I have fallen in love with a reality TV show. Those of you who know me know I am not about reality-TV culture. Do not get me wrong, I have DVR’d a few of them to see what they were about and umm . . . they weren’t even worth the space on my DVR. Reality shows now are . . . how can I put this nicely, a hot mess. The conversations are full of gossip and bad-mouthing of others, and things of no relevance at all. Again, don’t get me wrong, there are some okay ones but in today’s society, we women should be uplifting, inspiring, and empowering one another rather than talking down or turning things into a competition. But that is a conversation for another day. After a long day of work and numerous chores we, the public, do not care about this one liking that one, or what bag she is carrying, when we need to pay rent next week. I mean, who are these producers’ target markets? It can’t be anyone with a brain who is trying to improve their self-worth and or better themselves through knowledge and education. Show me how to make the big dollars to afford the house, cars, and purses; don’t flaunt them in my face and talk nasty about girls as my viewing of your show is boosting ratings and putting more money into your luxury purse. Okay, #ventsession closed! I just want to see more #goal-driven shows and not hear catty girl talk anymore; yet another reason why books are my soul mate. We never argue!
Getting back to reality shows I actually enjoy watching, Sisterhood of Hip Hop. I have to give T. I., the executive producer, two thumbs-up. He did an amazing job putting this show together. In case you haven’t seen the show, it is about five women from different parts of the world who have the same goal: being a great female MC. Now, I was late to the party and only watched Season 2 so I need to binge-watch Season 1 on Netflix, but the girls have all found their way to California where the grind is still on but just with an added cushion.
Siya has signed with R&B singer and actor Tank’s record label, Soundbase Entertainment, and has the luxury of living in a dope turned-up suite at a high-rise, 1010 in Los Angeles, with the privilege of driving his Rolls Royce around to pick up friends like Nyemiah.
Nyemiah Supreme, a fellow New Yorker, was dating rapper Mack Wilds before leaving to follow her dream in California. During the show, after weeks of her being in LA and him not visiting, he decides the long-distance relationship isn’t working out after all, even though he said he would try. Just like a man! Nyemiah continues with her music career, not knowing that one of her cast mates, Diamond, an Atlanta native, has an issue with her over an Instagram video post. Nyemiah thought it would be a funny joke to mimic Diamond in a purple wig; Diamond didn’t see the humor in it.
I have to say I admire Diamond’s hustle. Through the entire show she showcases her passion to be not only an MC but also a brand. She is doing music video features, has her own cell-phone case line, and is in an all-girl band she put together. Kudos to you girl for being a #girlboss and not waiting for any man or label to determine your path!
Bia Landrau, a Spanish Aaliyah, gives young girls a positive role model to look up to. She is heavily involved with and supportive of her fourteen-year-old sister and best friend, ensuring she stays on the right path. Although she dresses sexy enough to leave the guys drooling, she leaves them with a little something for the imagination and plays no games when it comes to her music, proving you can have beauty and brains even when your mentor is Pharrell Williams.
Which brings me to Brianna Perry. Brianna, oh Brianna. I respect this girl like no other. Not only does she show you upfront how you can be signed to a major label and still have to hustle and grind on your own dime, but she also showcases the most important value of all—family support. In this day and age, at the end of the day without a support system, you can easily find yourself as nothing but another artist. But Brianna’s momanger, Ms. KiKi, believed in her daughter and took the journey to LA using her own bank account and dealt with some not-so-glamorous situations and made it work. Brianna’s record label refused to pay for anything until they had a hit record, leaving Brianna and Ms. KiKi to pay for studio time, videos, and the cost of living in LA all on their own.
In the end Brianna wound up winning with a hot record, “Ugly Girls,” and getting her record label to open its wallet. No more, tight budget girl! My opinion of Brianna is that she is the Beyoncé of hip-hop. Her demeanor resembles Beyoncé’s, she is beautiful by default, a camera’s dream, humble, shy but feisty, and determined to be something other than just a pretty face.
A positive aspect of the show was when the girls were brought together by hit maker Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. to do a tribute to Queen Latifah using her song “U.N.I.T.Y.” Bringing five women to work together is naturally a recipe for arguments, disagreements and attitudes, but after being embarrassed by the legendary MC Lyte over how important such a contribution like this was; they were paving the way to show the new generation of MCs that women rappers can work together. The girls pulled it together and had an amazing show.
All in all, I’ve fallen in love with this show for a few reasons: it shows the everyday grind you are faced with in life, no matter what you see on-screen or on social media; that even with the major hitters these girls have behind them they still have to make that dope single worth putting the cash behind. It shows that women can come together to unite, empower, and support one another, and it gives reality shows a new look for viewers. I truly hope the show is renewed for a third season, because these five ladies are fierce, strong, independent, and #vgmapproved.