For rapper and emcee SERIOUS VOICE, Hip Hop is everything; it’s where she found healing and solace when she needed it most, where she makes sense of the ferocious world around her. Most importantly, it’s where she spreads the Word of God, inviting others to join her on a journey of faith, honesty, empowerment, and purity. Powerful female artists like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, and Nicki Minaj inspired young Brigitte “SERIOUS VOICE” James to “take over the rap game” from an early age. But things weren’t always easy. Growing up on tough streets—and in an often tougher home, in Brooklyn, she drew strength from her faith to begin a lifelong journey of healing that continues to shape her role as a motivator today. The longer she stays in the game, the more she cements her place among New York’s Hip Hop greats, rapping with conviction, grit, grace, and heart, proving time and time again that it’s possible to command both the Christian and mainstream Hip Hop scenes.
Her music has been featured on Spike Lee’s Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, her visuals have been showcased to thousands at SXSW, and her performances across New York City have earned her a devoted following. Yet her upcoming 7th studio project, Tessa’s Daughter, stands apart from everything she’s released before. Following her mother’s unexpected passing, she transformed her grief into one of her most transparent and personal works to date—a vibrant, loving homage to her mother’s life, creativity, and legacy.
One of the things that makes James’ bars so compelling is her candor; she doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that life on the saved side isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. It’s a rough and tumble world out there, and in this “mad cold world,” it’s easier than ever to lose sight of the peace, direction, and blessings the Lord bestows upon His children. Around every corner lies temptation: an excuse to wander astray, a reason to question God’s greater plan—and that’s exactly what the Stay Clean freestyle series pushes back against. Teaming up with her manager, producer, and husband, MrC Live, James shines a light on those very real “reset moments” Christians often face—day-to-day obstacles that call for recalibration, and opportunities to realign oneself with the faith within.
In “99 Problems,” the echoing refrain featuring her son JSWAGG cuts like the voice of an inner conscience, fighting to rise above the noise of modern life. With a heady dose of classic Hip Hop swagger, James lays her truth bare, voicing the often hidden frustrations of navigating a world determined to hold her down. Yet despite the struggle, she knows deep down that “scripts don’t lie.” So even when life is “not always peachy,” there’s no need to worry about the world’s woes; her trust in God is absolute. Stepping in as both a fierce leader and a trusted friend, she reminds listeners they don’t have to go at it alone. “Let’s work on it together,” says James.
“Keep moving forward, keep renewing your mind DAILY, keep progressing and confessing the WORD, and keep walking with HIM.” Salvation is certain, as long as the focus remains on one thing—“stay clean.”
As Leonardo DaVinci said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and James takes this to heart in the “99 Problems” music video. Working together with director Bronx Emcee, the visionary partner behind many of her visuals, she gives a literal interpretation of purity and cleanliness, spitting her bars from within the porcelain sanctuary of a gleaming white bathtub. It’s here she actively calls upon God to wash off the impurities of sin. Every detail, the white robe, the white towel, the glistening faucet, the silver jewelry, has been carefully chosen to evoke a sense of immaculateness. Yet hanging above it all is a mic, an unmistakable symbol of the duality of her artistry; she’s not just a Christian rapper, she’s a Hip Hop artist. This is her truth, her life, her story, and her victory in full glory. And even in the face of “99 Problems,” God’s love remains the unshakable truth that clears the path forward.
“99 Problems” hits like scripture over boom-bap — honest, raw, and fearless. When you wrote this joint, what space were you in mentally and spiritually to bring that balance of faith and fire?
When I wrote 99 Problems I was in a really good space, one of spiritual clarity, but I was also vibing to some of my favorite hip hop songs. I was simply doing what I normally do, with my phone in hand and writing what I felt at the moment, and you got the fire.
That bathtub visual is iconic. Pure white everything, mic hanging overhead. How did that concept come to life with Bronx Emcee, and what deeper message were you trying to send through that simplicity?
I had the idea for a while and had several conversations with folks about it. I then called Kareem. What you see is him bringing my ideas to fruition. I also want to give props to Integrity Girl, who amplified my styling ideas and brought them to an entirely new level. Everything you see was made possible by a collective, the SERIOUS PPL MUSIC TEAM AND MOOREBEATS teams.
You carry heavy duality in your music: street toughness meets spiritual surrender. How do you walk that line without ever compromising either side of who you are?
There are moments when I have to decline an invitation. After doing this for many years, you get to a point where you realize your presence is not needed everywhere. You learn to discern where you’re needed and can be used and where you’re likely to slip and fall. I am super selective about my collaborations; as a matter of fact, I rarely engage in collaborations. But, I have to say this, if I’m a part of one, it’s fireworks!
Having your son JSWAGG on the hook adds this layer of generational reflection, almost like the voice in your head. What did that moment mean to you as a mother and as an artist?
I’m super proud of my son. He’s come a long way. His talents are coming to the surface more and more. Having him as a featured artist on “99 Problems” adds so much fire and, at the same time, purity and truth for me.
You talk openly about reset moments, those times when faith gets tested. Can you break down one that changed your perspective or even shifted your sound?
Over a year ago, I had an accident. My left leg got trapped under a manhole. I thought I was going to literally die. I had so many complications and had so many sleepless nights. In fact, I’m still struggling from time to time. That situation helped me to realize that God is truly with me. When I looked at the inside of the manhole, all I could do was praise God. When you’ve faced death and escaped, you get an awakening and reset immediately. You value life and every day you’re alive.
Tessa’s Daughter sounds deeply personal. How did turning your mother’s passing into art help you process the pain and keep her legacy alive through your music?
I was literally in the studio two days after. There were days I just sat there and inwardly cried. I didn’t know how to deal with it. Hip hop saved me from being swallowed up in my tears, to be honest. The studio was my therapist, and she allowed me to express myself thoroughly, without inhibition, without wondering what others would say. My community and label mates at Serious PPL Music & MooreBeats also ensured I didn’t get swallowed up with grief. They called weekly and kept me going.
You’re Brooklyn through and through: sharp, grounded, unapologetic. How has that city’s energy shaped the way you see purpose and perseverance in your career?
All I can say is, I was raised in BK and I’m unapologetically Brooklyn. Being a product of Brooklyn has given me the confidence, grit, and tenacity to persevere in music. I refuse to stop until I have taken my last breath.
The “Stay Clean” series feels like a spiritual check-in for real life. What sparked that idea, and how do you keep your own walk steady while being that voice for others?
The spark came from life. I was at a spiritually low point, and I thought about it; I just knew I needed to tap back in with God. I needed him more than I wanted other things.
You’ve had placements on Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It, rocked SXSW, and built a loyal NYC base. What’s the next mountain for you, musically, spiritually, or personally?
The next BIG move is what God says. I’m really not certain. I tend to live life based on how I’m being spiritually guided rather than how the wind blows. One thing I know for sure is that when Tessa’s Daughter EP drops, it’ll be a fire experience, a revelation, and hip hop vibes will be amplified.
For anyone out there juggling their own “99 problems,” what’s one truth or daily practice that keeps you locked in and lifted when life tries to pull you off track?
I encourage everyone, no matter what spiritual level they’re on, to continue to speak to God. Daily talks will work. When you wake up, tell him good morning. Ask him to guide you, keep you grounded, and connected to him. Ask him to reveal himself to you.
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