Bold as a lioness in a male-ruled jungle
She was labelled “the baddest female rapper in Namibia” by the late Catty Cat and that has been confirmed by her selection to open for Cassper Nyovest during his world tour come 30 July.
She has also made many feature songs with major hip-hop names like KK, Hansolo, KP Illest and Script, to mention just a few, and her unique sound just adds the right amount of flavour to any song she’s on.
Lioness shares with tjil her journey through her music career and the fact that she is the only female artist chosen to share the stage with the international South African star.
Asked who Lioness is, she described herself as LaToya’s alter ego. “She is fierce, dominant, flamboyant and proud. I chose the name Lioness because in my younger days I had big hair and an attitude, it just grew on me. That how I got my stage name,” she said.
Lioness has been in the industry for seven years as an underground rapper and she came out in the mainstream two years ago.
“I chose to be a rapper because I was always in love with old-school RNB and I actually fell in love with hip-hop. Missy Eliot and Salt-n-Pepa, Lil Kim, Tweety, Left Eye, the list goes on. I didn’t choose hip-hop, it sort of grew on me,” she says.
Lioness believes she has a unique style and that’s what differentiates her from other artists. “I feel like I didn’t even recognise my potential yet. I am still learning and growing and sculpting my craft. Don’t think that statement will ever sink in. Anyone can vouch for me and say that Lioness is ‘different’.
“I try to experiment and I always experiment with different sounds and I’m driven by passion, not merely fame or exposure.”
The rapper has many singles, including her tracks Phantom and Nomad that have everyone on the streets feeling like Nicki Minaj. Her first song was with Mark from Black Vulcanite and JK. After that she never looked back.
“I went on a female cypher with various female artists, I have worked with 061 music back in the day, KK, KP Illest, Skrypt, Mr Diamonds just to mention a few. I have also worked with a few artists from South Africa namely Riz Ventura and Martam,” she says.
Lioness has released an EP – an extended play recording that contains more music than a single but is too short to qualify as a full studio album - titled ‘I’ll 3’ and she’s almost done with her second one, to be titled ‘I’ll 4: The Sequel’.
“My favourite song must be Nomads, which I recorded with Static Play. It was a personal song and had the most reception you know, my very first single out on radio too,” she recalls.
Besides music, Lioness is a medical student and she says they are not the best of combinations but with planning she manages to pull it off. She describes music as “a sort of release, so it’s therapeutic in the end”.
Lioness says opening for the international star is one of the most awesome things that have happened to her.
“This is one of my career milestones. It started off as a disagreement with someone who is now a friend and I sent him some of my music and he was impressed. So I got word that I’m on the list and I was absolutely ecstatic. It means I can finally showcase my music to people who still aren’t aware of me; this is my chance to create impressions.”
She wouldn’t say what song she will perform – “everyone must come and find out, as it is still a surprise”.
The singer is currently finishing up her EP and recording videos but advises her fans to keep an eye on her social media handles for updates on what’s happening.
Lioness encourages people to step out of their comfort zones, never to surrender themselves to be other people’s prisoners. “First and foremost, never feel your body is a tool you use to get to the top. Have dignity and respect yourself as an artist, as a woman. The rewards will follow in due time.”
She concludes by giving a shout-out to her fans for the support and love they have shown her throughout her music career. “I needed all of that and thank you from the bottom of my heart. A shout-out to all the emcees out there: let’s keep pushing our brands and our music. Persistence is the key.”
JUNE SHIMUOSHILI
She has also made many feature songs with major hip-hop names like KK, Hansolo, KP Illest and Script, to mention just a few, and her unique sound just adds the right amount of flavour to any song she’s on.
Lioness shares with tjil her journey through her music career and the fact that she is the only female artist chosen to share the stage with the international South African star.
Asked who Lioness is, she described herself as LaToya’s alter ego. “She is fierce, dominant, flamboyant and proud. I chose the name Lioness because in my younger days I had big hair and an attitude, it just grew on me. That how I got my stage name,” she said.
Lioness has been in the industry for seven years as an underground rapper and she came out in the mainstream two years ago.
“I chose to be a rapper because I was always in love with old-school RNB and I actually fell in love with hip-hop. Missy Eliot and Salt-n-Pepa, Lil Kim, Tweety, Left Eye, the list goes on. I didn’t choose hip-hop, it sort of grew on me,” she says.
Lioness believes she has a unique style and that’s what differentiates her from other artists. “I feel like I didn’t even recognise my potential yet. I am still learning and growing and sculpting my craft. Don’t think that statement will ever sink in. Anyone can vouch for me and say that Lioness is ‘different’.
“I try to experiment and I always experiment with different sounds and I’m driven by passion, not merely fame or exposure.”
The rapper has many singles, including her tracks Phantom and Nomad that have everyone on the streets feeling like Nicki Minaj. Her first song was with Mark from Black Vulcanite and JK. After that she never looked back.
“I went on a female cypher with various female artists, I have worked with 061 music back in the day, KK, KP Illest, Skrypt, Mr Diamonds just to mention a few. I have also worked with a few artists from South Africa namely Riz Ventura and Martam,” she says.
Lioness has released an EP – an extended play recording that contains more music than a single but is too short to qualify as a full studio album - titled ‘I’ll 3’ and she’s almost done with her second one, to be titled ‘I’ll 4: The Sequel’.
“My favourite song must be Nomads, which I recorded with Static Play. It was a personal song and had the most reception you know, my very first single out on radio too,” she recalls.
Besides music, Lioness is a medical student and she says they are not the best of combinations but with planning she manages to pull it off. She describes music as “a sort of release, so it’s therapeutic in the end”.
Lioness says opening for the international star is one of the most awesome things that have happened to her.
“This is one of my career milestones. It started off as a disagreement with someone who is now a friend and I sent him some of my music and he was impressed. So I got word that I’m on the list and I was absolutely ecstatic. It means I can finally showcase my music to people who still aren’t aware of me; this is my chance to create impressions.”
She wouldn’t say what song she will perform – “everyone must come and find out, as it is still a surprise”.
The singer is currently finishing up her EP and recording videos but advises her fans to keep an eye on her social media handles for updates on what’s happening.
Lioness encourages people to step out of their comfort zones, never to surrender themselves to be other people’s prisoners. “First and foremost, never feel your body is a tool you use to get to the top. Have dignity and respect yourself as an artist, as a woman. The rewards will follow in due time.”
She concludes by giving a shout-out to her fans for the support and love they have shown her throughout her music career. “I needed all of that and thank you from the bottom of my heart. A shout-out to all the emcees out there: let’s keep pushing our brands and our music. Persistence is the key.”
JUNE SHIMUOSHILI
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