Meet Pretty Blaq

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pretty Blaq.

Hi Pretty Blaq, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Gardena, CA and moved quite a bit, including to Michigan, before ultimately settling in the Inland Empire, specifically Moreno Valley, CA. I started writing poetry at ten, rapping at 11 and performing spoken word poetry at 15. I began working with artist/producer/engineer Eugene O’neil circa 2017 when I narrated his album with my original poetry; it wasn’t until 2019 that he found out that I rap when I responded to his Facebook post stating that he was looking for a female rapper to work with. I went to his studio and spit a 2-minute freestyle to DJ Premier’s Devil’s Pie instrumental and have been working with Eugene O’neil ever since. I released my debut album, “Bantu Knots” in 2021.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The way my life is set up, I don’t think roads are meant to be smooth. I think my biggest struggle been balancing the challenges of life in general and finding the mental space to be able to thrive creatively, to be able to create art and consistently push out material that I can be proud of. Also as a woman in hip hop, the game can be brutal. With the state of music and social media, literally anyone can become a rap star over night, all it takes is a visually appealing person and you’re one TikTok away from stardom… for me, I’m not 20 years old anymore, I don’t lead with overt sex appeal, my body type is not “ideal” and my lyrical content is more conscience than commercial, so I have those things working against me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Spokenword Poet/Rapper/Hip Hop artist. I think currently what sets me apart is that I really rap, I’m a lyricist, my content, flow and delivery is poetic. I also command the stage naturally because I’ve literally been on stage since I was 1 year old. I’m also not in a box, I rap about a multitude of topics, yet I remain true to self.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Just being happy, family gatherings, being with my mom all day, listening to music, smiling a lot. Stealing my oldest sister’s Lil Kim Hard Core CD and listening to it when I know I wasn’t supposed to. Listening to 2 Pac “All Eyes On Me” albums as a 10-year-old at a slumber party, being bad rapping all the lyrics to “Run the Streets” with my friends, LOL.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/prettyblaqofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=