HIP-HOP
Princess rap
BY NINA WILLDORF
Princess Superstar, a white Jewish rapper, has busted onto the scene with her spicy blend of hip-swinging beats and potty-mouthed rhymes ("This pussy got four stars in Zagat attack it"). With her hit "Bad Babysitter," her team effort with Kool Keith, and her signature white-trash sexpot look, Princess Superstar will be slinking around on-stage at the Middle East on Monday to perform songs from her newest album, Princess Superstar Is.
Watch out, kids. This girl’s "kinkier than pubic hair."
Q: How did you get started rapping?
A: I started playing guitar and I started joining bands. And then I started experimenting on a four-track and rhyming, making beats. People aren’t used to what I do, they don’t know how to categorize me. I’m a female MC. I do hip-hop, rock, and electronic; I smush it all together.
Q: How’s the album selling?
A: In Europe, it’s insane. It’s number 11 on the charts with "Bad Babysitter." It’s more of an underground thing here, which is great.
Q: Does your message translate into your real life? What’s dating like?
A: My message in my record isn’t just about sex. It’s about being a strong woman. If you’re talking about going out and having sex every night, then no.
Q: How do men react when you tell them you’re a rapper?
A: Sometimes they’re, like, a bit dismissive. Sometimes they’re into it. Sometimes they think I probably suck.
Q: Do you have good groupies?
A: Yeah.
Q: Who?
A: I have such a mixed crowd. I have, like, total gay-fashion-y next to hip-hop kids, so I really don’t have a typical fan. In England, it’s super-weird: I have 10-to-15-year-old screaming kids. In America, it’s a smarter, more intelligent, older crowd. It’s funny. I’m not gay, but I have a huge gay audience, lots of lesbians.
Q: Is there anything that would make you embarrassed?
A: Yeah. The thing is, in a way, being vulnerable is embarrassing. For me, that’s the most embarrassing. Sex? Whatever. We’ve all heard everything before.
Q: What does your grandma think?
A: Both of them are alive. We played them a clean version of "Bad Babysitter." They loved it! They’re like, "Ohmygod, gorgeous." They’re like, "Ohmygod, she’s a big stawwr."
Q: How did you hook up with Kool Keith?
A: On my last album, we did a skit together. I was talking about how men in hip-hop are obsessed with women’s asses. I wanted a male ass on my cover. He really played along. Then I was like, "Let’s do a song together."
Q: I read somewhere that you’re really a shy person. Is that true?
A: Yeah, sometimes I really am, especially with boys. I dunno. Once I get to know someone, I’m like a hellcat. But I can be very quiet.
Q: So is this all an act?
A: It’s definitely an act. But it’s also in me. And I can also trigger it when I need.
Q: What’s the best compliment someone could every pay you?
A: That I’m completely original and innovative and that there’s nobody else really like me that’s out there.
Q: Worst insult?
A: That I’m getting by on my tits.
Q: Anything else?
A: I’m looking forward to playing Boston. It’s going to be hot!
Princess Superstar will play downstairs at the Middle East on Monday, April 29. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 on the day of the event. Call (617) 864-EAST.
Issue Date: April 25 - May 2, 2002
Back to the News and Features table of contents.