The music industry let alone the hip-hop scene is a highly competitive place, since the rise of the genre in the 1970s women have had to work twice as hard to make a dynasty. We have seen Nikki Minaj, Meg The Stallion, Eve, Missy Elliot and more make contributions to the industry and produce amazing products. However, the media does not do enough to highlight females in the hip-hop industry. Allow us to re-introduce to you to Roberta Lampley aka Venomiss.
We were introduced to Venomiss back in 2018 after the release of her project No Favors , No Regrets, No Apologies where we learned how deadly her pen really was. What we didn’t know was there was another side to the International performer. In the height of the pandemic, Lampley didn’t lay in wait for the world to open up to make a difference she started right away with a dream and a pallette. B.A.L Cosmetics was born within the first half of the pandemic with one goal in mind to amplify their mission “Women do not come in just 3 colors, shapes and sizes.” The brand was created for the modern women to empower them to turn off the responsibilities and turn on the fire inside them to work on their confidence and their love for themselves.
With over 10,000 hits on their website and two years Lampley and B.A.L Cosmetics have become a household name creating an army of #BoldBabes . Bold Babes are the women who have been positively impacted by the brand and its mission. Women everywhere have been using the phrase #boldbabes in order to show off their glow and the positive feelings the brand has given to them. Some notable #Boldbabes include Dr. Casay Vaughn of Franchise TV and Radio , Jasmine Sanders, and more.
But is it just the products that make the bold babe, or is it the motto?
The magic behind this is the thought and dedication that Lampley has put into each product. With the motto there are more than three shapes and sizes the same with color. She has taken the time with her customers and developed lashes, foundation, palettes and lipsticks that compliment women of every color and size. Speaking from experience, we never seen a CEO that will take the time to help figure out what foundation will be right for the client, or even dedicate time and products to collaborate with other businesses. The magic of the brand is all Lampley, she has put the needs of her clients before her own. Even in her darkest she still continues to help empower other women. Not only that she continues to innovate the brand not only by making products that are safe for us to wear, but respect the values and restrictions and of course any allergies. The lip products are halal certified and vegan friendly. For those who do not know what that is A Halal certified product means that the product is permissible or acceptable in accordance with Islamic law. The lip products also contain vitamin E for lip conditioning and softening and their skin and body products contain natural ingredients giving the consumer the ultimate experience.
With B.A.L Cosmetics Co. is reaching their two year Brandiversary it only is appropriate for us to give Roberta Aka Venomiss the roses she deserves. The industry needs more women like her to continue empowering women to love themselves instead of tearing it down.
Our thoughts can multiply into a spiral. Tapping into his bashful nature, Zen Dash looks to build new momentum with a darker track entitled Negative Affirmations. Label himself as the Blaxploitation Bronson, the latest track comes from the combined efforts of Nicho Santos on production and vocals from Lilith. Rapping about the economic gloom and the pursuit of vices, in unorthodox rhythmic fashion Zen describes why he is a force to be reckoned with. Keep up with Zen by following him on X, Instagram, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud. Checkout some of his merch here and let us know your thoughts on the official audio below.
Rubi Rose is wrapping up as an opener for Sexyy Red on her cross-country Hood Hottest Princess Tour this week in San Francisco. Rose raps over hard-hitting production by Lawson, Bl$$d, $aint Vincent, and ethanscott in the brand new single Cherry. Rose is letting fans know there’s nothing sweet going on establishing her dominance over her peers and flexing her success in the rap game. Be ready for a fiery fire record form the Kentucky Native and stream the official audio below. Get your copy of the single here.
Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer, Dee-1 (@Dee1music) addresses critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single “Lines Drawn,” following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypycrosy. Filmed by Tufts University‘s own Jalen Hill, a student enrolled in the New Orleans native’s “The Intersection of Hip Hop and Social Change” course, the timely track and its accompanying visual postdate Dee’s previously released album UNO. Serving as the first official leak from his forthcoming LP From The Hood To Harvard, the song is a beacon of light as unfavorable headlines engulf online media.
“I did this song as a response to the industry being so shaken by me drawing a line in the sand and saying that we need some accountability for the messages we’re glorifying inside Hip-Hop. This is part one, there’s more on the way. A shift is happening from a genre and cultural perspective,” says the National Social Emotional Learning Consultant in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about the release.
Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana‘s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.
Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.
Watch the HD clip for “Lines Drawn” on YouTube and stream the single via Audiomack below. For a limited time you can purchase an advanced copy of From The Hood To Harvard exclusively on EVEN, here.