Today we take it to the Bay for our WCS HipHop50 series by our own Todd “DG” Davis – who started this project as a way to celebrate the 50th year of hip-hop by asking a variety of artists similar questions about the subject to see the varying responses he would get. For this feature he hooked up with Suga-T, a member of The Click and sister to E-40 and cousin to B-Legit (our other feature for the day). Read below for Suga-T’s thoughts and current dealings!
First things first, this year (August 11th) marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop — What exactly does that mean to and for you?
I have mixed feelings about it, but overall excited and thankful that I am a part of Hip Hop History and one of the original Hip Hop trailblazers that busted the doors open from Northern California, West Coast Bay Area, Vallejo, CA. The fact that we organically built presence with not gidgets, gadgets, tricks or treats is amazing and monumental in itself.
To quote the late, great The Notorious B.I.G., “You never thought that Hip Hop would take it this far!” — Was this something that you ever could’ve imagined?
I never doubted or envisioned Hip Hop going this far, and only because I never wanted to get caught up in it being my only life focus and skill set.
What are some of your fondest, most stand-out moments / memories from your lengthy tenure in this thing called Hip Hop?
Some of the fondest moments consists of many, but just to name a few; The Lyricist Lounge Show and being invited onto smash on the first season, maintaining one of the biggest brother and sister Hip Hop duets in history with my brother E-40, and the fact that fans love this song after all these years…being honored by Queen Latifah and VH-1 was monumental; being highlighted as my legacy making West Coast Hip Hop pioneer of all time and getting a major shot out from Latifah confirming, closing out the stage in New York with a free-style and, of course, becoming a grandmother, opening a museum, becoming a Doctorate and being surprised with a second one, which made me carry a double Doctorate status, while inserting my time into helping build communities and change lives, in between recording and now releasing a 25th album.
That said, what are your future plans and / or goals throughout the remainder of 2023, going right into ‘24?
I will continue to release music, products, help change lives, support the lineage of generations that I matriarch, and continue to push for Hip Hop to create more equitable and equality for women who chose to mature and not stay stuck in the matrix, yet still implement culture competency and relevancy in their lane and within their skills and abilities. I am also releasing my 25th album, HEIRESS I Am.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
I want people to know that there are women out here that do not only have to sell sex and foolishness in order to maintain a sense of relevancy, and be an outlet for those that are tired of listening to music from women that do not grow them or teach them survival skills. I also want my music to represent that I have a well-rounded approach to my life, and it is a healthy representation of that, as well as providing music that touches their soul.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Staying healthy, not getting stuck in the matrix, increasing education and information that is real and not driven by hype, while being around people who are spiritually awake and conscious of their purpose here on earth, willing to share that energy and game with you.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?
I will continue to educate others and build my social enterprise of Sprinkle Me beauty, fragrance and accessories, Her Museum, Sprinkle Me Learning Academy, coaching and development, Sprinkle Me School of Music and Vision, and Work It Well project, changing as many lives that I can.
What’s an average day like for you?
I run my business dailly, stay connected to my family, work out, pray and meditate, and network to collaborate with great people on the same accord.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
I love my fans because I know that they are real and genuine, only because my brand was not and is not driven by hype, so when they acknowledge and love on me it’s because it’s from a different place of deep comfort, healing and relief. There is not a lot of that in Today’s music from women that encompass that.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
The favorite part of the work is that I’m good at it, and it does work as a business card and influential element used to change lives…but I don’t like that the industry today is making a mockery out of the genre, and it does not seem to be authentic anymore and everyone’s agenda is in it, while healthy music is being buried with music that causes trauma when modeled, and people don’t get it when they are fresh, young and rebellious; this is dangerous for society, communities, families, the culture and artists as a whole. I also don’t like that elders are no respected, supported and appreciated in Hip Hop, when all other genres do the opposite.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Get educated, learn from the Generals, be prepared to work hard, then learn to work smart, stay humble, seek God and make sure it’s your calling, not just because you see everyone else doing it.
What’s up with E-40, B-Legit & D-Shot [The Click]?
We are all growing and building in our mogul experiences, music and embracing our Gee, while preparing to release another album.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
I will continue to do the same thing that I do daily; standing on something, educating others, staying educated, embracing and leading my lineage and rocking for the culture, to make positive and healthy changes that build others, not tearing them down to benefit. Producing and releasing more movies, more music, more projects…will always smash in my mogul movement, while building in my humanitarian efforts.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
Nope, we good and hopefully clear…but I hope to see more older women be more appreciated in Hip Hop and in the world in general, because we are some raw chicks that carry the torch from so many perspectives, and it should be appreciated and embraced, and I hope that Hip Hop grows up, it’s about that time…
Any “parting” words for our readers?
Thank you for being openminded, and I hope you grow from my journey…peace and blessings, stay connected with me and lock into my social media; I am not that average joe in the game, so don’t get it twisted with hype and real…the real, real is all I know, the hype has no substance and has to do extra to get the buy in…
