What band do you play for?: The Cruddy Crankerz
Position in GoGo: Record label owner, Lyricist, Vocalist, Bassist, Saxophonist, Producer, Songwriter
How long have you been supporting Go-Go music?: 35 years
What do you think makes GoGo music unique?: Go-Go is the indigenous sound of the Nacocthank territory of what is now known as DC. We put the swang in swing. We have the ability to take any genre of music and mesh it with the sound of Chocolate City.
What was your first experience with GoGo music?: My first stage experience with a band was in 1990. I was a 14 with a girl band called Klixx I performed 1 show with them at Barnetts and was immediately picked up by Petworth. GoGo Lorenzo was the talker and I was the rapper.
Who are your musical influences? What or who inspires you?: I am a musical sponge. My mom was my first inspiration. She sings opera. My dad was a singer, band director and choir director. I have absorbed so many artists in different genres. Young and old. I’m inspired more by the word no than anything. Don’t tell me what I can’t do cause I’m gonna show you I can do whatever whenever. I love the challenge.
What has been your favorite performance so far?: Club 9:30 Feb 2013 DC Scorpio asked us to perform with him on the Funk/Punk Extravaganza. It was a sold out tribute concert/ documentary for the Legend of Cool Disco Dan.
What is the most difficult thing about being a woman in GoGo?: Being dismissed. Some men won’t do business with me because I’m married. They tell me they have to get permission from my husband before talking to me. Tons of beneficial ideas and suggestions get ignored because it wasn’t said by the right person. The circle of opportunities is tighter than my coochie. I’ve watch women sleep with guys to be apart of a band. The phrase let’s sign a contract makes them look at you funny. Like who are you to ask for money, a contract, or even a gig for that matter. Promoters and club owners always try to find a way to j lower your value. As long as you know what you are worth don’t settle.
What has been your biggest music/GoGo career highlight so far?: Biggest Go-Go highlight so far is being nominated for several Wammies 2 years in a row. 6 nominations in 2022. 2 this year. Releasing the 1st girl supershero song ever! Monica Rambeau may be a marvel comic but we’ve just baptized her in Crudd Rock, which is a sun genre of Go-Go created by The Cruddy Crankerz.
Do you have any advice for aspiring female artists?: Don’t take no do an answer, don’t offer your body for beats. Be creative don’t fall in line with the trend set it. Be aggressive, be prepared, Handle you off stage business before you hop on it. Your crowd will find you.
What is your brand/company if any? (your business or brand): My brand is The Cruddy Crankerz. I own several companies: Beast & Monster Ink
Draztick Measurez Recordz
Drama City Records, Cruddy Rite Publishing
Crudd Wear , The Crudd Store and The Gasville Collection
When you perform and the audience sings along, how does that energy make you feel?: Cruddtastick especially when the fellas know all of the lyrics because it’s rare that guys will recite a woman’s lyrics.
Are any of your songs based on real events or people we might know? If so, can you tell us more about them without giving away too many details about the song itself?: Everything I write is true. We have a song called “Like JuJu” which is a musical biography of his life. City of Drama is about what’s happening No in DC
What do you think is the most significant barrier to female movement?: If we could all just loosen up our bra straps and get to know each other we could be more productive. We are not in competition with each other.