Josie Stingray has eclipsed the Internet this past month with her killer smash single ‘Got To Get It', and with a mouthwatering crate of kicks to match that lyrical prowess she's definitely one Freakette to watch. Known more for her love of Jordans than Jordache, the Oakland born MC fought off stereotypes and expectations to release a stack of jams that refused to compromise on her love of kicks and ‘tomboy' ways. Spearheading The Honor Roll Crew, Josie is set to take the reigns from Ms Lauryn Hill and bring back a sense of integrity and raw style to the female hip hop game, looking fly ever beat of the way. We caught up with the Jordan III Queen on the eve of her album launch and found out there's more to this lady than just her dope ass kicks!
Waddup Josie... tell us a little about yourself...
My name is Josie Stingray, I hail from Oakland, CA. USA! I am a solo MC, who is a part of dope progressive music collective called The Honor Roll Crew (HNRL) based in the Bay Area, California and we make slap aka dope music.
Tell us how this sneaker fetish all started for you...
My affinity for sneakers started when I was a little kid. I was fortunate to have some tight ‘swagged out' cousins growing up. They had the latest of everything. They would also come to the crib with the new shit that I just couldn't afford at that time. I always wanted ‘one up' them when I was smaller. That is why I related so much to Jeff Staple's ‘To Darrin Hudson' back-story. We all have a Darrin Hudson in our lives - someone that is so ill that you just want to get this fool with something that he doesn't have or slept on. I was on that a few years back, but I have definitely chilled out. As a kid I was rocking Saucony, Reebok Classic and some Xj900s - unfortunately times where rough and tough like leather. I could not afford Js, but was in love with the creation. I was working for my Aunt's daycare just so I could buy a pair of Air Max 95s when they dropped back in the day. It wasn't until a few years back that I was able to go buy ALL the shoes I missed out on. That is when the collection got a little crazy. I love love love ‘90s basketball, baseball, football and running shoes - Jordans, Barry Sanders, Griffeys, Barkleys, Pippens, Dion Sanders, Reggie Millers, Pennys, Chris Webbers, Rodmans, Paytons, and Jason Kidds etc. When NIKE began to re-release all the ‘90s B-Ball kicks I was on it hard a few years back. I hope Nike just keeps the vault open!
How does your love of music and sneaker culture meld together?
Rap and sneakers just go hand in hand. Just look at history. It's just a part of the both cultures. I think that is why the ‘Got To Get It' video works so well. I think it melds together because I am a true shoe enthusiast and I am an MC. So naturally it just works.
You've been making waves in Oakland with The Honor Roll for a minute now - for all us international heads, tell us how it all started and give us some insight into The Honor Roll movement.
We all were into the same type of music first off! Whiz initially spawned the idea of forming our talents into a crew. Trackademicks became the trailblazer in getting the movement to a noticeable level - people like Aaron LaCrate where flying us in to NYC to perform at the Yo Yo Party for Mark Ronson's birthday bash! The movement is pushing progressive music, ideas and visuals to the general public. We're giving people other options besides the same old stuff you see and hear. I think the " Got To Get It" video I did really lives up to the point I am making about giving other new options. I don't believe there's ever been anyone, let alone a black girl like me talking about Jeff Staples in my raps, wearing rare Patta x Asics sneakers in Oakland,Ca. Now people have the option to see that. We represent a new idea, a new progressiveness. And it's all entirely organic!
Dope! What do you think was missing from the hip hop scene - you've been quoted as saying you're ‘reinstating the female MC back into the scene' - how so?
Well Lauryn Hill has mos def been missing, hahah. But she is a mother of five, with another on the way; so she is not thinking about coming with the sickest raps in the cypher nowadays, feel me? Her departure was definitely felt, but I think I want to contribute to placing the female back on a major platform. I can't say that I will be the only one, because I don't want to be the only one. That is no fun - being the only person on a mission. I just want to make my contribution to the music that I fell head over heels for as a kid. I don't wear that female MC on my sleeve, it's just there - it's obvious what I am. But I do feel like that just being a woman foremost, we have shit to say too and we naturally have a different perspective naturally on life. You need a balance in whatever you are doing. That is why they say a child needs a mother and a father so you can have two perspectives showing new shit in life. There are other females doing their part, but I will reinstate what I feel the game is missing. And that's spitting different stylistically, giving the game completely different visuals like the "Got To Get It " video.
So with the crowning title ‘Queen of Jordan IIIs' is it safe to say, they are the ultimate kicks in your crate?
I would say so at this point. I love the design of the shoe and the elephant print. I love Tinker Hatfield for that shoe. I love Michael Jordan. Excellent player.
You must be pretty stoked about the re-release of the black cements in Nov - are you reaching out to Jordan, now that they have Va$htie with her JII... this could be your opportunity! What would you do if you had the chance?
Haha! Vashtie did her thing with that lavender/purple colourway. I know for a fact that she is all about that Jordan III though. I love monochromatic colourways. That's why I wasn't mad at Vashtie for doing the lavender colour all around that JII. When I hit Mercer 21 it is going DOWN on the monochromatic tip. You are always gonna see a big block of solid red a block away before you see six colour shoe, you feel me? So it would probably be a monochromatic situation. I don't know yet, I need to meet Frank the Butcher and get his thoughts because that man is hella sick with the colourways - them Kennedys New Balance... GOOD LORD!
What do you hope to achieve for female sneaker freakers? You're certainly putting a new spin on the game for ladies the world over!
Honestly, that it is okay to be yourself. I have been a tomboy my whole life, and had to face a lot of negative energy and remarks from people as a kid, because they wanted me to be ‘girly girl'. At one point I was made to feel ashamed of being me, but I got over that with time, and now it has actually been one of my biggest assets in the creative realm of things. My visuals for "Got To Get It" is my statement to let you know it's ok to bask in your uniqueness, affinities, and have fun with who you are. I had so much fun doing that video, because I did me. I did me straight up.
Are you still looking to ‘out do' everyone with this impressive crate of kicks?
I didn't have hella kicks growing up, so when you get some money and you can afford to cop everything, you may wanna ‘one up' people at times. Especially to the fools that were talking a lot of shit back in the day, because you didn't have that Jordan or that Tiffany SB Dunk, or Pigeon...
Yeah, it seems to be such an American thing, especially in street culture, to outdo the next person. Down Under we're more concerned about quality over quantity, and that type of showmanship is often frowned upon. How competitive is it not only in the music biz but also in the sneaker game over there?
It is very competitive. People will always go HAM to be ‘first' or to get ‘on'. The music game is a whole bunch of crabs in a barrel straight up! My understanding is you just make music for the people. I think when it is your turn, it is your turn, however, you have to ‘make' it your turn. Don't look for someone to put you on, put yourself on. In terms of buying kicks, I like what I like. I do not care if it's on Hypebeast, getting hyped up hella more. I have to like it.
How do you keep your sanity?!
Prayer, ha! I have a level head regarding where I am at with my collection. I do not rush out to get everything that drops. I have a few keys shoes on the list that I target and cop.
Not since the Fugees have we seen such a strong female front woman presence when it comes to hip hop groups! Where do you see you guys going in the future - what's coming up?
Aww thank you! The Honor Roll Crew is on the move. We are only going up now. I have a mixtape, EP, and then an album dropping all within the remainder of the year. Plus hella more videos and random music dropping weekly to follow up after the ‘Got To Get It' video. Trackademicks just released his State Of the Arts project in Jan 2011 with a limited book to accompany the music. 1-O.A.K. was just featured on a Teedra Moses mixtape in July 2011 - he has an album droppin within the next month or so. Mike Baker ‘The Bike Maker' just dropped a mixtape a few months ago called ‘Body of Work' with a follow up album dropping in a month or so. SpankPops just dropped new visuals for his ‘WonderFul Music' and he will follow up with another project of remixes from his EP, in a month or so. And last but definitely not least, DJ Tap 10 is busy getting his Champagne Soul mixtape ready to drop!
Anything else you'd like to spread to our readers?
Follow up with me on twitter @josiestingray, you can also hit up my tumblr: josiestingray.tumblr.com or website josiestingray.com to learn about me and peep some music. I am on facebook.com/josiestingray or you can come check out my photos on instagram and see how I am living.
Check out the crew at the honorrollcew.com for all updates on what we are all up too.
