Words by Marisol “Pinqy Ring” Vélez (@PinqyRing)
The Windy City Women series means to answer the question: How do Chicago rappers of the female variety function within several contexts of oppression? Each article a new woman rapper will be interviewed, celebrated, and asked critical questions to unpack and lay out the problem of marginalization and the lack of a defined presence. It is clear that sexism, misogyny, patriarchy and male privilege are present in Hip Hop, but do men (and, hell, even women) understand the woman MC’s agenda? And how, then, do we work together to champion that and celebrate the wonder women of Chicago for a more unified and unquestionable Midwest voice?
When speaking to an ex-boyfriend (Why is he my ex? Get out of my business.) about the wall I was repeatedly ramming into when it came to finding new women to feature on Windy City Women, he mentioned a young rapper named Tink. As a female MC, it has always been extremely difficult for me to be critical of other female MCs. 1. I understand the struggle and plight to survive. But, 2. I also have a no nonsense ear for good talent – you often don’t get to slide with me just because you’re a cute face and a gimmick. Aforementioned ex played “Fingers Up” on my MyTouch and I listened reservedly, though I was immediately in it. From the high energy performance that keeps you hooked to the sweet sung melodies and raw rap on a beat drop, I noticed a shining, twinkling Tink star and was determined to meet and feature the young songstress.
The fascination with the Tinkster, as I like to call her, didn’t die upon speaking with her, either, as is usually the case with most artists. Their music provides the smoke and mirrors but they’re terrible, robotic personalities or just plain assholes. Calling five minutes before our interview time set the tone for the young professional, and her apology for being early prompted me to share the story about how being early means you’re on time and being on time means you’re late. Thus, our journey commenced. With Tink really reaching into herself to answer questions and me sharing important information from a woman-in-rap perspective, if I could compose a list of my top interviews of 2012 she would be high on the list. She was humble, audibly hungry and… happy – which is a hard trait to find in young and often jaded rappers. FSD caught up with the sweet-as-honey young lady from the windy city, who’s budding into a Windy City Woman and dropping a ‘tape, Blunts and Ballads, this Friday.
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