Not so long ago I had the priviledge to hear this wonderful lyricist in a collaboration hit with none other than Ransom himself, the God of bars, and I was so amazed that I just had to have her in my kitchen for a short conversation. And my idea soon come to life, as this lovely girl agreed to share her thoughts and personal quotes with me. So exclusively for "Kurrent Music", here is Dutch ReBelle:
C: First things first, I would like to thank you for giving us this short interview and sharing your story with "Kurrent Music", we are excited to have such a talented young artist among our blog sections, hope you will find Kurrent a good place to be represented in. To start off, tell us something about your catchy artist name. ReBelle? And Dutch? How that happened?
DR: My first name is Vanda so when the Von Dutch clothing line came out everybody started calling me VanDutch. When I decided to do music, I added the “ReBelle” to honor Lauryn Hill’s “I Find It Hard To Say (Rebel)” I made it “Belle” to honor the Zoes of course!
C: Ok, and what is that distinctive flawa that puts you in the special light and differentiate you from others, yet keeps you within the Hip Hop flow?
DR: I think a lot of artists are scared to do what feels right to them. I love the 90s era but I love production so that gives me a unique insight. I want to be known for flipping a beat on its side and giving you a record you don’t expect over certain production.
C: Who are your most inspiring artists?
DR: Artists like Missy Elliott, Foxy and Biggie always influenced me. I was heavily influenced by reggae artist like Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man too for the way they rode the beat.
C: What is it like to collaborate with so many great names in Hip Hop industry, like Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T, Wu-Tang, Melanie Fiona and others and what have you earn from that kind of experience?
DR: I learned that if you’re standing in the same room with me ..then for that brief moment we’re in the same spot. 2 people trying to get it! For me, it was humbling because im fans of these artists but it also got me hungry because it showed me how close I was to where I want to be.
C: How much value have all those nominations and awards via various Hip Hop events and all those praises towards you?
DR: I honestly appreciate the most that my friends and family get to see stuff like that. Im not really doing it for praise so that isn’t the point. But to see my homies that just think life is against them see things like that is dope. To see my elders or people that just got home from jail see my face on the Metro or winning awards is inspiring to them so it just keeps me going.
C: Three successful Mixtape projects in your portfolio, what are their behind the scenes stories and how you feel about fans feedback on them?
DR: The stories are in the music! But I think people are really interested in getting to know me like a long lost friend and I think its dope that so many people relate to stuff you kind of assume you’re alone in. Love talking to my fans – they surprise me all the time!
C: Since you are a Boston native, tell us little bit something about your growing up in the Boston`s Hip Hop hoods, maybe some story behind real Ne`Vanda Bernadeau, and do you still kick it there?
DR: I came from Haiti and moved to Mattapan then Milton. Since most of my family lived in Mattapan my childhood was split up between those two worlds. I still go to Mattapan to get my beef patties, same liquor store or gas station just to roll through and touch the streets. But my family doesn’t live in Milton anymore so that’s pretty much it for over there lol
C: And to get back in the studio, what are your plans for the nearest future, is there any possibility you can reveal a detail or two about maybe your debut LP or something like that?
DR: Since I just put out KISS KISS, of course im following it up with BANG BANG. Ive been working closer with producers and letting them into my world so we can create the soundtrack to the life im living now a days. That will drop first quarter next year.
C: Who would you like to see joining you behind the mic on the next collab?
DR: Locally, Avenue or Joyner Lucas. Other than that, I would work with this dope MC named 3D Na’Tee or reggae artists like Sizzla. Honestly, if you’re dope and im a fan of your music im always down to work.
C: How important is a real connection with fans and how to keep them in the same loop of fresh new catchy ideas, to be constantly in the zone and to keep them inside your music passion?
DR: It’s everything! I always say TAKE BACK THE MUSIC at my shows because too many people are being influenced by society’s idea of “cool” which I think is whack as hell. I give my # out at shows so they can talk to me directly. I try my best to just check in and see what they like or don’t like since im doing it for US anyway.
C: I was mesmerized by your bars in Ransom`s "Hashtags", hearing you sadly for the first time. As music producer and artist myself, and a true Ransom fan, I really want to hear more about that collaborative energy.
DR: Thanks! I actually never even met him in person but Ransom is a BEAST on the mic. It was dope when he hit me up to work on the record but when he sent it I was hype because it was so RAN!! I listened to his part for days before I wrote a word.
C: As a young woman, developing into a great artist, where do you stand on the topic of the status of women musicians in the music industry today, since it has always been harder for them to step up in the game and keep up the tempo, do you see that border moving forward and spreading up or maybe getting transparent in a way that it is just a matter of time when it wouldn`t be payed attention to the gender anymore, but to the artistic expression of the artist only.
DR: I think people who look at the border are stuck under it. I’ve always been a girl running with the guys so this isn’t anything new. People suck – they can be mean, vicious, jealous blah blah. Everyone gets their short end of the stick so the female version of that is just what it is. I never cared much so I don’t plan to :)
C: Artist block and how you deal with it?
DR: I try best to go out and LIVE. I don’t want to recycle feelings – if I can’t write its because im not inspired. So I try to do what I was doing before music then come back to it.
C: And to take this incredible short journey to the end, what is the best advice you can give yourself and are there any mistakes in the past worth going back for and fixing them and how important is the never-ending process of learning through every moment that goes by?
DR: Mistakes don’t exist – only ways that don’t work. You gotta go there to know there so don’t ever let somebody tell you whats what. You’re the missing link …go for it.
C: Final words and any message for the upcoming fans?
DR: If you ever listened to my music, thank you. If you haven’t – you probably should come audiokick it for a minute!! LOL Other than that..text me so I know its real and follow me on Twitter (@DutchReBelleFN) and IG (DutchReBelle). Don’t forget to VOTE for me this years Boston Music Awards also!617.860.3557
kisskiss!
And there it is folks, Dutch ReBelle in my special Kitchen edition, we cooked a decent dish especially for you "Kurrent Music" tasters, so I hope you enjoyed it and will come back for more. Now, clean the table and swipe off to ReBelle`s support sections, go check her out, do make sure you follow and share her work and most of all, vote for her art at fortcoming Boston awards. Stay fresh, peace.
