Embracing your individuality doesn’t come easily to some.
In a world like ours it’s important to figure out who you are in order to live a happier life.
Our favorite artists are our favorite artists for a reason–because every single one of them wears their personality on their sleeve, and they don’t really care what you have to say about it.
We have idols like New York Queen Remy Ma keeping it real on Instagram live and the Kardashian sisters globalizing sociological studies, different powerful women doing different things.
There’s something a little more personal about your favorite up-and-coming artists, though. They open up in a way that’s much more authentic, raw, and available. They don’t have the 24/7 in-the-spotlight lifestyle that A-List celebrities have, so there’s more room to speak their minds.
With that said, here’s four of our favorite up-and-coming women on the mic.
Princess Nokia
Galore TV recently did a video feature on Princess Nokia, interviewed by West Coast rapper Ab-Soul. The stateside rapper had some pretty unconventional things to say, but she said them in the best way possible.
“I am always a champion of making what is ugly and what is unwanted something that is very beautiful.”
The star talks about her younger self, saying that she was always an odd ball, talking to herself and daydreaming as a child. This was off-putting, according to Nokia, but rather than feeling left out, she learned to embrace this part of herself.
Nokia said,
“As a woman who owns that… That takes a lot of balls. Not to be pretty, and forcibly be ugly first, then allow my beauty shine throughout my ugliness.”
Well, we think you are beautiful, Princess Nokia, and urge you to keep killin’ it.
Bibi Bourelly
In an interview with Noisey, Bibi Bourelly brings up a subject that’s important to her; “Realness,” a quality that she will inevitably hold onto throughout the rest of her musical career.
If you listen to Bourelly’s music at all, you’ll know how raw she can be when it comes to her lyrics, and how little she holds back.
“I just say how the fuck I feel. Turn on the microphone, give me the fucking guitar and I say it. And if it’s out there for women then that’s cool, if it’s not that’s still cool – it’s all straight. But I think it’s very important for us to be able to freely say what we feel, to be loose with our tongues.”
Bourelly has spoken openly about daily struggles and what she’s been through in the past.
And if you think she’s for one second apologetic for who she is, think again.
Tokyo Jetz
In Hip Hop Revival’s video, Jacksonville, Florida rapper Tokoyo Jetz, who got famous off recording herself rapping in her car, opened up about her come-up, and how simply being herself has been a huge part of her success.
She was discovered by T.I. after going viral a couple of times, and sent him a few recorded pieces. Her first freestyle video was soon signed to Hustle Gang Music.
Tokyo spoke about getting to where she is today,
“People are never satisfied, do what the fuck you wanna do. Make sure you’re happy at the end of the day regardless of the decisions you make, if you’re happy when you go to sleep at night, fuck what the world got to say about it; do what you wanna do.”
And anyone who’s been on her Instagram lately knows that she has no problem keeping her image light and fun.
SZA
SZA spoke to my soul the first time I heard “Warm Winds” and she continues to reign on.
Our girl recently went gold with her CTRL album and her single, “Love Galore,” and is working with rapper Travis Scott, as well as Kendrick Lamar on other projects.
When asked about her relationships in a Vulture interview regarding the emotionally charged album, SZA playfully concludes her feelings about her first breakup:
“My first relationship, fresh out of high school — I definitely thought that was my boyfriend for sure. It definitely turned out to not be my boyfriend.”
She’s been featured on ‘The Breakfast Club,’ and goes in depth about the different relationship experiences that have helped shape her music.
Keep doing what you’re doing best, beautiful!