We continue this “Real Talk” series of Pinays at the Forefront with a modern day revolutionary, Krishtine de Leon.
Ms. Krish, previously known as EyeASage, now known as Rocky Rivera, is a Pilipina American armed with the lethal, fighting words we wish we could express ourselves--the same words we hope could effectively shape and change the mindsets of a new generation of Pinays.
As a journalist, Ms. Krish continues to make a name for herself through her editorial work in the music industry and through her ongoing work for the community. Dropping her debut album earlier this year, Rocky Rivera, as the female emcee, has set herself up as the voice for Pilipinas everywhere. Continually challenging her world around her and raising social awareness, we need her now, more than ever.
Who else can we rely on to speak up for us?
This is Krishtine de Leon, in her own words:
1) Who did you look up to when you were growing up and why?
As a young girl, I looked up to the pioneering lady MCs of Hip Hop's Golden Age: Latifah, Lyte, L-Boogie, Yo-Yo, Monie Love, Salt n Pepa and reference them in much of my songs. I truly feel blessed to have physically witnessed their impact on the world because the young women of today are really lacking in that positive female representation in the mainstream. I saw that their skill was valued just as much as their male counterparts, and while their styles were aggressive, they never failed to embrace their femininity and sexuality.
2) What were some of the issues /obstacles/challenges that you faced while growing up? How did you overcome them?
Young Rocky
I think that the lack of representation of my own community in Hip Hop, Pinays more specifically, impeded my confidence that I could really do this as a teen growing up. When white is "right" and black is "beautiful", where do we fit in? Plus, I come from nothing, so I literally had to make something out of nothing and prove that I wouldn't be another sad public school statistic. While I would have loved music lessons and summer trips to the motherland, all I had were the books my father insisted I read, and a pad and pen, things that were certainly cheaper and more accessible. Despite my struggles with identity and lack of resources or inspiration, I never stopped writing. That's how I overcame everything.
3) What is your life's dream? What are you currently pursuing in life?
My life's dream is to show young people that we must not accept the circumstances that were given to us at birth, and strive to make not only ourselves better, but the rest of our community as well. Even now, I get messages from former students of Balboa High in SF saying that they can't believe I walked through the same halls and it makes their dreams seem that much closer. That in itself is enough to make me happy about my accomplishments thus far, but it's still not enough for me. There are still millions of women in the Philippines that have to sell their bodies to feed their family. There are still young girls in Afghanistan & Pakistan being burned by acid or stoned for wanting their freedom. There are young women who think that sex is the only way to get attention from the opposite sex. And there are still Pinays that believe that blonde hair, blue eyes, marrying a white man, and shunning their culture will gain them acceptance. My work will never be complete until all of that stops, and I encourage all of my fans and supporters to help me achieve that liberation for us all. I can't do it alone.
4) What do you have to say to the youth now? What is your special message to them?
I urge them to learn about themselves, learn about the collective histories of struggle that we all face together and be brave enough to make that change first within themselves, and then to the rest of the world. Don't be fatalistic. Things can change if you want them to, but it takes courage to continue the fight that our parents and grandparents made to break free from the slavery of colonial mentality. We as Pilipinos should not be ashamed of our history, we should be proud. We did not lay down easily. Let's never forget that. Now more than ever, we need to remind ourselves.
Rocky Rivera will be performing today at SIPA’s Freestyle Fridays Open Mic.
SIPA COMMUNITY CENTER
3200 W. Temple Street
Historic Pilipinotown, LA
Save the Date! The "Trick Habit" Music Video Los Angeles Premiere is September 9th (FPAC Weekend). The San Francisco Release will be on September 16th. See it before everyone else!
Upcoming performances:
September 11, 2010; FPAC in San Pedro, CA
October 7-9, 2010 A3C Perfect Attendance Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta, GA
