Artist fights for equality
Desiree Kekana, popularly known as Dezry Kay, has criticised main players in the industry for discriminating against female artists.
LIMPOPO – HIP hop artist Desiree Kekana (23) popularly known as Dezry Kay has criticised main players in the industry for discriminating against female artists in this music genre, adding that big radio stations also don’t support women in hip hop.
The female rapper from Zebediela has organised a female headlined show called Pick a Boy, which is set to take place in Zebediela over the Easter weekend.
She says the main acts will be female artists supported by a few male artists.
Dezry Kay says her show is aimed at demon-strating to people that female rappers are as capable and talented as their male counterparts.
She believes the undermining of female rappers originates from the misconception that the hip hop industry is about masculinity and not femininity.
“We are now organising ourselves as women in music and claiming our positions.
“There are music shows and festivals that never feature female rappers. This has to change. We are just as good,” she says, adding that as a rapper, she has personally dropped off her music at radio stations but the response has not been positive.
Dezry Kay commends local radio stations for their role in playing local hip hop and promoting it. She explains that the experience can at times become confusing and career threatening.
“Many of us drop our music off at radio stations and we perform at a lot of gigs to promote our music.
“I have even been known to gatecrash gigs just to get a chance on stage,” she says.
“All that effort hasn’t seemed to work much and that is why we are now organising our own show to promote and market female rappers.”
Dezry Kay’s new single Light Up the Night is on rotation at Thobela FM including some local radio stations like Sekhukhune FM, Greater Lebowakgomo and Turf FM.
