more seriously. At 16-years-old, she released her first offering “Sweet and Sour,” that was sold at local car washes and neighborhood malls. Since that introductory mixtape, Audra has released three other EPs, most recently, “Retrospectrum.” She is currently gearing up to release her fifth project, a conceptual body of work titled “Anti Love Songs,” at the end of summer 2016. Audra’s goal is to remain honest and outspoken in her music, as well as fearless in content, touching on topics that are seemingly taboo for female artists. Described as “Ratchet Soul,” Audra the Rapper’s sound is raw, unapologetic and often emotional.

Lee Mazin

Taliyah “Lee Mazin” Smith is a multi-faceted music artist and labeled one of the hottest female artists by many in the industry. She raps, sings, produces and writes for herself as well as other artists. Her gift of versatility has not only given her the ability to excel in hip hop, but also to succeed in various styles of writing, ranging from hip-hop, R&B and pop. She is set to release “No Love Lost ll” this summer. Mazin has graced the stages on multiple national tours and shows including Meek Mill’s Dreams Come True Tour, MC Lyte’s tour, Power 99’s Peace on the Streets, Powerhouse, SXSW and her self-funded tour, The Blow Tour. Additionally, Meek Mill labeled her DreamChasers’ First Lady in 2012. Now an independent artist, she has performed alongside an array of mainstream performers such as T.I, Young Jeezy, DMX, Mac Miller, Meek Mill, French Montana, K Michelle, MC Lyte and more. Mazin has always been passionate about giving back to the community through her annual “PhilLEE Weekend” in her hometown of Philadelphia. Her success in making good music, as well as being a role model to young girls, has put her on the path to prove to the world that females can step in the ring with the best of them.

“Sisterhood of Hip Hop” is produced by 51 Minds with Christian Sarabia, T.I., Abby Wilson and Angela Aguilera serving as Executive Producers.

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Tags: #HopHop, #MediaStop, #TheHypeMagazine, Emcee, Irv Gotti, MC Lyte, Morris Chestnut, Oxygen Network, Sisterhood of Hip Hop, T.I., Tank, Trina

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.