Get Your Buzz Up #1 Site for Unsigned/Indie/Underground Hip Hop
Get Your Buzz Up is starting the month of February off with an interview with Chicago, Illinois own Pinqy Ring. Born and raised in the Windy City, Pinqy has accomplished many goals such as graduating with honors from UIC and persevering thru grueling life events such as a 2004 car accident that left her in a coma for some time. Many recommended that Pinqy seek out the best auto accident attorney to help her get compensation but what Pinqy realized most was that she needed to change her life and help others change theirs as well through her music. Pinqy also is an advocate towards sexual abuse and has spoken out about her own personal experiences going thru & dealing with such an experience. She packs this entire experience into a powerful song titled “Little Hearts”. With that being said, let’s kick things off.
Q: So Pinqy, please let the people know a little bit about yourself and what motivated you to get involved with the music scene?
A: Well, as you’ve said my name is Pinqy Ring and I’m a Latina rapper from Chicago. I am also a part time high school English teacher, as well as a community activist and philanthropist. More than that, I think I’m a dope MC, period. I’m a student of Hip Hop, so I learned a lot before entering the field. What motivated me to rap originally was wanting to prove to the guys I rolled with that I could do what they do lyrically. What kept me in it though was the force inside of the music, it called to me and pulled me in. I taught myself everything about Hip Hop, as no one in my family was into that genre which inspired me to stick with it and make it mine.
Q: Being Puerto Rican and female, how do you feel that affects your music exposure among the masses?
A: Both can have their advantages and disadvantages. Being that my 2014 resolution was to be positive, I’ll only focus on the advantages. I think that being a Puerto Rican, or Latina in general, broadens my audience. Puerto Ricans played an integral part in the forming of Hip Hop music in the 70’s in New York, so we are definitely an accepted race in the genre. There aren’t too many Ricans rocking mics in the main stream right now either, so that’s definitely an advantage. We’re also so lovely, passionate and full of culture and no strangers to struggle, so all that translates into the music I make. Being a woman is also an advantage because, though people doubt you, the minute you spit (and you actually CAN spit) you get respect unparalleled. It’s also a market that’s not as saturated as the male Hip Hop scene, so if you have what it takes and work hard, you will definitely get recognized. You also can relate directly to the number one purchaser of Hip Hop music – women. If you put your experiences into songs, people will rock with it if they feel you’re being genuine.
Q: You’ve mentioned that you were on a destructive path prior to your 2004 car accident. Besides the obvious answer of having a second chance on life, what else helped you in deciding to change your mindset and lifestyle change?
A: I think just knowing that the legacy that I was leaving was not one worth remembering helped me change my life and mind. There are so many rappers that had left a lasting impression on me, and I wanted to be that. I changed my path so that someone could look up to me and know that pursuing their dreams was possible. The street life really doesn’t do anything for you. I didn’t want to be a statistic, I wanted to change statistics.
Q: You recently released “Little Hearts”, a song dealing with sexual abuse and your own personal experiences with that subject. Please speak in detail about the song and going thru a situation like this. Also please explain to everyone how sexual abuse affected you growing up.
A: Well, the song in and of itself was very difficult to write. After going through therapy last year, I decided I was ready to talk to the world about what happened to me. The best way I know how to do that is through music. But there were always things getting in the way of me writing it, recording it, mixing it, etc. I’m a firm believer in the fact that when you have an important mission, everything will get in your way, so I persevered. I knew getting this song out there would help so many broken little hearts, even my own. Going through sexual abuse when you are a child creates life-long trauma. It affects the way you date. The way you view yourself. The decisions you make. I was molested in the church by two different men, and it is truly is the reason I was on the aforementioned “destructive path”. I was acting out trying to get attention and vying for love. Maybe if victims of sexual abuse, like me can go to Tom Fowler Law or similar others and seek their expertise to help us stand for ourselves in the court of law, the personal injury we suffered would get noticed and that might help bring justice to us lot. But, then I wrote the song to unpack. To create dialogue about the important topic. To heal. And by healing myself, and putting my private life in the public eye, I was able to help some other young girls start their dialogues on their own sexual abuse. That’s why I did it. And I’m proud of myself. I’m proud of THEM.
Q:Thanks for sharing that with us Pinqy. What advice or help can you offer to those being victimized by sexual abuse?
A: Get help. Please, please, please GET HELP. Talk about it with someone you trust. Seek therapy. You can Google Rape Victim Advocates, or even RAINN (http://www.rainn.org/). I worked with an organization called Life-Span to release the song. There are resources out there and people who are trained to help. I am at the happiest point in my life right now because I sought help. That help lead me to realize why I was doing what I was doing. Why I was loving the way I loved. Why I was coping in all the wrong ways. Realizing that helps you change those bad habits. Bad habits are not your fault. Something triggers them. And abuse was definitely NOT YOUR FAULT. But you can heal, you can move past it, and you can be great. I would suggest talking about it, and helping other young people. I didn’t have anyone coming out and saying “ME TOO” so I kept it all in. I wish I had done all these things to heal earlier. I wouldn’t have gotten into that accident. We are a community of survivors, and among helping ourselves heal, we have to help other young girls and boys. Most importantly, I would say to them: You are beautiful. Worthy. Amazing. So strong! I’m sorry you had to go through that. I believe you. And I love you.
Q: Do you let your past experiences define you as a person?
A: I did. I definitely did. I try not to anymore. Because living in the past just keeps you trapped. I’m still human, though. We all are. I revisit my sexual abuse every time I try to find love. It’s tough, man. But in the end of the song “Little Hearts”, I reiterate that “you are not a product of your past”. You are your choices, not the choices other people made. And you are this moment forward. What will you do to make sure your present actions define you and create your legacy?
Q: You’ve got a dope project out right now titled “Herstory”, which is available as a free download. The project features Bo Deal, DJ Nonstop and Justin Ghofrani. We get a melting pot of music from you here. From pop records, hard flows and we even get some Spanish language infusions on “Tickets”. What were you aiming on getting out of this project and what was your direction when recording?
A: “Herstory” was my re-introduction into music. I took a long break from music making to graduate college and then I got so enthralled in teaching that I neglected what I loved most. I found a new love, though, and that was helping people. Especially young, under-served people. Once I got laid off of my GED teaching position I realized the universe was pushing me into a new Pinqy Ring – one who would help people still, but through music. I couldn’t encourage students to chase their wildest dreams if I wasn’t doing the same. So I took the L on a steady paycheck and used the money I saved to work on “Herstory”. Like you mentioned, it’s a melting pot. I intended to show the world my versatility. I love music, all kinds of music, and am never opposed to doing something I feel is dope. I can give you love tracks, feel-good tracks, socially conscious joints, turn up songs and lyrical prowess numbers that also show my ability to speak and write and spit in Spanish. My direction was scattered, because that’s the kind of writer and person I am, but I’m happy with the end result as a re-introduction into music. I’m happy with my Herstory.
Q: What’s in store for Mz. Pinqy in 2014? Any new projects or upcoming shows in the works?
A: Well, in 2014 I have a few things going on. I’m definitely going to be working on an album. More music videos, as well. I have a show on February 24th at Sub T for I Still Love Her and I’ll always be booking and rocking shows. I want to take more time to write though because I want to keep giving the world more music. Also, very important in 2014 is “The Pinqy Project”. It is my high school Hip Hop motivational workshop that will share my story with students through performance and speaking, as well as, encourage them to share their narratives to create real change in the world. 2014 is mine, I know a lot of people say that but all I can do is work hard and show the world that my place in this music industry is imminent and pre-destined.
Q: Social media time, where can we find you on the internet?
A: My Twitter https://twitter.com/PinqyRing
My Instagram is @Pinqy_Ring
My Facebook page is www.facebook.com/pinqyringmusic and my website (which will be revamped in a few months) is
Q: Lastly, is there anyone that you’d like to give thanks to or shout out?
A: Yeah, man, shout out to y’all! This was a dope and introspective interview. Shout out to all the blogs that show love, REAL LOVE, to up and coming artists. I want to give a huge shout out to my DJ, DJ Raboo, and hype girl Mlaya for holding me down. Shout out to all the supporters who constantly buy merch or come to shows or simply say what I need to hear when I’m feeling low. Shout out to my family for being super supportive of my career and of “Little Hearts”. Shout out to my friends who are the backbone I need. Shout out to Sho Shot and Sean of Provisual.org. Shout out to anyone who sees and rocks with my vision. And shout out to everyone who will have a huge hand in my career this year and moving forward, they know who they are, and I am super grateful.
Even though what happens to us as children affects our behaviors & actions growing up, Pinqy Ring refuses to let her past define her character. She strives to move forward, stays motivated and gives hope to those of us that have gone thru tragic situations. GYBU would like to thank Pinqy for taking the time to conduct this interview with us and make sure to go download “Herstory” and “Little Hearts” today.
Written By: @blitzb_60505
