If it's not the very first it's definitely one of the main questions as a Artist I seem to get pounded with in professional interviews - the all too famous “Are You Single?” The interviewer then proceeds in assurance that this is what the people are dying to know. Now, I’ve always wondered to myself what my relationship has to do with my line of work. I mean this is a professional interview. If I was on a regular J.O.B. my boss wouldn't be that concerned who I was with, but more concerned with the job I'm supposed to be doing. And yeah Interviewer why is it so important? Well hate it or love it, this has been a focal point for most career entertainment professionals and will be for years to come. So with that said I present to you my 1st entry of “The Stop Frontin Chronicles: 2011 Edition. Oh yeah I'm going Hollywood with this one!

As a people our images, our actions and our minds are driven by that of what society deems right or politically correct. If your audience doesn’t approve, you stray from the subject matter. It's difficult for and artist but whatever happened to just being yourself with the attitude that your true supporters will ride easy regardless? There’s this mentality that musicians, actors, comedians and all individuals who offer themselves to the world of entertainment cannot be sex symbols, considered attractive or dreamy if there’s a significant other in the picture. An entertainer who is spoken for is a huge turn off to the consumer so they say. It kills the “FANTASY”! But if we look further and examine other professions such as politicians, leaders of the church, doctors and so on, it’s almost required and only right for that individual to be married, have a family and be a consumer of the “All American Dream”. It’s considered great for the image. Right?

Now let me go ahead and break the ice by saying YES I am in a relationship that I am confident in being long term and I am extremely happy. So does that count me out of the running for potential record sales and career support from all men? Smh.. Well it shouldn’t because in the same breath I am exceptionally talented with a sexy swag that goes unmatched, confident, intelligent and independent all in the same. You can check the resume on that. At the end of the day, you’re buying my music, not my image and certainly not a date. It’s sad, but a true fact that artist have put up fronts or hide their significant others from public knowledge for the sake of sales or favor from the fans. And what’s worst is some have actually lost numbers/sales or fans for being in a relationship, getting married or becoming pregnant. Like really? Record labels and image advisors have had the tendency to encourage the product to “appear” single or available. Well I hate to break it to you fellas, but 9 ½ times out of 10 even if Ciara or Keri Hilson were single you would never have a real chance at even getting close to them. And ladies, I know you just adore Boris Kodjoe and Trey Songs, but you will never see what the inside of their bedrooms look like single or taken. #ImJusSayin

Now I can't front, for me coming into the industry this was a major issue I dealt with especially as a female in the game. Even with my current relationship in the beginning we were afraid to jump out the window because of how it would affect my career and draw more attention to my personal life then what I had to offer musically. He would pose as my assistant to refrain from answering questions of why we were always on the road together. We would order in and rent movies instead of going out or turn to the opposite direction if we saw a popular DJ at the mall. It was ridiculous, it wasn’t fair to him and it created problems in our relationship. But I finally came to a realization: Why sacrifice happiness for the sake of what another thinks? That was when I decided to jump out the window and reveal to the world that yes, I am happy, which was and still is a major risk with being a fresh artist breaking into the industry. And I’m not saying that I LIKE my personal life to be displayed or splattered across the front page, but I am saying that I am who I am, take it or leave it. And I’d rather be comfortable in both my relationship and my career by just being real about it from the jump so there no surprises or fantasies painted.

Same thing applies to the subject of an artist’s age or past history but that’s another blog for another day. As far as the relationship/image factor however, I like to consider myself a rep for the grown, sexy, and settled women across the globe who do have good men and aren’t afraid to admit it. Those women who stay pampered, and are highly supported by a real man who handles his biz. I represent the group who agrees that there are still great men on this planet earth and those proud of their successful relationship they’ve worked hard for. Sheeit, call me and Stretch the Jay & B of the Underground, the Barack & Michelle of the hood, The Oprah & Stedman of Hip Hop LOL. Besides, I’d rather have fans who respect me for my huge brain over my huge assets any day #ImJusSayin..And with that said this has been the first entry of the 2011 Stop Frontin Chronicles, til next time luvs!

Shelly B aka Hollywood Shellz
Hip Hop’s Queen Of The South

Let the people judge...let their voices be heard! Ladies your true fans will still be your fans no matter what and your status in Hip Hop today will ultimately prove itself. Now earlier we addressed some of Lil Kim's concerns so this time we'll take a deeper look at the Barbie Nicki Minaj. As far as the whole Nicki/Kim comparison, do I honestly feel like Nicki stole her style?? Well I'll say that if it matters to everyone that much, there are obvious similarities, but I also think that there could be some comparisons of Nicki to Trina, to Remy Ma and even Lil Wayne if you want to be completely honest.

With that said Nicki's taken what she's studied from Hip Hop, learned, loved and grown into her own character(s) - cause she got a few, that cannot be compared with any other female in the history of rap music. Now before you criticize you must remember to separate the Rap efforts [lyricism] from the style and character when trying to break this topic down. Lyrically Kim and Nicki no comparison...Kim went and aimed at B.I.G's crowd and it worked. Nicki on the other hand has not tried to go after Wayne's audience. Truthfully I think she's creating her own and that's one thing you can’t take from her.

Now with that said I have to go on record and say that any form of "copying" is not condoned or respected either, but in today's game it's just simply going to happen, especially if you've done something worth copying. I'll go deeper another thing I cannot bring myself to respect is someone lashing out at another for their own personal gain. It's a bitch move to say the least. But I sincerely hope this move isn't meant to be equal to a comeback on Kim's behalf. As mentioned earlier, I've always been a fan, and no I don't know her personally so there's always room for doubt on someone's true motive and mind frame, but this isn't going to do it.
 
The Lil Kim freestyle was lyrical but to be a shot a Nicki's entire album release, it was weak and pointless and WILL NOT kill Nicki's success. More than likely it will boost her more into the spotlight if anything. I've nodded my head harder to Lil Kim's earlier joints, before this rap beef, and that's what we need now from her. The whole situation we have here is just boring and recycled. I would much rather see both ladies shinning without falling victim of what’s to be expected of Women in Hip Hop, and at the same time providing a platform for more than one woman so that we all are given that chance to spotlight the music again. Let me also be clear in saying that Nicki isn't all the way off the hook either. I've heard a few jabs and left hooks thrown at the situation, and therefore she's not completely innocent of being engaged in what continues to bring us Female artist down. But there's a catch to being the bigger person as well.

We all are human, although some claim Martian which is some all the way wack-ish, but that's another topic I'll get into at a later date! Real talk sometimes you just get to that point where you have to acknowledge when you feel disrespected or got at, but it's not the chess move to make rash decisions and move off emotion. We as individuals especially artist must continue to prevail in competitive situations by keeping the focus on yourself and sticking to your guns while the others drown themselves. It's tough for women in Hip Hop. I can testify that it hasn't been easy to work with and support other females in my profession [AMEN]. Even though many who know me will tell you that I will be the first one to try and make it work. There are many of the real Divas left including me, but there are still those with the mentality shaped from what we have always been exposed to as Females in Rap. Call it dope fiend syndrome cause once you hooked it's Hell-a hard to get off that, no matter who serves it to you!

The comparisons will always be there, the temptation to fight instead of progress will always be driven by the simple minded, and you will sometimes feel like your genuine support of one another is in vein and your attempt to empower them is taken for weakness. I've worked with some females with the same simple attitude so I go all in like when I'm working with male rappers. And for that I'm hated on. Funny how it sounds but its real talk!

For my acts of visualizing the bigger picture only to have it back fire by being schemed on the whole time can at times bring you down to their level.  All too many times I have experienced this type of situation with females because of the people that surround them! This so called ideal picture that is painted of the female rapper that brainwashes the up & coming and the unfairness of the music industry period when it comes to women MC's, while the males are doing what?? You guessed it, getting paid and for some male rappers getting paid for some straight wackness!

So with that said Kim let the chips fall where they may. If Nicki doesn't respond I hope you drop this, cause if you don't you will tarnish your legacy and wind up looking like the bitter washed up rapper that can't get back on. Nicki I hope you shine sista, and you do it the right way. Keep the knee pads at home for your man and let your grind and work ethic get you to the top. And when I see you both on stage with me we can all do Ladies First together...but my verse goes first cause I'm nice like that....POW!