STR8 EXCLUSIVE: 5 QUESTIONS WITH LOLA MAXWELL + NEW MUSIC “LESBIONICA”

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By way of Washington, DC is femcee Lola Maxwell who’s on a mission to bring substance back to Hip-hop! A few weeks ago, we introduced y’all to Miss Maxwell’s Basik Edukation mixtape, we’ll we recently caught up with the rapstress for a lil’ Q&A session. Check it out!

Str8NYC: When did you begin rapping?

Lola Maxwell: I’ve been rapping for almost three years now.

Str8NYC: How do you feel about the rep females rappers have? For example, Nicki Minaj has the world in a Barbie frenzy, meanwhile people are questioning her skills as a rapper.

Lola Maxwell: Females aren’t represented well in the music industry, especially Hip-hop. It’s automatically assumed that since you’re a female you have to “sex it up”, which is sad. I feel like since Lauryn Hill hasn’t been on the scene the female rapper’s rep has gone downhill. So yeah, it’s very disappointing at the moment, but I’m working on changing that.

Lola Maxwell: Some of my influences include Kelis, Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, Q-tip, Common, Outkast, and Gnarls Barkley. They all inspire my creativity and make it okay to be different and just respect the craft. You have some people who try way too hard to be different. With the individuals I just named it just comes naturally and you can respect them as artists.

Str8NYC: When people hear your music, who do they often compare you to?

Lola Maxwell: I used to hear MC Lyte a lot, but now, I hear Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, and Lupe Fiasco.

Str8NYC: Why did you name your mixtape “Basik Edukation”?

Lola Maxwell: “Basik Edukation” came from the concept ‘back to the basics’. Back to basic lyricism, story telling, and emceeing. Holding onto that foundation that past emcees have made for us present aspiring emcees.

*Bonus*

Str8NYC: What message do you want people to get from your music?

Lola Maxwell: I want people to realize that I am a true hip-hop artist and that I plan to hold onto what was considered real hip-hop. Majority if not all of my songs will be about lyricism and storytelling, not simple a-b-c lyrics, and that’s what I want my audience to keep in mind. I also want them to see that I can be versatile and create songs that aren’t typical Lola Maxwell songs.

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Peep these pics of Lola doing her thing on the mic at Layla Lounge in DC.

Thanks Carrie!

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Lola Maxwell Posted under Exclusive Interview, Featured, Misc. Photos, New Artist, New Music, Outside NYC Events, Things They Say by J'More