Urban Vault caught up with Harlem, New York City-based Emma Lee M.C. for an exclusive interview to coincide with the release of her new album with Munich, Germany-based producer Roccwell titled CHOCOLATE BARS

‘Chocolate Bars‘ is the debut collaboration album by Emma Lee M.C. and producer Roccwell stays true to its rooted theme and includes a few musical twists, start to finish. From its concept, choice of instruments, variation, undeniable lyricism, sounds, and messaging, it creates both curiosity and satisfaction and leaves Hip Hop lovers surely wanting more. We spoke to Harlem, New York City-raised, Ugandan-born, award-winning Hip Hop creative Emma Lee M.C. on her career so far, musical influences and background, women in Hip Hop, and her future plans.

Welcome Emma, can you share a bit about your journey as an artist, how did you first get into rapping, and what have been some key moments in your career?

I started rapping in elementary school in a cypher in an empty classroom. I found my friends there rapping, beatboxing, and making beats on the furniture and was amazed, then immediately struck with the idea I could do it too and likely better than many. I jumped in and after two bars the room was screaming in delight, mostly from the sheer happening of me stepping up and coming in so competently and confidently. I was known as the straight-A student, a good girl, chill homegirl, so that took a lot of bravery. My reward was a lifetime of inspiration and a love with this powerful culture. Key moments in my career include performing over fifty shows a year with the Oscar & Grammy-nominated Impact Repertory Theatre, being an engineering intern at T.M.E. Pro Studios in the Bronx with Fred Ones, being a producer of Boom Bap TV at Sublime Crown Studios in Brooklyn with Emzkey One, and videographer, photographer, and editor for Rap Is Outta Control at the SiriusXM/Shade 45 studios.

What drew you to Hip Hop as a form of expression, and which artists or albums have had the biggest influence on your sound?

I was drawn lyrically to the culture because writing was an early artistic love. I was very fond of poetry, deep writing, comedic writing, anything I could feel. I became a big fan of battle rap, that energy and skill was undeniable. I explored a lot of arts and even styles in singing, but always found Hip Hop channeled my voice, whole body, and spirit differently. Once I get started talking about inspiration it’s a long list because I’m very receptive to creativity. As far as albums I was inspired by masters of music; Stevie Wonder, George Clinton, James Brown, Nina Simone & Weldon Irvine, Prince, Teddy Riley, Rodney Jerkins, J Dilla, Fela Kuti, African drummers, a ton of women instrumentalists and artists from different countries. Vocally even as a rapper I’m inspired by those who set standards or are outside of the box, Sarah Vaughn, Betty Carter, the Clark Sisters, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner. The likes of Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Betty Davis, early era songs like ‘Jam On it’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘It’s Just Begun’ encapsulate the playful energies I’m fascinated with. I could go on, and that’s not even touching the modern inspirations.

Besides rapping, do you have any other artistic outlets or creative interests, are there any other genres or forms of art you are passionate about?

I was in a dance troupe by age seven and by twelve was in my traveling performing arts troupe Impact Repertory Theatre which exposed me to multiple forms of live performance. I took the opportunity to explore what they call being a ‘Triple-Threat’ or more in the theater. Then I was enamored with how things are produced on stage and screen and became passionate about behind the scenes. Media tech, production, and arts management became my complimenting interests. Now being an author, I’ve found longform writing a new outlet for my deepest streams of consciousness and research. Pro-wrestling seems to be one of the final forms of my physical and creative expression, though I’d like to give fencing a go.

You have a very unique lyrical style. How do you approach songwriting, and what inspires you when writing your verses?

Thank you very much.* GZA is one of my favorite members of Wu-Tang (if I had to pick) and he changed my world when he said,

“KILL THEM IN FOUR BARS, AND IF YOU CAN DO IT IN TWO, TWO”.

My first mission is always to move myself and move the crowd. To never be boring! I align with Tupac Shakur’s love of deeply gripping writing and the legacy of Black Arts Movement writers, as well James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison who created their own lanes. My mother initially named me after the novelist Emily Bronte, whom akin to GZA’s suggestion, is mostly legendary for her a single landmark work ‘Wuthering Heights’. It’s my intention to be impactful, even if subtly or softly, but significantly, memorably, every time, even if the writing isn’t centered on me.

In ‘Cravings & Withdrawals’ you delve into deeper themes. Can you talk about the emotions and ideas that drive your lyrics on this album?

Ahhh, yes. I really wanted to shape the album once the theme surrounding chocolate became clearer, and this was a perfect opportunity. When I described what the song was about to Bahamadia, first in written form, I wish I could’ve seen her face, ha! I packed a lot in there to tell a tale about the value and difference of quality and the climate of artifice that was evident in everything. There is an invisible war or constant paradox for many women in Hip Hop, much like those who farm the fruit and seeds which make chocolate whom we rarely see or think about. It was refreshing to get to the bars and say simply I want something real, in every area of life, and going without it is hurtful, but not hopeless. ‘Cravings & Withdrawals’ featuring Bahamadia Animated Visual.

As a woman in Hip Hop, what challenges have you faced, and how do you view the current landscape for female emcees?

Women in Hip Hop face all the challenges men face, and then some extra, also depending on who they know, where they’re located, and what their aspirations in the culture, business, and industry are. Simple things like shows at night and having to think about safety in a way our male counterparts maybe don’t have to consider, or familial responsibilities where its commonly expected for men to relentlessly pursue their careers while a woman ‘Holds It Down’. A lot is the same, dodging advances, protecting your work, taking risks. Mansplaining sucks, it will always suck, I see this happen to women of all levels and professions. As an engineer, I’ve had people walk into the studio, see me at the boards and almost laugh as though it had to be a mistake. Ratio, I’ve had people request me to be their engineer even before I had full scope of the boards, because they trusted my ear, focus, and musicality. The current landscape is great with many more women artists and creators in the field, though there’s a lot of room for better environments, new images and diverse approaches with the budgets to execute at scale.

Where do you see your music evolving in the future, are there any new styles or themes you’d like to explore in upcoming projects?

There’s absolutely musical evolution for me. I’m very excited about the visions we’ve had for “Chocolate Bars,” so I want to give it the room to spread its wings even sonically as a live show and all the references we homage. However, the musical variations on this album like the Spanish guitar opening, electric guitar riff on ‘Hatshepsut’, classical strings on ‘The Gifts’, nod to 60s/70s girl groups on the hook of the title track—will definitely be explored more. I have a cypher to connect with my African origins, and a principle to never be boring.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring female rappers trying to make their mark in the industry?

Treat everyone well/accordingly, mental health is health, and if you can see it, you can have it. Don’t let age, gender, race, emotional baggage, your level of experience, the money you have or don’t have, unsupportive friends or family—anything—convince you out of what you’re called to do and be. Stay organized, do your homework, and always know enough to be dangerous.

Thank you for your time and may you continue making dope, fresh music…

Emma Lee M.C. & Roccwell – Chocolate Bars via iTunes/Spotify

‘Chocolate Bars’ on CD/Vinyl
(Selected stores below, the album is available in record stores all around the world)
Ill Adrenaline Records Exclusive Limited Splatter Vinyl
HHV Exclusive Limited Brown Vinyl
Fat Beats

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