Yo Majesty: Futuristically Speaking

Yo Majesty is a Tampa, Florida-based rap group.

They mix fluid, raunchy raps with catchy hooks and hard-hitting electro beats. Rapper Shon B recently wrote in to discuss their craziest moments onstage, her outlook on life and the biggest misconceptions about Yo Majesty.

Yo Majesty is playing the Record Bar Sept. 28. For more info on Yo Majesty, check out http://www.yomajesty.com/.

How did Yo Majesty first come together?
I met Shundai in 2001 at a spot called the Habor Club where I used to perform in a group called Unpredictable. A bunch of studs who would get together and lip sing songs. But since I liked to rap I did a show rapping n after Shunda came up to me n introduced herself sayin she liked to rap too. And we have known each other since.

What inspires you lyrically?
What inspires me lyrically is that when I hear a beat. Me and that beat become as 1, n I say what I feel. It just comes to me that way.

How does your songwriting process work?
Grab me sum Paul Masson thats my drink, … & my Newports n turn on the box n go for it all nite long til mornin most of the time.

What do you look for in quality beats?
I love Hip Hop without a doubt. Thats what Im so into. But Ive been introduced to so many different beats, sometimes it don’t matter as long as it sounds gud n Im feeling it.

What have been some of your craziest times onstage?
O man!! Lol!!! No disrespect to no one! But the first time we did our show in L. A., Jewel took off her shirt That was 1 of the most craziest times n my book. N it has been a few more but since that was our first show I got to say Yea!!! That was crazy!

What’s been the strangest venue you’ve played?
When we went to SXSW again this was also a first time thing. So arrived n Austin at the airport a young lady has came to get us n this little car. We had a couple of days before we met up wit our producer for the SXSW, so we chillin wit the young lady n her friends at this old Frat House I think thats what they called it. Lol!! it was very very weird n they set up this homemade venue for us to perform for them. You just had to be there to see it! Even though it was the most strangest place & situation we made the best of it n had fun.

What albums do you find yourself listening to all the time?
I don’t listen to albums just a variety of songs. Thats just something I do! I don’t know why!!

What are some of your hobbies outside of music?
My hobbies r t.v. or sleep, doin a lil exercise every now n then, & playin around wit my girl, hangin out wit her. She’s my world!!! Yep Yep!!

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in your career?
One of the things I’ve had to overcome and I still sometimes find myself still overcomin is nt lettin people silly ways, negative vibes get the best of me. Because thats what hurt me the last time n caused me to quit. I feel a lot of people got the wrong impression of me when I left Yo Majesty the first time. Things were said about me that was’nt true at all, being lied on is not a good feelin. Im finna show the world Im here n ready. See Me!! Now That Im back I know this time it will be Righteous all the way. And I’m not goin to quit I don’t care what they say or try to do. I’m protected by a higher power!

What do you feel are the biggest misconceptions about Yo Majesty?
We are not no Hood Rats! We take doin this for the love of music & Hip Hop seriously! We don’t like to fight and cause a scene. We want to be heard n show that we have talent, we are smart, civilized adults, and don’t wanna be taken for granted like we have in the past. We are not wild and rude. We don’t like nor do we look for trouble in any fashion. We want to be respected at all times. We, nor I personally should not have to have our career jeopardized if we don’t go along with something that we don’t feel is right! We do things our way for a reason, so know that this is not a game at all. I enjoy what I love. This is all I see myself doin! So just keep us happy and everything else will speak for itself !