Shuguh Bair
www.myspace.com/tdrecordsindie
(New York, USA)

LHH:  Welcome to the site! See you’re representing New York. How is life in your hood?

SB:  Everything’s cool you know. I'm blessed so I can't complain.

LHH:  When did you begin rapping? Were you male or female when you began your career?

SB:  Haha. Well I started rapping when I was 8 I believe I might have been nine. I was in group called NDL. With two of my closest friends at the time Danielle (R.I.P.)and Lasaun. Yeah nothing major we just enjoyed it. I began rapping as a female.

LHH:  What prompted you to change your sex? How would you classify your sexuality (straight male, etc.)

SB:  I am a Transitional Male. Yeah I would say I consider myself straight. But I don't limit myself to just straight women. I mean I always wanted to be a boy. I remember praying as a kid that I would turn into a boy some how. I initially was a lesbian stud, but it wasn’t fulfilling for me because I was still being identified as a woman. I wanted to be a boy. A friend of mine brought it to my attention because he was in transition. We would talk about him and the more research I did the more I realized this was me. This was the beginning of my transgender ride.

LHH:  How have you been received as a transsexual rapper? Why are you so open about your sexuality?

SB:  Well I’m not transsexual just yet.  Lol. I'm transgender. I'm getting great responses. I’m open because I don't like to deceive people. This is me. I was born a female but I want to be identified as the male I am. I’m proud of who I am.

LHH:  Which rapper has inspired you and why?

SB:  I have always been a Da Brat fan.  She's unique man. I really like Nas and his musical brilliance. They've just inspired me to be me do me, be unique, and not give a fuck about what people say.

LHH:  What hopes do you have for your future? How will you achieve your dreams?

SB:  I have hopes of making it big. Hard work always pays off well for me.  It does. 

LHH:  What do you feel is your biggest obstacle to overcome?

SB:  Honestly, I don't have one. I take everything one day at a time and when you do this there are only small problems.

LHH:  How has your family responded to your lifestyle?

SB:  My family are the most supportive people in the world. My mom she just goes with the flow. They love me regardless.

LHH:  Is hip hop dead? What's good about hip hop? What's not so good?

SB:  Hip hop isn't dead. I just think some people need to sit down. The world is so afraid of change they won't allow a hiphop difference into the mainstream. A hip hop difference that would make a difference. The best thing about hip hop is the lgbt community. We bringing hip hop back to its roots. What's so bad is the simplicity of mainstream hip hop artists. All they have to do is bite someone else’s rhymes, say a mother goose line, and be the hottest rapper out there.

LHH:  Why do you feel the gay community sometimes discriminates against the transsexual community?

SB:  I don't even want to categorize the entire gay community.  It's a select group who discriminate simply because they’re insecure. They deal with ridicule all the time now they need a pawn. I mean I still get a females like you do (lesbians), but I made some adjustments to myself so I could be happy. Real talk. Gay men have yet to hate.  It's been mostly lesbians. Not all lesbians because a lot of lesbians are supportive. It’s the other ones.  You know who you are.

LHH:  Pick Up the Mic is one of few media outlets that has documented trans rappers. What do you think can be done to bring more light to trans rappers around the world?

SB:  I mean let us out the box. The thing is a lot of trans people do not want anyone to know.  MTF are a little better with being out in the open than FTM. I mean all we can do is set a precedent. If a tranny person has talent and doesn't want to speak upon their change in sex they can always be who they are. A male or a female. Take me for example, if I wanted to keep my sex change on the low I would just be a male rapper.

LHH:  Describe your soul mate. 

SB:  Lol.  They’re all for me. No, I'm kidding. Personality, smart, fun, loyal, opinionated yet understanding, must have sex appeal. I'm a grown man.  I don't want just cute. Someone who has my back and understands everything about me. Someone who can get the pronouns right. Big booty doesn't hurt.  Lol.

LHH:  Can hip hop ever recover the shine it once had?

SB:  Of course it can.  Stop selling garbage. Let that unsigned talent give you a signature. Hip hop doesn't have a lot of diversity. You need to appeal to different people.

LHH:  What has been the highlight of your recording career so far?

SB:   Man I’m just getting started. But I would have to say the people I’ve been introduced to. The opportunities that I’m getting like this.

LHH:  How would you describe your rhyming style?

SB:  I'm me. Depending on the way I write the song that can change my rhyming style. I would say for the most part it's cocky, swift, to the point, and holds no punches.

LHH:  If you could work with any producer, who would it be?

SB:  Wow. Definitely Jermaine Dupri, T.Pain, Lil Jon, Irv Gotti, Kanye, Man anyone I could.

LHH:  In your opinion, how has hip hop changed the most? People used to rhyme about school, kicks, girls respectfully. Old school hip hop was great but this new shit is no hold bar.

LHH:  Do you feel the South is taking shine away from New York? Does New York deserve to be at the top of the hip hop game?

SB:  Of course the south is having fun. Their artists are stars way before we hear anything about it. I love the south swagga - I'm from the south. I mean for what? Yeah we grind New York but if someone’s doing it better we gotta earn that place up at the top not have it cuz its there.

LHH:  How can fans learn more about your career and music?

SB:  Aww man. Fans can definitely hit my myspace page up at http://www.myspace.com/tdrecordsindie. I'm going to try to keep it updated for ya'll.

LHH:  Any shoutouts?

SB:  Miss Money I gotta thank you first for the opportunity. Andrea I love you. Erica and Genesis my two sisters. My sister Angela for supporting me. Drew and Corie my homie for life my go 2 guys. My Family my mom, my brother Adrian There's your shout out boo lol. Bone Intell dats my dude They not ready B and Sonny. I'm trying not to forget any one. FTM brothers ride wit me.