Ladies of Hip-Hop

Jackie Lopez on family, dance and life

In this episode of the Ladies of Hip-Hop Podcast, we sit down with Jackie Lopez, aka Miss Funk, the brilliant co-founder of Versastyle Dance Company. Together, we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the dance world during the pandemic. Jackie shares candid insights on the origins of Versastyle, its mission to uplift communities through Hip-Hop, and her journey as a mother in the dance world. We explore the unique challenges and triumphs we face as Black and Brown women in the industry, from breaking barriers to balancing motherhood and artistry. This conversation celebrates resilience, legacy-building, and the power of creating spaces where our stories and contributions are seen and valued. It’s a powerful testament to the strength and brilliance of women in Hip-Hop. @missfunk79 [https://www.instagram.com/missfunk79/] @versastylela [https://www.instagram.com/versastylela/] versastyledance.org [http://versastyledance.org]  Sound Bites "Dance culture saved my life in many ways." "I want to create opportunities for my community." "I hug my younger self for the journey." "I want Oprah to know about VersaStyle." "Family and community bring me the most joy."

Conversations with HER

"I never, ever did anything unless it was me, sounded like me, looked like me..." -Ursula Rucker Chatting with the incomparable @urucker [https://www.instagram.com/urucker/] about her work, life, and working together at UW-Madison. Ursula Rucker is an interdisciplinary poet, performer, and recording artist whose work reflects on personal history, family, and place. She characterizes her work as situated “along the edge of the terrains of poetry.” Rucker has released five albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists outside of the field of poetry, including The Roots, musicians and Pew Fellows Jamaaladeen Tacuma and King Britt, and, most recently, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Clarence Williams III. She has toured with her live performance memoir, My Father’s Daughter, which she describes as “90 minutes of self-truth and discovery.” In 2017, she collaborated with Nigerian sound and installation artist Emeka Ogboh to create Logan Squared: Ode to Philly, which featured an epic poem by Rucker that reflected Philadelphians’ voices and visions for the city. The work was presented as part of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Center-supported, citywide Monument Lab exhibition. A Philly 360 Creative Ambassador and recipient of Leeway Foundation’s Transformation Award, Rucker is the subject of the 2008 documentary Ursula Rucker: Poet, directed by Michael J. Dennis. #PhillyJawns [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/phillyjawns/]

Club Stories

Host by Michele Byrd-McPhee & LaTasha We moderate an inter-generational chat with inter-disciplinary women. Basically multisyllabic words to describe women that do all the things and think in all the ways! 🖤👏🏾⠀

On this episode we are featuring DJ Bizzy Brown and DJ Mariella

This is our first official Ladies Hip-Hop podcast episode hosted by myself Michele Byrd-McPhee a.k.a. the LadyByrd featuring two of our favorite crew members DJ Bizzy Brown and DJ Mariella discussing that DJ life.

Welcome to the Ladies of Hip-Hop podcast!

I am Michele Byrd-McPhee a.k.a. the LadyByrd founder and director of Ladies of Hip-Hop. This podcast is a space for by in about the beautiful talented fabulous smart female create is that make up hip-hop culture. On this podcast we will talk about everything from politics to music dance, culture & mommin... All the things We do. Thank you for tuning in and enjoy!