Ms. Boogie

Part 3 of our »Artists Of The Future« series:
Ms. Boogie

Katharina:
In your opinion, how are the two terms “being an artist” and “being an activist” related?

Ms. Boogie:
They go hand in hand, they are parallels: I feel that the reason why many people make art is to express their activism. All artists have a mission and a cause.

Katharina:
How has a certain struggle over identity shaped your path?

Ms. Boogie:
Making people understand what I identify as was a challenge. For a long time I was seen as a gay black man. But right now, I’m a woman that makes hip-hop music. Or, in better words: I’m an artist and an activist that also happens to be a woman.

Katharina:
Complete the sentences: I hate being labeled as…

Ms. Boogie:
… a queer rapper.

Katharina:
On the contrary, I would wish to be appreciated for my…

Ms. Boogie:
…for being a really cool aunt. My nephew is my pride and joy and I am the coolest auntie.

Katharina:
Your debut album Allure is about body ownership. In what situations do we struggle the most, to keep the ownership over our own bodies?

Ms. Boogie:
People believe that they have the right to decide what your identity is. When it comes to men in my life, they sometimes want to see me as a silly woman, sometimes as a trans woman, sometimes as a homosexual man who’s presenting himself as a woman. It is all based on their imagination, I have no word in this. Every album after Allure and every part of my life has been about my body ownership. I make music to set the point straight: This is my body and if we go to bed together and I share it with you, don’t take advantage of me and don’t fetishize me.

Katharina:
Since Paris Is Burning aired on Netflix, more and more people have learned about ballroom culture, a scene you are heavily influenced by. Can you explain what‘s happening there and what the current New York ballroom culture looks like?

Ms. Boogie:
I am happy to see that Paris Is Burning is so accessible again, but for me, it was always there when I needed it. The New York ballroom scene is a beautiful place for all who grew up in it. And the ones who are witnessing it for the first time are very welcome. It will always be a safe place for me and the ones in my community. The scene will always have new talents and styles. But it is a pleasure for it to stay underground. It seems like a preserved culture to me.

Katharina:
In Nylon Mag you said: “Quite frankly, I don’t know anyone who has transitioned publicly (a) in hip-hop or (b) in entertainment.” How have your experiences been so far?

Ms. Boogie:
I knew this question would come someday. So far, it has been an experience of responsibility. I am responsible for being honest with my audience and for sharing my transition. There are already a million people that are aware of identities like mine. But there is another million who has to refresh their knowledge and another million that needs to be educated. I am happy to join the new feminist movements and add the experiences that I make with my own physical body to this journey. Also me expressing myself through Ms. Boogie is so new—I feel like a baby all over again.

Katharina:
How can we picture a typical day in New York with Ms. Boogie?

Ms. Boogie:
First, I would invite you to my MTV crib in Brooklyn, we would get some really good weed. When we’re high, we would go to the park, and do some people watching. And later in the day, we would get into the car and take a ride. The music volume would be turned up a
nd we would feel amazing and shout out to the boys.