SALEEMA

ONE WOMAN ONE GUITAR

 

 

Saleema is the recent 1st place winner March 28, 2010 at The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program (nyc). Saleema is a rare talent born in Newark NJ. Her One Women One Guitar routine is reminiscent of another Newark Native (Lauren Hill). Saleema majored in guitar and has won awards at The Symphony Hall and Bloomfield College. Her style infuses lyrics and song with the accompaniment of her guitar. We catch up with Saleema to discuss the comparisons to Lauren Hill and the resurrection of women in Hip Hop.

 

N.A.B.:  Congratulations on your recent placement at The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program (nyc). The crowd at The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program is a hard crowd to impress. You went up there with no CD, just your guitar and had the entire crowd rocking with you. How hard or is it hard to have such a different rap style and be accepted by

You’re peers?

Saleema: It’s not hard at all but a great challenge to conquer, They see me there eyebrows raise with questions once I perform they tell me I’ve touched there souls. My peers embrace me from the hardcore rappers to R&B listeners to rock/alternative listeners i grab there attention.

N.A.B.: You have very positive, uplifting music. Talk to me about the message in your music.

Saleema: I write about Real life experiences what I see when I look at the world. All races and regions I invite into my songs when i write. I make sure my message is universal music as no box yet a open forum for the world.

 

N.A.B.: You have a different image than your average female rapper. If Ditty wanted to sign you to Bad Boy Records, but the only speculation would be to change your image to appeal to the masses. Would you sign to Bad Boy records? 

Saleema: Hell NO!!! I am me, tee shirt, some times a tie, Tatts, slightly loose jeans that’s me Period! Not up for a discussion. So who diddy? I’m sure once he felt my music he would say hey the look stays as well lol.

N.A.B.:  I know you study poetry and have some material published. I know you majored in Guitar. But tell me more about your vocals. Where did you learn to sing? And do you prefer one over the other?

Saleema: Sing!!! Ha Ha that’s funny my singing just comes from my heart my soul does the work I just deliver. I don’t really consider myself a singer. My poetry and my singing are gifts from above I began writing when I was five. Singing and poetry go together like water in a river. There equal in my eyes.

N.A.B.: Who are some of your inspirations? And who do you look forward to collaborating with in the near future?

Saleema: Tupac, Jill Scott, Floetry, Third Eye Blind, John Mayer, Jimmy Hendricks and Tracey Chapman are my inspirations. I would love to collaborate with John Mayer and Floetry

N.A.B.:  Where can we listen to some of your music and can we download or purchase any music yet?

 

 

 

 

 

Saleema: You can listen to some of my music on myspace www.myspace.com/saleema85 and my music will be up for purchase within a few months

N.A.B.:  Last words or shout outs?

Saleema: Saleema raw music in its purest form, I come to cleanse your soul. Look out for me! For the musician on the rise stay true to yourselves and to the music lovers let change into your hearts there is still real music out there. Shout out to A.D. The General , N.A.N, N.A.B & the entire E.H.M.P staff.

 

Written by:

A.D. The General and Ms Fefe (N.A.B)