TRANSVOCALIZERS — Foxxjazell

The transgender music community has been represented in the rap/hip-hop genre’ quite well by artists such as Katrastrophe and Joshua Klipp.  Both these guys have been very active in the genre’ and both of them  have been featured in TGForum in the past.

It was just a matter of time before a transwoman with something to say and the stones to climb on stage and take her rightful place in front of an audience showed up.

TGForum is proud to introduce Foxxjazell to our readers.  She has just released her second album, Boy, Girl, Whateva, which is the followup to 2008’s Introducing Foxxjazell… She describes the new album as more hip-pop than hip-hop.  Split Enz, the first single from the project, and it’s accompanying video, are out now.  A review of Boy, Girl, Whateva will be featured in next month’s column.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she graduated high school with honors at age 17 and moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue acting.  Instead of letting the frustration that Hollywood hand to newcomers get to her, she hooked up with Maurice Tito Lopez and formed the group One20Five.  They had regional success, but disbanded in 2004.  At that time, Foxxjazell started to take her solo work seriously and the resulting hard work and perseverance has paid off.

She has performed as an opening act on the Homorevolution 2007 tour, and the Pretty Thugs Tour.  She signed with her record label, FKJ Records, shorty thereafter.  She has also appeared on MTV, LOGO, Fuse, Qtube, HereTV and was a guest on the Tyra Banks Show. Foxxjazell has also been on the cover of XXII, In,  and Clik magazines.

Foxxjazell has been gracious enough to submit to the Transvocalizer interview process, and we believe you’ll find this artists to be  fascinating.

TGForum: You’re originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and according to your bio, you started dealing with your gender issues while still in high school.  What was that like for you and where do you consider yourself to be on the gender spectrum?

Foxxjazell: Yes, I’m a southern girl at heart.  I consider myself to be two-spirited.  I don’t really like the word “pre-op” because it gives out the perception that I will eventually have the SRS, which I have no desire or plans to do so.

TGF: I’m curious about the name, Foxxjazell.

Foxxjazell: I identify with the fox ‘cuz it’s a loner, yet it is able to survive independently despite the odds.

TGF: Musically, you list your earliest influences as Salt-N-Pepa, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.  Later, you moved towards hip-hop and rap.  What brought about the move from mainstream pop influences to rap?   And, what are your influences now?

Foxxjazell: I felt that rap  had a deeper meaning and struggle as an art form than mainstream pop so I easily identified with it.  My influences range from Elvis to Bassment Jaxx right now.

TGF: Any formal training? Do you play any instruments?

Foxxjazell: Yes, I occasionally play drums and I”m learning guitar.  It’s good to educate yourself with every instrument possible.

TGF: Your original intention in going to the L.A./Hollywood area right after high school was to pursue acting.  It that something you’d still like to take a shot at?

Foxxjazell: Not anytime soon.  The only immediate roles for transwomen now are streetwalkers or over the top characters with comedic undertones.  Hollywood likes to give the good trans roles to genetic women.  Transamerica is a good example of that.

TGF: If you don’t mind, talk a bit about your work with the group One20Five.  Was this a positive or negative experience for you?  And, would you ever want to put another group together, or join an existing group?

Foxxjazell: One20Five was my first real introduction to the hip-hop world.  We would perform all over Los Angeles and we even had a song, Weekend, that got a few spins on the radio.  It was a positive experience until people started to question what my gender was.  That’s when I realized that no matter how good you may be or even if you want the focus to just be on the music, you can’t hide who you are in hip-hop.  No, I would not join another group.  There is no need for me to repeat the past.

TGF: There’s a great quote from one of your magazine interviews: “Hip-hop isn’t a gay friendly genre, and female MCs are becoming extinct.” I can’t imagine what kind of negativity you’ve had to face.  What kind of reactions do you get and what were the initial reactions when fans and industry people learned of your trans status?

Foxxjazell: Most people can’t accept the trans status no matter if they are gay or straight.  Society doesn’t have an acceptable tolerance level for trans performers as of now.

TGF: What type of venues do you perform at?

Foxxjazell: I mostly perform in GLBT and dance venues since my music is primarily dance/hip-hop.

TGF: There’s also another interesting item I found in another magazine interview.  You had a very negative moment when a record label said they didn’t regard you as “marketable” after they found out you’re trans.  Working with your current label, FKJ Records, must be a breath of fresh air.  How hard was it to find a label that understood you?

Foxxjazell: Being marketed to mainstream audiences takes lots of time and money.  Unfortunately, FKJ Records is limited with funds, being an indie label.  But I enjoy being part of a label that allows me to be myself.  Overall in this day and age, it’s extremely hard to get a major label behind a trans hip-hop artist unless there is a mainstream artist that will cosign.

TGF: Trying to go mainstream in the very macho, homophobic world of hip-hop must be extremely difficult.  Have you faced any real, upfront, in-your-face homophobia and/or hatred?  If so, how do you handle it?

Foxxjazell: Yes, all the time.  It comes with the job.  I keep a strong sense of spirit and self esteem which can be very hard when you have so many people who can’t comprehend your purpose beyond sexual.  I feel that I’m ahead of my time and I probably won’t be understood of appreciated until I’m dead and gone, like Tupac Shakur.

TGF: Overall, how political are you?  Involved in any GLBT politics?

Foxxjazell: I stand for human and animal rights. Period.

TGF: If you had one thing to say to the transgender community as a whole, what would it be?

Foxxjazell: We need to support each other because there is too much division, envy, and competition within the community.  Life is not a competition!  It’s about living your best life and inspiring others through a place of love.

TGF: What kind of advice would you offer to any musician, singer/songwriter, or rapper such as yourself, who is just starting out?

Foxxjazell: If you’re really serious, pursue it, but know that the music industry is in a bad place right now, and expect to finance your own dream if you want to be taken seriously.

TGF: Any future plans, upcoming projects, etc., that you can talk about at this time?

Foxxjazell: I recently released my third single, Hookup (Off the hook remix), featuring the fellow trans artist/producer Ashley Breathe.  The music video is currently on YouTube. Also, the Hookup dance mixes are available for download.

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TGF: In closing, anything you’d really like to say?

Foxxjazell: My album, Boy, Girl, Whateva is available on iTunes as well, and I’m in talks about going on  tour this spring to promote the album so please support sista and get the album.  Thanks, and lots of love and positive energy!

Check out Foxxjazell’s website. Her albums are available on Amazon.com and Metacafe.com.  She also has quite a presence on MySpace and Facebook.  There is a video of her performing with Joshua Klipp, mentioned earlier, that can be seen on Youtube, as well as dozens of other video clips.

ALSO THIS MONTH

Received a promotional copy of Jessi J’s Do It Like A Dude remix disc.  The song is taken from her debut album, Who You Are.  Jessi has gained a lot of recognition as a song writer and her debut project is the culmination of years of work.  Very good dance remixes.

iSquare, from Los Angeles, have released their first major label single, Hey Sexy Lady, via the Pentagon/Bad Boy/Interscope group.  The group is comprised of Mike J. Destiny, Briddy, and 10Beats.  More very good dance grooves.

And lastly, but not in the least, I want to mention the new project by Adele, entitled 21.  This has nothing to do what transgendered artists or music and it’s not a dance project.  But I really like this project and her voice and vocal intensity remind me of k.d. lang.  She does a great cover version of Love Song by The Cure.  Excellent stuff here.

Tags: featured

Category: Music