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Finally it's here! The interview that all of you have
been asking for. Mysterious, yet candid, Meca Isa opens
up to expose how her past and present have predicted
her future in the Hip Hop culture.
Possibilities and Aspirations
Meca Isa migrated from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia
to become one of the region's leading preservationist
of Hip Hop culture. Since her adolescence, Meca has
had a fascination in the arts and music, which led her
to playing the violin in 5th grade, and heavily being
involved in various art programs. Once she graduated
from high school in 1994, Meca attended Texas A&M
University in Galveston, Texas. She further discusses,
"Other than music, I am into science and math.
I majored in Marine Biology." This is where
her introduction to computers began. Admitting that
she partied a bit more than she studied, Meca left Texas
A&M and returned home to Virginia to attend Norfolk
State. Upon her return home she got heavily into graffiti
writing, which led to becoming a part of the local Hip
Hop scene. Meca started researching and studying Hip
Hop culture and its history. Through a few members of
the local Hip Hop community, she learned and took interest
in the Universal
Zulu Nation, which is an organization founded in
1973 by Afrika Bambaataa, dedicated to preserving the
past and enriching the future of the Hip Hop culture.
Since there was no Zulu Nation chapter in Virginia Beach,
Meca assisted in starting one in 1997. She explains,
"We started with five, and then it grew to twenty,
because everyone wanted a place to hang out, learn about
Hip Hop and just chill." Meca enjoyed the diverse
Hip Hop community. She had become addicted to the beats,
lyrics, and different sub-cultures within. Once again
she changed her environment. This time she was off to
Richmond, Virginia, where she used her knowledge to
establish a local chapter of the Universal Zulu Nation.
In addition to keeping the chapter running, she was
heavily involved in promoting and organizing various
Hip Hop events.
In the summer of 1999, Meca moved to Philadelphia
with the intent to finish a computer science degree
at Temple University. Instead she fell into the trap
of working in the real world. "When I moved
to Philly I met Liza from The
Avenue and started to pick up flyers about different
Hip Hop events. Networking through different outlets
like the okayplayer.com
street team, I met a lot of people that were active
in the community," Meca says. Her Universal
Zulu Nation connects led her to Funk Wizard Snow when
she got to Philly (they had previously communicated
online while Meca was still in VA). Already a fan of
her work, Funk Wizard Snow brought Meca on board
to take the website to places that he says he couldn't
do on his own. Meca also designed and re-launched various
websites including the phenomennally successful "new
& improved" PhillyHipHop.com in October 2002.
On top of all this, she is still creating numerous flyers
and album covers. Be careful not to get it twisted!
While she stays busy holding it down for Hip Hop, Meca
has her own individual art projects. Her artwork is
mainly graffiti-based and represents spectrums of the
Hip Hop culture and life. "I've been doing what
other people want for so long, so it's time to concentrate
on my own goals (including her website resolution72.com)"
she says. A sample of her talent is available at Cue
Records. In addition to the Space
1026 show she participated in a few months ago,
Meca has upcoming showcases planned for Philly and New
York. Although Hip Hop is close to her heart, her artwork
serves as the true representation of self.
Education is key
"People don't realize that Hip Hop isn't just
music. From the styles to actions, it shapes who you
are," Meca explains. Since she has been in
the Philadelphia scene, she notices that the audience
is hard to please, and everything isn't always accepted
(which is a good thing). At the same time she applauds
the diversity and passion that is installed within the
community, especially the DJ and b-boy scene. The lack
of forums, outlets and labels keep the potential of
Philadelphia from expanding. "We have a pretty
good scene with many upcoming groups," Meca
says, "If people think Hip Hop in Philadelphia
is at its worst, then they need to know that it's going
to recycle and renew itself if people educate the youth
with good music." At the same time, I believe
it's important to teach respect within the Hip Hop culture
to those coming up in it. Adding to this, Meca speaks
on the obstacles of balancing being a fan, and being
a woman on the scene, "There is a level of professionalism
that you have to have. Sometimes you want to be cool
and wild out, but it's taken the wrong way. I love to
make new friends, but I have to be careful."
She believes that this year females are going be respected
for what they are accomplishing and their contributions
to Hip Hop culture. She elaborates, "There is
always going to be a sexual stigma, but if we encourage
and educate the females, then they will listen."
Word up, and there's no time to start like the present.
Humble and Proud
"Hip Hop right now is evolving. It's good that
musicians and emcees are finally getting paid for their
talent," she says, "Although we hate
to admit it, we have to come to the realization that
hip-hop is so influential that media is picking up on
it." Meca is what we call an equal opportunity
supporter. While she enjoys the concerts and battles
just as much as the next person, her love for the culture
extends beyond a microphone; therefore any opportunity
she has to witness b-boys and b-girls, DJ's or observe
graf work she'll take it. Not only that, but she feeds
the information to the masses. From Hip Hop workshops
at schools to charity events, Meca maintains a close
relationship with the community. It's not her job to
build the bridge between the elements, but it's something
she feels is important. She explains, "My contribution
to the Hip Hop scene is helping to provide an outlet
for those within it." She is all about having
fun, and keeping the culture alive. Nothing more, and
nothing less. Meca preserves the art, history, and the
culture. Nothing like being in love with the true essence
of Hip Hop.
***Meca Isa cartoon character courtesy of andremoore.com
isa17.com
resolution72.com
Article by Deesha Dyer
PhillyHipHop.com
June, 2003
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