Neb Luv, née Danielle Hollis, is the founding member of Los Angeles, CA, based all-female Hip Hop collective, Da 5 Footaz, also consisting of Jah Skillz, Knehi, Cobra a.k.a. Red, Ka-Bar, and I-AME, who would later go on to sign with Warren G’s boutique imprint, G-Funk Entertainment, a subsidiary of Def Jam, along with the Twinz, The Dove Shack, Reel Tight and Jessica Betts.
First things first, August 11th 2023 marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop — What exactly does that mean to and for you?
IT means Hip Hop has lasted; has grown and inspired for a long time, and people that paved the way laid the foundation for a long time.
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?
Yes, because music is everlasting. I never thought so many cultures would take Hip Hop and not credit the legends…I never thought it would be so commercialized.
What are some of your fondest, most stand-out moments / memories during your lengthy tenure in this thing called Hip Hop?
Freestyling with Method Man at ‘The Show’ movie concert; sitting on the floor blowing, and busting back and forth. Being in a club called Peanuts rapping, while Chaka Khan was on drums, Queen Latifah holding tambourines, and I’m rapping just wild shit…jam sessions would go down. Seeing Pac all the time before he got shot and he would always give me a hug, but I never got to work with him.
That said, what are your future plans and / or goals for the 2025 season?
To release Neb Luv solo and crew albums, and mentoring other artists.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
Inspiration. Ideas…feel good moments.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Bob Marley because he was the best, period!
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
THE COLOSSEUM IN ROME; THAT WOULD BE SICK, JUST THE VIBES.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
THE MONEY ARTISTS ARE GETTING…YES, THROUGH TOURING NOT STREAMING, BUT THE TALENT IS LOW BAR, AND THE WOMEN JUST PUSH SEX; STANDARDS ARE LOW.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
LOVE FOR THE MUSIC.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations , maybe even completely away from entertainment?
START AN ARTIST LABOR UNION, SO ARTISTS CAN RETIRE.
What’s an average day like for you?
I DON’T HAVE AVERAGE DAYS; ALWAYS DOING SHIT. WE GOTTA LIVE SO I WORK, AND DO MUSIC WHEN I CAN.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
IF THEY HIT ME, I’LL RESPOND…BUT WORKING ON DOING BETTER; TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
PERFORMING; THE ENERGY IS AWESOME, AND SEEING PEOPLE ROCK WITH YOU FEELS LIKE YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
FOCUS, AND LEARN AND BECOME VALUABLE IN THE STUDIO ATMOSPHERE…AND, learn to RECORD YOURSELF.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
RELEASING ALBUMS ON OTHER ARTISTS, AND BEING A TOP 10 ENGINEER.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
THEY CAN SUPPORT ME AT NEBLUV.BANDCAMP.COM, AND STREAM ALL MY SHIT ☺
Any “parting” words for our readers?
SPREAD LOVE FROM NEB LUV [NEVER ENDING BLACK LUV]…5 FOOTAZ GOT MORE IN THE VAULT, STAY TUNED!
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