Our Conversation with The First Lady of the West Coast, Suga-T
Suga-T Stevens is admired as “The First Lady” of The Royal Family of Rap, Vallejo, California’s own, The Click. Comprised of her brothers, E-40 and D-Shot, alongside cousin B-Legit, and of course Suga-T, the self-proclaimed biggest selling West Coast female Hip-Hop artist to date. This renaissance woman is a thirty year veteran that has paved the way for many, many femcees that have arrived in her wake. Suga has definitely beat the odds in a male dominated industry.
At one point, she sacrificed her career in entertainment to return to school and ultimately complete her Master’s Degree. The graduate degree stands as a major accomplishment along with a variety of other impressive credentials.
Additionally, Suga-T is a multi-talented songwriter, producer and singer, having explored a variety of genres, including blues, gospel, jazz, EDM and pop. This savvy social entrepreneur has a passion for helping broken souls, and currently works as a life coach, author, speaker, advocate, mentor, performer, actress, spiritual comforter and TV/music producer.
Suga-T presently holds a Guinness friendly record for the biggest brother and sister multi-platinum rap duet ever in history with their signature smash hit collaboration, “Sprinkle Me,” all the while continuing to carve her historical stamp in music, business and community, while still finding the time to help a plethora of others “BOSS Up” along the way…
We caught up with Suga for an exclusive conversation to talk about her new music and much more.
Parlé Mag: Let’s hop right into this long overdue brand new EP, Greatness. Tell me, conceptually, what that title represents to you?
Suga-T: My experiences and choices to have more balance in my life and career led me to a place where my abilities were questioned. In those times of questionings, consequences and challenges came about. I was underrated, underestimated, rejected and misjudged. Although I had built a whole enterprise and made accomplishments that were not just for myself, but that were for the community, my children and a storing up of more wisdom to bring to the music game. The many narrow minded entities and people could not vision what else a person like myself could be doing, besides being on stage or waiting for my brother to put me out. During this time, I had to keep looking at those elements that I grew and continued telling myself that I was great in spite of what those that really didn’t understand what the road that I chose consisted of. It was pretty disappointing to see a lot of the ignorance behind that mindset because some didn’t even take the time to try to understand, which caused them to really miss out on a side of me that could have been very beneficial for them as well.
Parlé Mag: How does Greatness differ from previous Suga-T efforts?
Suga-T: Greatness is different because it is not only a more current presentation, but it allows me to tell many stories from many perspectives and it reminds me of how much of a great producer that I am. I also know that my fans and followers will like it, because it expresses a form of life and newness to the Hip Hop game. It is surely needed.
Parlé Mag: That being said, what actually prompted your decision to wait so long in between projects?
Suga-T: Actually, I don’t wait long in between projects, I enjoy doing other things also besides music. I am a producer visionary, so I have many ideas and visions that must be implemented and positioned to get out of my system. It is a healthy way for me to live my life. I run my social enterprise that consists of various divisions that can be found at www.thesugarushmovement.com/. I also do lots of soft releases of different types of music besides Hip-Hop. I have done many soft releases and have stayed very current with my music abilities and releases. I don’t care if I reach five people or 5 million people. I write songs for others, soundtracks, licensing, products and more, and I do a lot of TV producing of various forms of TV projects; such as videos, TV shows. I have also gotten into managing producers, which I recently brought one in named Biggie. Recently I added another division called PUSH Network, which unites and empowers women in and around Hip-Hop, community, technology and entrepreneurship. I think that it will inspire females in male dominated industries, and encourage females to push other females while providing them a safe platform to develop and present their gifts and talents. I also am a book writer and coach that wrote many books for myself and others. My site, www.beaboutit.biz gives more information on that division.
Parlé Mag: Speaking of which, talk to me about your latest book, BOSS UP?
Suga-T: BOSS Up is an entrepreneurship empowerment book…you can find all of my products in the Shop Sprinkle Me Store Online at www.sprinkleme.biz. I am really into the wellness of the myself, along with the people, and writing books soothes my soul for the purpose of soothing others. I spend a lot of time motivationally speaking as well.
Parlé Mag: Reflecting, how did you first discover your musical talent?
Suga-T: I discovered my music talent in church. From the day I could walk and talk, I grew up in my grandparents church, Unity Church of God and Christ, and I just so happened to be the one that all of my aunts threw in front of the choir to sing. They nurtured my gifts in singing, and they helped me not be ashamed to sing and get in front of people. At that point, my father, who is a musician, would come home and sing and play instruments. Later, my brothers took me in and started giving me the platform, support and inspiration to build on stage and on the microphone. Recently through the years, I have taken my talent to a whole nother level; it seems like God just took my music, creativity, voice and abilities to a place that is unexplainable, but I love it.
Parlé Mag: Who have been your greatest inspirations musically and why?
Suga-T: I apologize, but I am an old school and gospel junkie. They keep my soul balanced. However, my other influences are people like Lauryn Hill, all of the ladies in Hip-Hop, even the new ones, because it just reminds me of where I started from the beginning. The biggest influence, has been my brother E-40, only because he is more than music and it makes me feel inspired that he is pulling things off, with a well rounded element, which reminds me of myself. Also, because himself and my family rap group, The Click and record label, Sick Wid It Records, coached me as an executive in the game from the start of my career, which helps me to this day.
Parlé Mag: How do you describe the style of music that you create?
Suga-T: My style of music that I create and perform, I would consider Hip-Hop / Soul. If music does not build or feed our soul in some way, then it is senseless.
Parlé Mag: Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?
Suga-T: My longevity is strictly based on my relationship with God, and the well rounded life that I have been able to experience. I have been up and down a variety of real life roads. Some of these roads brought a lot of obstacles, adversities and lessons along the way, and there has been many times that others may not have understood or were not wise enough to take the time to understand where I was coming from or my reasoning for different experiences, but I was always able to pray to God in my heart and soul and it was always a comfort. We can have all the riches, fans and fun in the world, but if our souls are miserable and not balanced, none of it does us any good. So because of the peace in my soul, my spiritual relationship, the other things besides music that I have accomplished, such as my Master’s Degree, and the great people who actually did love on me and take the time to check me out, longevity has been possible. Also the fact that doing what we are called here on earth to do, gives me a more fairer chance of sticking around here as long as I have.
Parlé Mag: What are your thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop? And, even more specifically, women in rap, or the lack thereof?
Suga-T: I think that the Hip Hop world is very biased. There are picks taken out and privileges given to some more than others on both ends, men and women. I can’t say that I am unhappy, but I definitely feel some of the backlash of it and I also can see clearly the politics of it all. I feel that if the women in rap could come together on both coasts and stick together, we can demand the respect of those who would have not considered us before doing so. Also if we would learn and understand the business, then we may have a better chance of winning. It won’t hurt for the artists to all step up their game and talk about more than just surface related topics, because the generations are watching us and we need to feed them more than just fun and games. But the good thing is that it is still around, and these days we don’t have to wait on labels to put us out or spend millions of dollars to brand, we have it all at our fingertips right online.
Parlé Mag: Do you have any other additional aspirations, that you have yet to pursue?
Suga-T: Yes, I will continue to write books, and push wellness to others; mind, body, spirit and soul. My passion is entrepreneurship, helping people that are hurting and using my creativity in any way possible. I also will be spending more time staying acquainted, standing as a matriarch in my family.
Parlé Mag: Is acting still on your radar?
Suga-T: Acting is definitely still on my radar. As a matter of fact, I just did a movie called What Are The Chances. I also did a movie called 16 Bars, along with a few plays. I will be producing a sitcom at one point also, and I am really excited about that.
Parlé Mag: Talk to me about this Suga’ Rush movement…
Suga-T: The Suga’ Rush Movement, consists of giving you a “sugar rush” without getting you sick. The goal is to “rush” my fan-base followers and influencers, with music, motivation and media. My goal is to make up for the lost time from mainly music and media, on the back burner. So this means that I will be presented in the many forms of media, music and motivating others through the speaking and books.
Parlé Mag: To date, what do you feel have been your greatest career achievements?
Suga-T: My greatest career achievements will take too long to list, however one of my latest has been being recognized as a West Coast female Hip Hop pioneer of all-time by Queen Latifah on VH1 Honors. Also, being presented on Unsung, highlighting my influence in my brother’s career and in the legendary stamp we made collectively as a family and as a group. I must say that completing my Master’s Degree, and the many other credentials along the way, has been a major load to accomplish and I am proud to have those under my belt also. Oh, I forgot my books.
Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Suga-T: Of course, I would collaborate with 2Pac, Biggie Smalls, Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, Suga Free, Mc Lyte, Maze and Frankie Beverly, Chaka Khan and many others. *Suga giggles*
Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Suga-T: I can’t wait to play for the Super Bowl and Times Square in New York.
Parlé Mag: One track of yours that you think defines you and why?
Suga-T: I think that “Greatness” because it tells my whole story and sets the record straight for those in question, allowing me to tell my own story.
Parlé Mag: Lastly, everyone also knows you as the First Lady of your family group The Click. Its been fifteen-plus years removed since your last group collection, Money & Muscle, are there any current plans in place to return with album number four? And if so, what all can be expected from the next studio outing from the collective?
Suga-T: Yes, indeed, I be the First Lady and the West Coast Queen of Hip Hop. Funny that even though I have not broke my neck to make my presence as visible , I am still holding the crown with a large body of work. What a blessing! Anyway, yes, The Click is currently working on a new album and also launched the SWI Tour, recently rockin’ and selling out the Oakland Coliseum.
Parlé Mag: Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?
Suga-T: I think we set the record clear. I am just as excited about my new projects more than ever, and happy to still be here alive and healthy to do so. God is good! Many people have not made it this far and are no longer here, so using all my gifts makes me a healthy soul.
Parlé Mag: Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
Suga-T: I hope that you all make sure you go to Shop Sprinkle Me: www.sprinkleme.biz and enjoy the fragrance, wellness, beauty and accessories. Stay in touch with my movement. #sugatfirstlady.
Stay Connected with Suga-T:
www.suga-t.com
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
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