“Roxanne’s Revenge”: From Hip-Hop Pioneer to Ph.D.

BY Sarah Hernandez, August 25, 2009

As reported on in the NY Daily News

In 1984 she paved the road for females in hip-hop when she moved over 250,000 units of her hit single “Roxanne’s Revenge” in the New York City area alone.   Now some twenty-five years later, be sure to address this trailblazer as Dr. Roxanne Shante.  Going from rap star to Ivy League educated Ph.D. but, what makes this story even more noteworthy is how Dr. Shante financed it.

Hailing from the Queensbridge South Houses, not only did Shante record her hit record at the age of 14, but she also had her first child.  Two albums later, the disenchanted single mother found herself a victim of the music industry’s empty promises.  Discovering that her recording contract with Warner Music had an ‘education for life’ provision, she sought out to make it happen.   Getting the label to actually part with the funds, *cough* $217,000 *cough*, was a battle in and of itself.  However, after remaining steadfast and threatening to share her story with the press, the label eventually agreed to make good on the provision and fund her education.

In 2001, Shante earned her Doctorate in Psychology from Cornell University and now runs her own mental health practice geared toward the urban community.  She uses an innovative approach that incorporates elements of hip-hop to help her clients release baggage that they are usually not inclined to share.

To further inspire the next generation of musical innovators, Dr. Shante offers college scholarships to female emcees, in collaboration with the Hip Hop Association, a nonprofit.  Denominations of $5,000 are awarded each semester.

Additionally, you can catch Roxanne performing through out the country from time to time. Follow her on twitter to stay properly apprised (http://twitter.com /drshante).

And if you don’t know, be sure to catch up on your hip-hop history; stream Dr. Roxanne Shante’s “Roxanne’s Revenge” here.

Sidebar: “Roxanne’s Revenge” ranked as No. 42 in VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs (2008).

Source: nydailynews.com

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1 Comment »

1. 

   Maybe its all a sham???? Roxanne say it ain’t so!!!
   http://www.slate.com/id/2227090

   Comment by Ebenezer Bond — September 2, 2009 @ 9:00 pm

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