Published: Thursday - January 17, 2008
Words by Mina J
Hedonis da Amazon Photo: via Myspace
The line "I get paid with my name on the guest list/she gets paid with her back on a mattress" isn't the sequence of rhymes the normal person would expect from a female rapper. When the average head slips upon the needle in a haystack, there is a myriad of expectations usually predisposed toward female MCs. Expectations are placed on female rappers to be "raw" and "rugged," while retaining "feminine" qualities. Women also have to work five times as much as their male counterparts to even achieve a degree of respect. There haven't been many female artists whom have passed such standards, but those who have -- such as Bahamadia and Jean Grae -- received the proper reverence for the fruits of their labor. And most recently, while lacing her boots for the hip-hop trenches, we came across Hedonis da Amazon.
Her powerful name clearly stands out. "Hedonis is the opposite of Adonis," she explains. "Hedonis is a beautiful, yet dominant woman; and Amazon represents the warrior side of that."
As a matter of fact, Hedonis is ahead of her male comrades because her looks put her in the forefront. With a fit body and an extremely confident stance that isn't even seen in many supermodels, it's safe to say she uses her sexuality to gain attention. Once that attention is caught, she further hooks the listener in with not only her energy, but with her cleverness and quick-witted rhymes. She is raw and feminine. Putting out numerous mixtapes including Ladies Night Out, Training Day and Hood Pledge, as well as being featured on VH1's "Driven: Cutthroat," has this artist flossin' within the eyes of numerous hip-hop magazines, critics and of course, producers.
But she owes much of her success and personal growth to her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Philly influences everything about me -- my style, my swagger, my language," she explains. "My music is based on what I see around me -- the hood, the struggle, the joy."
Hedonis comes off firm in her principles and she quickly learned to use her sex as the advantage to her music, as opposed to a roadblock. "I grew to understand that being beautiful and talented in this industry is very attractive."
Although she flaunts her beauty, she mostly utilizes her brains. With a B.A. in business, Hedonis is making the right business moves. Her best one yet was signing with DJ Kay Slay's label, Streetsweepers Entertainment.
Hedonis is on a mission, and she has a strong vision. "My particular goal," she says, "is to attain power and respect while changing the way people perceive women in hip-hop."
So far, she has gotten our attention.
Scouting Report
Pushing through the misogynistic world of hip-hop isn't easy for female MCs, however, those pass the barriers gain deep respect and credibility. With such a knack for fresstyles, a passion for rap and endurance of a true MC, the only direction Hedonis can go is up. She is determined and ambitious. Most importantly, she has a vision.
Download Flash
I'm A Grind - Hedonis da Amazon ft. Jacki-O (press play to hear the track)
Raw and hardcore, Hedonis may not be everyone's cup of tea. With mainstream hip-hop turning a new leaf toward creation and elevation (as opposed to glamorized violence and a preoccupation with sex), her approach may be best left for her freestyles. She has the rhyming capabilities and she has the brains. Incorporating both of them can make Hedonis push the barriers not only for all female rappers, but also for the current negative, unimaginative and limited state encompassing hip-hop music. We have faith in the Amazon: keep on Hedonis.
Features Little Brother: Transition Period What's the haps with Little Brother since their last album Get Back? Phonte is prepping his podcast on Gordon Gartrell ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop EYEgasim: Bria Myles Bria Myles is unique. While the ever-so-curvy California native sports an incredible body, she claims her eyes draw ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
