HHDX: “Hip-Hop is Dead” was the popular term being thrown around near the end of 2006. As a fan of hip-hop, what do you think 2007 holds for the game?

JS: To be quite honest, I agree with the phrase. Hip-Hop as it once was… is dead and it’s sad to see. Being a Jersey girl, I love East Coast hip-hop. It all stemmed from New York and I want to see all of these talented artists, who are well known and undiscovered, come and put the East back on the map. No disrespect to the South and other areas of the U.S. who are definitely doing their thing right now, but too much talent is being overlooked. Hip-Hop used to actually have a message. Now it’s so over-saturated that people mention hip-hop and automatically think of the violence, having ice around your neck, getting money, and having sex with fine women are the only messages that are being put out. Personally, I'd like to see a change!

HHDX: I was having a discussion with one of our most recent Beauty & Brains girls and she mentioned that life has something major for us since all of the greats like James Brown, Gerald Levert, and others are passing away. What do you think?

JS: With the fall of all of the greats there will be rising of a new. Of course, nobody can top or even replace these amazing artists. But hopefully in time, we recognize and appreciate the ones who are still around… like Mary J. Blige for example. But it’d be interesting to see if people can also be open-minded to seeing the artists of today pioneer in their own right and go on to becoming the greats, years from now.

HHDX: Do Black women give you any flack about your body?

JS: No, not really. I've actually received emails from many Black women having lot of positive things to say!

HHDX: I’m not going to standardize or stereotype anyone that I don’t know, but where I’m from… some people look down on interracial relationships and have qualms with White women. Do Black men sometimes assume the wrong things about you because of your race?

JS: No… when a man meets and gets to know me, they don't assume the wrong things. An outsider’s point of view might differ, but that's just plain ignorance. Sometimes people need to get off their high horse and accept other preferences. Being Italian and having Italian friends, some look down on interracial relationships and have qualms with Black and/or Hispanic men. So… it does go both ways. As cliché as it sounds, I just wish everyone could just stop being so ignorant and stop taking what's on the outside, make assumptions about others, and create accusations of what's on the inside. Come on, you know… it’s 2007 in America people, wake up! Continued on page 4 »