peace ya’ll! so this is the start of the “ones to watch, sistas you’re gonna be checkin for” series. and first out the gate is:
Jasmine Solano.
you may have caught her behind the turntables at various events around NYC, Miami, DC or LA. but she’s starting to carve out a name for herself holding that mic too i.e. the only female that performed at the Rock the Bells show last weekend at Jones Beach. so I gotta take sec to give a sista her kudos and big ups!
I first encountered Jasmine last year at the Delancey (shouts out to ILL P!), and it was one of those “yo! ok, who’s the DJ?! because they goin in!”. y’all know those moments. and y’all have probably guessed by now that it was Jasmine. so it came as no surprise to me to find out one of the many venues she rocks is her party ELECTRIC PUNANNY with Melo X and Roxy Cottontail, as just one of the spots where she burns the turntables regularly.
and it all started when she was 17 and began to fully explore her love for music as a DJ and personality on 88.9FM, WERS Boston (sigh..the hometown, shouts to all my folks in the Bean!). holding the titles of New England Urban Music Awards “Best Female Radio Personality” and the Evvy Awards “Best Radio On-air Personality”, that personality would start to shine through once she had the mic in hand.
after hosting and MCing for concerts and shows for artists from Q-tip to the GZA to Goapele, De La Soul and Grandmaster Flash, Jasmine teamed with DJ Wonder to release her first single “That’s Not It” on Christmas Day 2008.
she has since rocked the Miami Winter Music Conference, gone on an international tour with Ninjasonik, held down the stage at the Lyricist Lounge, backed up J*Davey in DJ mode and of course, the aforementioned..Rock the Bells in NYC.
this woman is on her grind. I flat out asked her: do you have a manager? or is all you do all you?
Jasmine Solano: All me! Bout to get some help tho..but yep, it’s been all me thus far.
Respect. and as I’m sure y’all know by now I had a few more questions:
me: how long you been holding this mic and spittin these rhymes?
Jasmine Solano: Since about 16. I started doing spoken word and open mics in high school. It was always with two friends, one a drummer and the other a beat boxer. When I was 17 I really started to freestyle. I would join in ciphers with dudes at every party I went to, not having much to lose – I would speak my little hip hop activist mind. Years later I started making music, writing to beats but never told anyone. Only my closest friends. It was only 7 months ago that I actually released a track to the public, produced by DJ Wonder called “That’s Not It”.
me: how often do sit and write?
Jasmine Solano: As much as possible. It’s a little difficult with my workaholic schedule – I’m usually djing, performing, traveling, planning and organizing. Always doing. I try to find as much time as possible to sit, reflect, zone out and write.
me: what are your goals as a woman MC and as a woman in general?
Jasmine Solano: I have many, haha. Ultimately I want to become an influence that is so personal and relatable that I can possibly change lives, for the good. And it doesn’t have to necessarily be about humongous life changes – I rather impact the moments that are small yet so significant. I’m talking about moods, imaginations and dreams. The way some one’s lyrics can affect your whole perspective. And how songs always reference specific life moments that are remembered forever. I would like to be a part of those moments in people’s lives when something opened up, grew or began. I guess you have to listen to the lyrics to see what I mean 
me: where can folks buy your music?
Jasmine Solano: Soon you’ll be able to buy my music on iTunes and my DJ Mixtapes at local clothing street wear stores! “Jasmine Solano:The EP” is coming soon!
I believe her, think you should too..as stated earlier also..um, one to watch. so big ups and shouts out to Jasmine Solano for keeping alive the art of the woman MC for the next generation! werd.
so y’all be sure to keep checkin for Jasmine and all the other sistas sharing their skills with you and the world.
peaces.
rox
OH YEAH! I almost forgot to mention (..lol, not so much) on 8/6 She’s So Fresh goes to the next level bringing you the She’s So Fresh Showcase at Karma Lounge, NYC! Featuring performances by:
Eyeris
Controversy
Lin Que
Tiye Phoenix
and
yours truly!
Hosted by Caitlin Meissner and with DJ Juice E on the 1′s and 2′s, it’s gonna be …FRESH!
Miz Metro will be performing that night at Joe’s Pub at 7:30p so after you go check out her and The Makebelieves doing their thing, head on over! we’ll be waiting…
