Queen Key Talks About How She Merges Hip-Hop & Humor [Interview]

Queen Key spoke with Okayplayer about writing raps, her Eat My Pussy EP, and why she decided to cover a Biggie classic.

Queen Key real nameKe'Asha McClure didn't consider gender when she rapped. This is partially why shes so passionate about female empowerment now; shes a true believer that women can really go toe-to-toe with the men.

Back in June, Chicago rapper Queen Key left a statement on the rap game when she released her debut studio projectEat My Pussy,a seven-song EP full of brash, hyper-sexualized raps. The projectfeaturedverses from some of the sharpest rappers in hip-hop, from Tink to Dreezy to King Louie. In those tracks, Key held her own, at times going bar-for-bar with the rappers (like on "Miss 100k," her standout collabo with Cuban Doll).

READ: Bali Baby, Rico Nasty, Princess Nokia & More Are Raps Modern Punk Girls

Even after the release, and the success of the project, Key kept the streets buzzing.A couple of weeks later, Key flippedNicki Minaj's"Barbie Dreams" which is a flip of The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Just Playing (Dreams)" for her own Dreams freestyle. On the track, Queen Key flexes her ability to drop bars with clever wordplay, dropping jokes on contemporary artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Offset, 6ix9ine, and Chief Keef. The song is Queen Key at her finest: funny, outrageous, lyricallydeft.

HEAR: Here Are The Women In Rap Nicki Minaj Says You Should Be Listening To

For the next couple of months, Key will be on tour, opening up for G Herbo and Southside on their Swervo tour. (That tour kicks off on October 16th.)Okayplayer was able to sit down with one of hip-hop's brigest young stars. We spoke to him and talked about her Est My Pussy EP, her hip-hop inspirations, and why she soveredBiggie's"Dreams."

Were you hesitant to call your EPEat My Pussy?

Nah, not really actually. It was kind of a joke. Then I told my manager, and he agreed with me. Im like, Yeah, I knew it was a good idea.

On the intro track, Am I Wrong, you rap, These bitches too dumb and they borin. What sets you apart from these other female rappers?

That right there! These bitches too dumb and they boring, like I said. I try to be nice all the time, but its just being honest. I listen to other peoples music because thats a part of making music, but motherfuckers be dumb and boring. [laughs]

Who are some of your favorite female rappers?

Lauryn Hill, thats my all-time favorite. Also Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim, Trina. They all have an influence on me. I like Left Eye. Every female rapper that made it really. I respect them.

Does that mean youre team Nicki, versus Cardi B?

Im team me. I dont think they should be beefing though. Thats not really showing other female artists a good sign. Its a truck load of new female artists, so its like there is no room for no beef. Might as well kumbaya in this motherfucker.

You have collaborated with Dreezy, Tink, and Cuban Doll on the project. Talk about who you choose to collab with and why?

I pretty much collab with the artists whose music that I honestly like, and we have a relationship. So we cool, and I fuck with your artistry. Thats really what E.M.P was about as far as my features and collabs.

Did you feel intimidated at all coming up as a female in the Chicago rap scene?

No, not at all. Its so crazy because until I started doing this, I didnt even know that was a thing. I didnt know that was a big deal. I didnt know the spotlight was the fact that Im a female.

Chi-town is home to some legendary rappers, who are some of the artists you grew up to?

Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj. Really every artist that was poppin who had their little run. I definitely was a radio listener, so I listened to all of that. Everybody, Chief Keef, everybody. Especially the young people who made it and made something out of themselves, definitely them.

I was surprised to find Juice WRLD was from there.

Yeah, me and him actually went to the same high school. Its in the South suburbs, its called Homewood-Flossmoor High School. I didnt actually know him then. I feel like its really special because a lot of people came from there. Rockie Fresh, me, Juice WRLD, thats already three people right there. Its pretty cool.

What was the first rap song you ever listened to?

I have no idea. I know the first rap song I made. I couldnt decide if it was called Freaky or Freak Me.But its a song I made at the end of high school when I was graduating. I actually sat down with the producer and we made the beattogether.

You started rapping at seven, right?

Yeah, thats when me and my brother made our first mixtape.

Was that always the dream or goal?

I always said I wanted to be an actress, and I still am. Im still going to act a lot, period. I always used to say an actress, but I always knew how to do music though.

Your Dreams freestyle has you calling out all the rappers. Can you talk about making this record?

It was super unexpected because I was just in the studio. Im just sitting there, I probably had two hours left or something. I was babysitting my nephew and all types of shit. I brought him to the studio with me. Im like fuck it.

How old is he?

Hes like three.

And you made that hard ass record with your nephew in the studio!

Yeah, I think he was laughing. Towards the end, he fell asleep. I was just thinking, Hmmm, what should I do? Because I kind of had free time. I didnt have anything that was already written, so Im like, Im going to make some new shit. Then Im like, Hmmm, maybe I should do a Dreams. Thatll be fun. Because I studied the culture of that song. Im like, Hell yeah, thats fun. I get to talk about rappers and shit, and how I fucked them. [laughs]

Can you talk about your sense of humor and how that plays into your music?

It plays a big role in my music, simply because its my personality. My music is my personality, period. Its my whole entire mood. When I say something funny, its like it gasses myself up. Its almost an inspiration to myself because Im like, Damn, Im able to really say how I feel and what I have to say, and its still funny. Its still light-hearted.

What is your take on the music industry?

Its crazy than a motherfucker. [laughs] But you know what? At the end of the day, its not crazier than me, so I aint worried about it. Im still learning. Im still climbing.

How have you adjusted to fame? Are people treating you differently?

Honestly, my whole life, people either dont know how to treat me or treat me differently regardless though. I either get special treatment or a motherfucker dont know no better. I adjusted to it pretty well I feel. Theres never been a moment where I havent acted natural. It was just already set in stone. I kind of adapted so fucking fast.

Whats the best part of a being an artist?

The best part is to be able to be a help. To be able to put out good to people, to be a good person. I feel like thats the best part of being an artist, just all the good shit you can do.

What advice do you have for an aspiring Queen Key?

The first thing I have to say is, there is only one Queen Key. So whatever you do, do not try to be that bitch. The second thing I have to say is, believe in yourself at all times. Dont ever stop, and youre going to be alright. God first and youre good.

__