From: Here.
On: April 27, 2011

Hopie Spitshard Interview with WAFH

We recently got to chat with up and coming Bay Area emcee, Hopie Spitshard. She gives us insight on how long she’s been in the game, who she’s listening to right now and what’s coming up next for the young wordsmith.

WAFH: Which emcees have inspired or influenced you the most as an artist?

HOPIE: Of course I was heavily influenced by Lauryn Hill. She was just such a powerful female figure, and we were really lucky to have her. I also am completely enamored of Erykah Badu and her effervescent creativity. Then, of course, there is Jean Grae, MC Lyte, and Bahamadia. Missy Elliot was gigantic, too.

More after the jump.

WAFH: What is the Hip Hop scene like in your hometown of San Francisco?

HOPIE: The hip hop scene in SF is very promising. We have such a rich history of extremely creative hip hop that runs the gamut from underground hip hop like Heiro and The Living Legends to E40 and Lil B that the newer generation is deeply rooted in creativity. We have The Jealous Guys, Honor Roll, Davinci, Kreayshawn, me, etc., and we couldn’t be more resolutely different. I’m very excited about it.

WAFH: What were some of your favorite rap songs growing up?

HOPIE: I had so many favorite hip hop songs growing up, I can’t even begin to list them, but I will try. The songs that definitely got a lot of airplay were: Lil Kim – Drugs, Notorious BIG – Dead Wrong, You Never Knew – Heiro, In the Sea – Pharcyde, Hip Hop – Dead Prez, Famous Last Words – Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1, You’re Not the One – The Grouch, Triumph – Wu Tang, Lost One – Lauryn Hill, Brain Damage – Eminem, Definition –
Blackstar, etc., etc., etc. There’s more; don’t make me list them!

WAFH: Seeing the success of an artist like Nikki Minaj, do you see yourself as competition for her?

HOPIE: Nikki Minaj is Nikki Minaj; Hopie is Hopie, and I don’t see why our careers would cross paths except in compliance with the (mis)concept(ion) that there’s only room for one woman in hip hop, or one woman per archetype, and she and I both fall into the “animated” category. So, to be honest, I don’t see myself as competition for her
except in the headphones of people who prefer underground hip hop instead of pop.

WAFH: How do you feel about the word “femcee”?

HOPIE: You know, I know a lot of women MCs who hate this word, and I see why: It puts us in a separate catageory than the “MC”, and we all know that separate is inherently unequal. Still, I don’t really mind the word too much. I think it’s nice to differentiate sometimes, as in using his verses her majesty; there’s some recognition there that we are women, and that it’s a deviation from the norm. I think I’m good with it as long as I’m called both interchangebly, and it’s not meant to be condescending or limiting to me.

WAFH: You definitely have what it takes to be an artist that can make noise in the mainstream market, if you do, what kind of impact do you think Hopie Spitshard will have on the game? On your community?

HOPIE: Well, thank you. That’s a really nice thing to say. I hope that, if I were to have that platform, I could show that hip hop can be creative and fun, project positive female imagery, while still being accessible to larger audience. Also, as a 1st generation Pinay growing up in the US, I never saw anyone in magazines or TV that resembled me as a kid. I felt like the “American Dream” wasn’t inclusive for someone like me. The landscape is slowly changing, and I’d like to be a part of that change.

WAFH: You graduated from law school, what did you major in and did it take a lot of time away from your music career?

HOPIE: I have degrees in political science and public interest law. It took me 8 years to complete both… Still, I was recording music and performing, though at a very slow pace. You could say it took a lot of time away from music.

WAFH: What comes first today? Music or law?

HOPIE: Today, music is calling, and I’m answering.

WAFH: What’s in your iTunes playlist right now and who do you wish to collab with in the near future?

HOPIE: Exactly right now as I’m answering these questions, I’m slapping Rob Roy. I have a lot of other stuff in there, but I’m big on Led Zeppelin, Little Brother, Outkast and The Gorillaz right now. If you’re looking for something more current, I’ve been reallyenjoying Kendrick Lamar and Odd Future.

WAFH: What’s coming up next for you?

HOPIE: I’m re-releasing my EP, DULCE VITA, on April 26 with new music and a video. Then, it’s on to Raw Gems, my 2nd full-length, which comes out this summer.

WAFH: What’s the easiest way to keep ourselves updated with Hopie Spitshard media?

HOPIE: The best ways to keep up with me are via www.HOPIESPITSHARD.com and on Twitter and Facebook.

WAFH: Thank you so much, any last words for the fans?

HOPIE: Before I go, I want to send a shout out to my loyal Hopie supporters. I’m really so grateful they stuck by me through law school… I know that now’s the time I gave them what they want.