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While most of the folks in our community are familiar with hip-hop as a form of entertainment, many of us are not aware that the strongest opportunities actually lie on the business side. We also know that on both sides of the mic, women are usually missing. Sure, there are great female artists like Nicki Minaj and spoken-word artist Madam Prezident. Those who establish the platforms, obtain financing and run the business operations that lie behind your favorite artist have access to both the power and financial benefits that come with the hip-hop music industry. So, hanging out in the booth may not be as valuable as going to business school when it comes to having real power in hip-hop. It is for that reason that Shylise "Shay Nutt" Simpson is today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:
What is your name and what do you do?Shylise "Shay-Nutt" Simpson, owner and operator of Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com, The Female Hip Hop Honors Awards and founder of the Power In Pink Mentoring Program.
What is your site all about?
Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com is about the empowerment and the support of females in hip-hop. The site offers a platform to expose and promote females in entertainment that would normally go unnoticed.
Tell us about your business model and the goals of your company?
Under Ground Girls of Hip-Hop is committed to the women of hip-hop who are contributing with their hearts minds, souls and bodies to the craft. We feature exclusive music, videos, new releases, articles and opinions of all on the underground scene.
Our goal here at UGG is to give every female an opportunity to show her talent with out the stigma of "SEX" hanging over her head. To just have a fair shot to allow the people to say what they want to hear.
Do you think that enough African Americans pursue the business side of entertainment or do we over emphasize the performer side?
In hip-hop I believe that we definitely pursue the business side hence Def Jam Records and BET -- founded by two African American men. However, I believe that we as African America women need to take on the business of entertainment in order to see more of us on the performer side along with the business. We need to understand that we need each other to build a business that is morally sound. Meaning that we can use our smarts and not our assets to be successful in the business.
Some might say that snearly every rapper focuses on materialism. In a world where black people are among the poorest in our country, is it good for us to encourage black people to measure their success by their ownership of material possessions?I would say that some rappers have focused on the material aspect of life however I do not necessarily feel that their success is measured by these things. Their success to me is how much they do for the community when the cameras turn off.
Rappers are like athletes where there are endorsement deals made everyday, so a lot of these material things being mentioned are being paid for by the companies. So the success of any one man or woman for that matter is measured by their philanthropic works in the communities in which they grew up and beyond.
Why are there not enough women in hip hop?
There is a great deal of women in hip-hop; these women just do not receive the necessary exposure to gain notoriety. I put on the Female Hip-Hop Honors to show that there are females in hip-hop.
But unless a woman wants to expose her breast her words go unnoticed. This is why you have Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com and the mix tapes and shows we produce just to show you the female voice in hip-hop is louder and stronger than ever.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?
Yes I would like to thank AOL Black Voices and our other supporters, and ask them to continue to support females in this business. Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com is dedicated to ensuring that the voice of females in the industry is heard. We also believe in maintaining unity amongst females in the genre. That's why The Power in Pink Program, run by undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com, is very important for teaching girls at a young age how to support each other and be successful.
Make sure you log-on and support Undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com and come out to the 2nd Annual Female Hip-Hop Honors in Los Angeles on May 21st, 2011.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here. 
Comments: (2)
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By: Cheryl by Cheryl on 2/01/2011 5:30PM
Cheryl "Salt" James was definitely a rap pioneer. Salt-N-Pepa was the first female rap act to have gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums and to win a Grammy. Also, Cheryl wrote the lyrics and produced many of the group's songs.
http://cherylbycheryl.blogspot.com/2011/01/cheryl-james-whatta-woman.html
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By: Frederick on 2/04/2011 1:02PM
Great article and a timely one. Dr. Watkins, thanks for honoring Shylise "Shay-Nutt" Simpson, owner and operator of undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com, The Female Hip Hop Honors Awards and founder of the Power In Pink Mentoring Program. During March 2011 the students at Prairie View A&M University will hosts its Business of Entertainment and Awards Show to focus on Women in Entertainment to do just what you are doing, honoring [s]heroes for their many contributions. We certainly will be reaching out to Ms. Simpson for assistance. Thanks for all you do Brother Watkins.
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