SELF EXPLANATORY: Pretty Bulli
INTERVIEW INNOCENT? PHOTO Rasheed Jones
VALIDATED: Being from Buffalo, New York, what’s your earliest memory of Hip Hop culture?
PRETTY BULLI: When I was younger I used to take my brothers Walkman, since I didn’t have my own. At the time he was listening to Kwame’s “Ownlee Eue”. That is one of my earliest memories of when I first heard Hip Hop as well as hearing the guys on my block spitting.
VALIDATED: How did you get your start as an MC?
PRETTY BULLI: I Actually started writing poems first, but I never let anyone know about it. I was always shy as a kid. Once I started being around the guys in the neighborhood more, my confidence began to grow. I wrote my first rap to a beat when I was 13. No hook, just spitting. I didn't know how to count bars at the time, so that was a pretty long verse.
VALIDATED: Which MC’s influenced your style and what if anything did you borrow from them?
PRETTY BULLI: Coming up Wu Tang and The Lox were always my favorite groups. The fact that I love bar work, Eve, Jay Z, Nas, Big and Pac were my top picks. These artists have messages in their music, actual content opposed to just putting words to a beat. That is a jewel that I took from all of them. They definitely had a huge influence on how I approach, write and hear music till this day. Bars matter!
VALIDATED: What’s the story behind your rap name?
PRETTY BULLI: It was actually said to me as a joke some years ago, and I liked it. I'm a bully in the booth but I take pride in my appearance as well. A lot of women lose their identity in this game. We are competing in a male dominated industry, which means we have to come just as hard if not harder than men to be noticed, or overly sexualized in our appearance. I'm not taking that route. I'd rather stay true to myself. It's ok to have a pretty face with bulldog work ethics. Pretty Bulli is not just my name, it's my lifestyle.
VALIDATED: Do you find it difficult to separate music life from your personal life?
PRETTY BULLI: The fact that I actually write about my life, separation is not really possible. It does make it difficult, because of the transparency in my music people believe that they know me. I put all my emotions on wax, those emotions can be perceived differently depending on the recipient.
VALIDATED: Why do you think there’s so few lyrical female MCs promoted in the music industry?
PRETTY BULLI: There was a time when that wasn't the case. When lyrics mattered and selling sex wasn’t the main goal, plenty of ladies were promoted. Once being overly sexualized became the new trend, that's all people wanted to see. I feel a change coming though.
VALIDATED: Recently you dropped the visual for your “Homage” record produced by Kidd Called Quest, paying respect to several lyrical female MC’s that helped pave the way. What’s been the response to the video?
PRETTY BULLI: The feedback has been amazing since the release. I am so grateful for all the love the I’ve been receiving from it.
VALIDATED: Would you prefer to remain underground and independent or signed to a major label and mainstream? As an artist how important is freedom of expression and maintaining control of your creativity?
PRETTY BULLI: To an artist, freedom is everything when it comes to creativity. I can't fully express myself if my moves are being dictated. I choose my independence, so if that means staying underground, then so be it.
VALIDATED: What’s next for Pretty Bulli?
PRETTY BULLI: I’m working on a few projects right now. Next to be released is the EP that I'm doing with Kidd Called Quest. “Homage” was the first single dropped. We will probably drop one more single before releasing the project.
VALIDATED: Where and how can the readers support you and your music?
PRETTY BULLI: My latest EP “Duffel Bag Bulli” with Castle Money Beats is available now on all major streaming platforms. My latest single “Homage” with Kidd Called Quest is also available now everywhere. Please download and you can lock in with me on Instagram @pretty_bulli.