In the summertime of 2020, Sesali Bowen was working on her memoir Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist. As she reflected on her experiences growing up in what she calls “the bad b-tch era,” she realized that while queer and female rappers were having a moment in Hip-Hop, there have been no podcasts to capture it. So Bowen went in regards to the business of making one. She reached out to Pierre Phipps, one half of the rap duo Freaky Boiz, to assist her co-host and the show, Purse First, launched that following January.
The phrase comes from a Black colloquialism which Bowen believes originated from street-based, sex work culture. The total phrase, “Purse first, ass last” speaks to the notion that the cash should come before any of the fun stuff.
“I made a decision to go along with that because the name of the show because I believe that’s the general vibe of female rap without delay. It’s money first.” Bowen says.
It’s also a commentary on the ways wherein the work of queer and female artists has been diminished in additional traditional Hip-Hop spaces.
“When female and queer artists go on a few of these other podcasts or radio shows, a number of times the one thing that the hosts wish to check with them about is sex and sexuality,” Bowen says. “We’re very intentional about not doing that. Though me and Pierre talk a lot sh-t, are funny and we now have an excellent time–what’s very clear is that we take the artistry, the careers and the business of those women seriously. Purse First is to disrupt the boy’s club of Hip-Hop commentary typically.”
As queer artists like Lil Nas X and Saucy Santana are shifting the parameters of Hip-Hop, there are still certain sects of the Black community who’ve been reluctant to embrace the movement. Most recently Lil Nas X made headlines after he spoke about not being nominated for a BET Award this past summer, though his album Montero received a Grammy nomination for album of the 12 months. Bowen says homophobia is a residual effect of anti-Blackness.
“The identical thing that makes a BET the last ones to leap on the bandwagon with a Lil Nas X or a [Saucy] Santana is identical rhetoric that will tell Black men to tug their pants up. Or Black girls to stop being ratchet,” Bowen says. “That reliance on respectability politics is incredibly problematic.”
Still within the midst of all the opposition, Bowen is inspired and encouraged by what queer artists have been capable of accomplish.
“What’s amazing though is that queer people have really innovated and been capable of reap the benefits of the platforms which might be available to them to not only just exist and live but to also make art and good art, to contribute more meaningful conversations and make impact on culture,” Bowen says.
Previously two seasons of Purse First, Bowen and Phipps haven’t only been capable of carve out a lane for themselves, they’ve honed an authentic voice.
“I believe that combined with my specific experience with entertainment journalism, Pierre and I together have a novel perspective,” Bowen explains. “Considered one of the things that I’m really pleased with is that we’re not afraid to be honest.”
For Bowen and Phipps being honest means offering constructive criticism and never feeling pressure to love every artist they discuss. It also means not “canceling” an artist each time they do something Sesali or Pierre deem unsavory. This dynamic comes up often of their discussions about Nicki Minaj.
“Pierre is an excellent Barb. And I’m a really disgruntled Nicki fan,” Bowen says. “I’m very critical of among the decisions Nicki has made, how she responds to certain situations. But ultimately, I’ll still say it with my chest that Nicki is one in every of the toughest rappers to exist, period. And is one hundred pc the Queen of Rap.”
Ultimately, Bowen says she and Pierre desire to be critical while still supporting and wanting to see these artists win because “that’s the grace that’s given to those n-ggas.”
Within the upcoming third season of the show, Bowen is trying to expand on the show’s foundation.
“I’m really excited to look forward and backward when it comes to female rap,” Bowen says. “I’m excited to form of tell among the stories of female rappers or iconic female verses that meant so much to us.”
She has one specific woman in mind. Lola Damone who wrote the verse “50 B-itches Deep.” It was one in every of the primary songs Bowen remembers printing the lyrics to.
“I needed to learn them immediately,” Bowen recalls. “That verse has stayed with me endlessly. I believe it’s one in every of the best examples of female-male collaboration. So I actually need to do more oral histories. We’re not all the time just chasing the news of what the ladies are doing now. We’re also talking a couple of broader, fuller culture so it really can feel like that is for female Hip-Hop heads.”
Bowen also lists Saucy Santana as one in every of her dream guests. He’s come up as a favourite of past guests and Bowen wants him within the room. She hopes that as Purse First grows, women and queer artists will come to comprehend it as a protected space.
“[Artists] can go speak about their music with people who find themselves going to maintain it real with them, respect them, know what they’re talking about and are passionate. We would like to let it’s known that we exist and are here.”
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