Nitty Scott On Activism and the Stage: Discussing this year’s Banjee Boombox festival

Episode Transcript

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[00:00:00] Introduction to Banjee Boombox Festival

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Jay Ray: This week on Queue Points, we are celebrating the Banjee Boombox festival. Banjee Boombox is a fiscally sponsored, vibrant QTBIPOC festival, dedicated to the celebration, amplification and cultivation of safe spaces for the diverse voices of women, non-binary individuals and LGBTQIA+ artists, DJs and musicians. Their mission is to create an inclusive platform that not only showcases the incredible talent within the community, but also fosters an environment where every unique voice can be heard and appreciated.

[00:00:40] Welcome Nitty Scott

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Jay Ray: On this episode, we welcome festival performer, Nitty Scott.

DJ Sir Daniel: QPoints Podcast family, I don't think you're ready for this one. Please, please hold on to your, to your devices, get comfortable in front of your, your television that you're beaming us onto, because right now in this moment, we are celebrating the, the event of the year, the Banshee boom box going down on August 3rd on top of the Sultan building in Brooklyn, New York.

This is a homecoming, not just for me, but. One of the illest MCs to ever come out of the game is going to be gracing the stage. I'm talking about none other than Nitty Scott, the MC. Nitty Scott, please. Welcome. Welcome to the Pew points podcast and welcome to our family. How are you feeling today?

Nitty Scott: I'm feeling good. Easy like Sunday morning, as they say. Very excited to be here, so thank you for having me.

DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely. So look, the only way I want to get this started is I'm going to hit you with one of your own bars. And we're going to talk about this. Okay. start it off.

[00:01:55] Nitty Scott on Activism in Hip Hop

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DJ Sir Daniel: I'm not a rapper. I'm an activist who rhymes nitty, please, what does activism look like in hip hop today? And talk to us about what kind of courage does it take to be an activist?

Wow.

Nitty Scott: Man, you know, I meditate on this almost every day. Um, because, For me, my activism, um, sometimes it feels like it causes me to be at odds with the world, you know, uh, the majority of the time, um, or to feel like, to feel like it's hard to just enjoy things, um, when you have a very strong sense and a very, and an urgency about it.

So, yeah. What is happening to our communities, um, at large. And so, yeah. So for me, you know, my activism for one, I, I have to say it's not, it's not performative. Um, it is embedded in my arts. Um, and that is very natural, and it's also, but it's also reflected within my daily life and lifestyle. And I guess what I mean to say about that is that it's very easy to attach yourself to a cause or become a voice for something, um, but it's, it's not just understanding those things in theory. But applying them in practice, and I, you know, I witnessed a lot of that in our in the game, you know, where there's a lot of throwing your fist up. Saying the slogan, you know, doing the thing and you know, I've seen people do quotes like, you know, the black woman is the most disrespected person in America.

Meanwhile, there's a black woman in your life right now being utterly disrespected, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. You know what I mean? So it's about living that out in my daily reality and not just, um, Yeah. In the arts and

Jay Ray: You just dropped so many bars in response to your bars. Right. Um, and that's, we see it play out and it's been true for you in your career. So if folks, if you do your research on Nitty Scott, you will see this. this activism pop up throughout your career, right? So it's not just trend setting in hip hop as a musical artist, but also taking hip hop into these other places, right?

Academic spaces, other spaces, right? And being able to represent there, right?

[00:05:11] The Evolution of Women in Hip Hop

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Jay Ray: So me and Sir Daniel were talking, we were having a really long conversation before, as we were transitioning into our conversation, and we were talking about, um, how different hip hop as a, um, as a, uh, uh, uh, commercial culture is, how different it is in 2024, right? Um, and in one of those ways that it's very different is the visibility and, um, money making ability of women in the game, right? It's a different level of what's happening. So,

Nitty Scott: women are lucrative in, you know, corporate, you know, the, the industry sees us as lucrative.

Jay Ray: yes. So Nidhi, can you reflect? especially as a person who has been living this for, you know, as long as you have, right? Reflect on 2024, where hip hop as a culture is today, in particular, um, the reflection or the representation of women and fems in the game. Like, what are some of your thoughts, feelings?

Nitty Scott: So, yeah, so this is a very layered conversation for me and I think this is a wonderful space to have it because I think, you know, the ability to hold space for many things being true at once. Um, exists here, right? And so we can, like, we can go there, we can hold space for all that. And usually, you know, you can't, you know, you try to say it in 140 characters and, you know, it just, things become very black and white and whatever.

So, I say that to say that as someone who has been, like, actively in the game since about 2011. I have watched, I have watched this Evolution sort of happened and,

Jay Ray: hmm.

Nitty Scott: you know, in my experience, if you were a female rapper, um, in the era 2011 through maybe 2014,

Jay Ray: Mm

Nitty Scott: around there, I really feel like it was difficult to get out of the shadow that was Nicki Minaj.

Um, you know, unfortunately, I just, you know, she definitely Had all of the representation if you will and I just felt like everything was always about your Even your proximity to her. Um It was like she became the default sort of Standard for what a female rapper is and should be and should aspire to be Etc.

Um, even there was even a new york times article that I was flattered to be a part of but You I remember the quote was like, uh, everything that Nicki Minaj worked so hard to build up, Nitty Scott enters and just tears down. Um,

DJ Sir Daniel: Wow.

Nitty Scott: yeah, yeah. Something like that. And you know, I might have the quote verbatim, but that was absolutely the sentiment.

And even though I was appreciating being covered and recognized, I really hated that. This specific writer, you know, however they chose to, um, well, I mean, okay, well, let me also also say that the article was about Nicki Minaj's influence. So it was about her influence. So I will, I understand the angle.

However, I wasn't being, it was almost like my identity in itself couldn't be defined without saying, well, this is where she is in comparison to that. And I was like, yeah, like what's that about?

[00:09:19] Challenges and Misogyny in the Industry

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Nitty Scott: You know, so I just say that to say that I did endure a lot of, um, and there was also a lot of just outright misogyny.

I mean, things that occurred on blogs, in comments, on social media, that not to say that, you know, it doesn't occur now, but things that Would get you ate up, would get you canceled, would get you, you know, think pieces, whatever the case may be. Um, I really, I even remember a, a specific blog, a popular blog, publishing a article once that was like, the headline was, Mitty Scott, do you prefer to listen to her music or look at her pictures?

Jay Ray: No.

Nitty Scott: And it was just like, they were very serious, and they were like, pick one, and everyone was just engaging and, you know, just a lot of, a lot of insane behavior. And I just, I used to get a lot of, a lot of rejection, a lot of just, like, flat out, this is a boys club, why are you here, we don't want to hear what you have to say.

Um, and even, even a sense of some people not believing that I am as talented as, you know, I present myself to be, or, you know, as they're saying kind of thing. I mean, I'm not gonna hold you. I think about the ringer that I was put through the minute people started. that she can rap.

Jay Ray: Mm

Nitty Scott: It felt like every radio station, you know, that I went to, it was like, prove it, go, go.

People questioning my pen, people questioning if I write my own lyrics, people questioning, if I'm really as nice as they say I am. And I just say that to say that if you think about some of the leading names, in that space right now. There are some that come to mind that I think can and have held their own, but as far as that, that level of intensity, that level of rigorousness, that level of, I'm going to make you come up here and I'm going to throw on a beat and we're going to expect you to wrap your ass off.

Jay Ray: Mm.

Nitty Scott: see

DJ Sir Daniel: happen anymore.

Nitty Scott: I don't see that being demanded of the women that we're kind of considering the best Female rappers will right now. Okay.

DJ Sir Daniel: that's wild. As you

Nitty Scott: I have to jump a lot of hoops to even like, to earn my right to like, call myself somebody who does this. Right.

And, and I feel like there's a lot of erasure

Jay Ray: Mm

Nitty Scott: of the women that endured that. And that continued to give you quality work, despite the fact that we don't have that same visibility. Now I will say that I, you know, am, have always been, um, deliberately indie and, you know, so that does speak to, I think why my journey was always going to be different, just, or,

Jay Ray: Mm-Hmm.

Nitty Scott: um, but yeah, but getting back more specifically into, into what we're talking about.

So I think it went from having to fight to even take up space, if your name was not Nicki Minaj, to this. sort of wave of acceptance and just as a culture, just people being curious, welcoming, you know, and, and eventually supportive of girls who want to rap

Jay Ray: Yes.

Nitty Scott: this, this, this happened gradually over time, but this was not something that was the case when I first, you know, popped out. Um, so yeah, I think, you know, I wouldn't call it. The renaissance that I've heard some people call it because I do still feel like there's an archetype, there's a lack of representation. I am, you know, I'm a fan of, of all of it. I'm a fan of all of it. And I think there's space for all of it. Um, but there is a lack of representation when it comes to just different facets.

of womanhood, um, being, being represented. And, yeah, so it's been kind of difficult for me to, like, feel like I'm genuinely happy, um, to see women getting these opportunities and being as visible as they are. And I think being the more progressive like leaders, um, like musically in the culture right now, you know what I mean?

Like I'm here for it. And, and I even tried to not be, um, what is it called? Like these men, these dudes have been out here being everything they want to be from, you know, an ignorant rapper that maybe isn't contributing much or isn't, you know, special in any way. Right. So in my, in my thing, it's like, I try, I do feel like there's some misogyny in the way that people try to make every single rap, a female rapper.

Appeal to everyone as opposed to like, and, and, you know, these men are allowed to just occupy whatever space they occupy to, you know, speak to whatever audience that they speak to. And, you know, this is, he's this kind of guy and he's this kind of dude and they can be whatever they are. But with women, it's like, you're to this, or you're to that, or, you know, they're trying to mold you into everything.

And I will say that I think, uh, Nikki. Went through that while she was like sort of maintaining that spot where I didn't think it was right for people to be like, well, why can't you be a little more this, a little more that? Well, why don't you pay attention to the other women artists out here that are maybe giving you that and you can go get and support that, right?

But instead you're demanding someone to, I don't know, appeal to you or, or anyone else. So.

DJ Sir Daniel: Nidhi, can I offer?

Nitty Scott: I've said a mouthful, but I, I, I think, I think about this a lot. And so that's just kind of where I'm at with it, where there's been a lot of progress. I'm happy to see the girls out here grinding and eating and, and taking up space.

Um, but I also don't think that it's the renaissance that everybody makes it sound like it is. Um, and

DJ Sir Daniel: Let me ask you this. So we just recently discussed this on, um, on a recent episode.

[00:16:37] Ageism and Legacy in Hip Hop

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DJ Sir Daniel: Uh, little Kim just, um, celebrated, we believe her 50th

Jay Ray: Mm-Hmm.

DJ Sir Daniel: We were discussing the, that in and of itself, the ageism aspect, because Lil Kim, for all intents and purposes, is the archetype and the, and the archetype of the goddess, the goddess MC that a lot of, um, the, the peers now are imitating in their own

Nitty Scott: the goddess, I will say, you know, cause it's not just. It's not just baddie rap, it's also like, and I'm with some niggas who, who will shoot you. You know what I'm saying? So it's got danger. I don't know.

DJ Sir Daniel: But now throwing ageism into that and how, you know, little Kim was already put through the ringer and disrespected in her own right, even when she was, when she was considered young in the, in the industry, but now throw ageism on top of that. And what do you have to say to that as well?

Because it's not the same. A woman aging in hip hop is not the same as a man aging in hip hop.

Nitty Scott: in, in general in the greater world, um, you know, women are seen as. It's like if you are already objectifying us, then of course you're gonna see me as a depreciating asset. Right.

Jay Ray: Mm-Hmm.

Nitty Scott: But for me it's about like, you see these, yeah. So on the one hand it's just, you know, flat out misogyny and you know, but there's also the ageism, uh, a specific ageism that is prevalent in our culture where I don't think that we embrace.

Um, you know, I, I understand that hip hop has always, um, has always been the voice of youth. Like, I, I get that youth, um, is always going to like drive things forward, but it's like, you look in, you, you can still see, uh, you know, You too. And the Rolling Stones and all that out here, Torrin oldest shit. You know what I mean?

Jay Ray: with diverse audiences, right?

Nitty Scott: So it's like, these artists are being appreciated for their seasoned artistry. And why are we, you know, devaluing our, uh, you know, forefathers, if you will. Um, you know, why is it that a lot of, a lot of the earlier. Rappers that, you know, put shit on the map, you know, there's, there's plenty of them that are not doing well, if you will, you know,

Jay Ray: Yes. Yes.

Nitty Scott: you know, and stuff like that, that I think is, is a shame.

And I think we do, you know, as a culture need to, um, not, again, it's nothing wrong with what is new and shiny and exciting and, and that will always be there. But, there is. There is undeniable value. There are gems in people who have stories to tell, people who have survived, people who have, you know, seen Things change and evolve.

There's so much value in that and we cannot throw that away. So, um, yeah, we'll always be an advocate for that.

Jay Ray: Wowza. I do, um You know what? Let's talk about Banji Boombox, because I do want to come back to something.

[00:20:45] The Importance of Community Spaces

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Jay Ray: But, I think, when you start talking about this idea, Niddy, as well, of like, creating spaces, and having spaces for us to like, be our full selves. When you think of a space like Banjee Boombox and you being able to grace that stage with this audience, why, from your perspective, is it important that spaces like that exist?

Um, because this is also something that we've needed. I can't imagine for us growing up what it would have been like to have a space like a Banjee Boombox where you could come and be your full self, right? So talk about that. Why is it important that these spaces exist?

Nitty Scott: Yeah, that would have changed the game, man. So, you know, for, for several reasons. For one, um, community, you know, just we need community. I need community. Badly, um, we all do and it's important to facilitate that, um, amongst ourselves and, and also for solidarity, um, amongst, uh, amongst us within, you know, what, what we got going on because we are up against, you know, a, a world that doesn't want us to exist you Um, doesn't want us to be happy, healthy, you know, celebratory, any of these things.

So it's, you know, it's very important, I think, to be like, just as, just as serious about that as we are about, like, working and getting to this money and, you know, all that good stuff. Like, being just as enthusiastic about. Like, curating community, um, and, and, and villages, um, because it's a really critical time.

It's a really critical time.

Jay Ray: To, to that as well. Can you tell us a little bit? What should folks expect from Nitty Scott at this year's performance at Banji Boombox? What you bringing, Nittie? Yeah. Mm

Nitty Scott: I am just bringing, like, frail Afro Latina girl, frailness, you already know, bruja vibes all day. Um, and we're gonna take a little trip, we're gonna take a little trip, so I'm gonna give them some. Some Mitty Scott gems that, you know, the people who've been rocking with me will definitely be excited about.

Um, yeah, we'll take a little trip down memory lane and, um, yeah, and then we're going to bring it all the way up to the now and, uh, yeah, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna have a lot of fun. I'm going to have a lot of fun.

DJ Sir Daniel: I mean, I feel like we could, we can continue talking forever because there's so many things in the landscape right now when it's, whether it's happening in front of the camera.

[00:23:56] Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

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DJ Sir Daniel: Or behind the scenes, like just the, the culture as a whole is just going through, I don't know, it's going through some growing pains, but I would not expect anything less because of the country that we're in, you know, we're, we're in this country, we are experiencing.

You know what I never thought I would be experiencing in this moment, Nitti, is this, this xenophobia that's popping up within the culture. You know, this whole, this whole argument about who was here first,

Jay Ray: It's wild!

DJ Sir Daniel: do, do immigrants have a stake in the game? And it's wild to me. Yes, I came to this country at two years old, but I have a stake in this, in this culture too.

It's wild. Like how, what, what are you experiencing in this moment when you feel it, when these things keep popping up, these little thorns, these, and it's always these grifters. It's people that are not really invested and love this, love the culture. It's these grifters that are coming to cause dissension so that they can make a coin.

Nitty Scott: Right. And division and and profit off of the, the chaos and inciting anger. Right. And like, like I think it's all about like triggering, triggering people and, and distracting us. From the work that needs to be done, because I feel like it's kind of like if I keep you divided, pissed off, frustrated, you are not going to have the capacity, the energy, even the information, right, to dismantle anything. So, yeah, yeah, your, uh, your attention is currency,

DJ Sir Daniel: Oh,

Jay Ray: Yes.

Nitty Scott: we got to be. Stingy. We gotta be stingy with that energy, baby. Stingy. Yeah.

Jay Ray: Nitty Scott. Constantly dropping gems. Both on wax and in interviews. What? Thank you so much For taking time out of your day to come here and hang out with us. Nitty scott is going to be on stage y'all at Banji boombox august 3rd at the sultan room And the planet of Brooklyn. Cue points is also going to be in the building.

Please, please, please come through Niddy. Where can folks keep in touch? Where do you prefer that folks come and get stay in touch with you and connect with you?

Nitty Scott: I would say Twitter and Instagram. Those are my homegirls. Hit me up at Scott Mc and I-T-T-Y-S-C-O-T-T, mc. Um, and if anybody's interested in working collaborations, bookings, any of that good stuff, maybe Scott Mc booking@gmail.com. Holler at me. Yes, yes. Pull up on August 3rd too. It's gonna be amazing.

Jay Ray: Yes, yes, yes.

DJ Sir Daniel: There you have it, QPoints Podcast family, Nitty Scott, thank you so much for joining us. Please join us August 3rd, the Sultan Rooftop Building in Brooklyn, August 3rd. Banjee boombox is about to go down. Again, we thank you, Nitty Scott, DJ Sir Daniel, J. Ray, it's QPoints Podcast, dropping the needle on Black music history.

Jay Ray: Peace y'all. All

[00:27:42] Closing Theme

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