Roxanne Shantae Go On Girl Zip
Violetta Wagganer
In 1985, Shante released a record together with rapper Sparky D, who had earlier released a diss track about her called "Sparky's Turn, Roxanne You're Through".[5] The record called "Round One, Roxanne Shanté vs Sparky Dee" was released by Spin Records and included six tracks: the two original battle tracks ("Roxanne's Revenge" and "Sparky's Turn") as well as "Roxanne's Profile" by Shante, "Sparky's Profile" by Sparky D and a battle track, in which the two rappers freestyle and diss each other, in a censored and an uncensored version.[6] Other hits included "Have a Nice Day" and "Go on Girl".[7] In 1985, Shante battled Busy Bee Starski for the title of "best freestyle rapper" but lost due to improper judging. Judge Kurtis Blow later admitted to Shante that he did not vote for her because she was a girl.[8] The ongoing battle with KRS-One hit its height when KRS-One claimed in his 1986 track "The Bridge Is Over" that Shante was nothing more than a sexual appendage to male rappers.[9] Shante released Bad Sister in 1989, The Bitch Is Back in 1992, and a greatest hits anthology in 1995.
"'The Bridge' was a tape in the Queensbridge projects for two years before anybody (outside of QB) heard it," he explains. "Down By Law just progressed because I was on tour with Shanté. Now I gotta come up with an album because I'm going here and there with the hottest girl in the whole game. Shanté was Beyoncé back then. I'm on tour wit' Beyoncé."
Shantae Pelt initially started the line to give her two girls shirts they could wear with pride and see themselves represented in. This family-run brand continues to celebrate what it means to be Black and beautiful with onesies, tees, sweatshirts and accessories.
Netflix has released the first trailer for Roxanne Roxanne, the story of a 14-year-old girl from the projects in Queensbridge, New York named Roxanne Shanté, who forever influenced the shape of hip-hop when she released one fiery, breathless track in the early 1980s. The movie traces Shanté's life as a hip-hop legend and a girl who was just trying to hustle and protect herself from the dangers of the streets. The film first premiered at Sundance last year and will be released on Netflix in March.
In 1985, Shante released a record together with rapper Sparky D, who had dissed her before in her track "Sparky's Turn, Roxanne You're Through" for disrespecting U.T.F.O. and being too young to be in rap battles. The record called "Round One, Roxanne Shanté vs Sparky Dee" was released by Spin Records and included six tracks: the two original battle tracks ("Roxanne's Revenge" and "Sparky's Turn") as well as "Roxanne's Profile" by Shante, "Sparky's Profile" by Sparky D and a battle track, in which the two rappers freestyle and dis each other, in a censored and an uncensored version. Other hits included "Have a Nice Day" and "Go on Girl". In 1985, Shante battled Busy Bee Starski for the crown of "best freestyle rapper" but lost due to improper judging. Judge Kurtis Blow later admitted to Shante that he did not vote for her because she was a girl. Shante released a greatest hits anthology in 1995.
Her pioneering 1984 single, "Roxanne's Revenge," is now eligible for platinum certification in the U.S. This song-- a true freestyle--is especially amazing because 39 years ago, a 15-year-old girl was able to encapsulate commentary about sexism and catcalling into a song and these are discussions society is still grappling with today.
Aside from writing about bands for 50THIRDAND3RD, CJDelMar runs the Girlsville Records imprint out of Portland, OR. Girlsville is home to bands like COACHWHIPS, HOOD RATS, TOWANDA, MR. AIRPLANE MAN, VIRVON VARVON, & THE PRISSTEENS. girlsville.bandcamp.com
At the hands of the DJs, that break moment became more: a composition in itself. The MCs got in on it, speaking their own clever rhymes. So did the dancers, b-boys and b-girls. Graffiti artists took it to the streets of New York City.
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