Burmy: Hello and welcome to Burmy's Industry Rehab, where yesteryear's rising stars get their voices heard again!  Joining me for the first-ever interview is one-half of a hip-hop duo that I enjoyed bumpin' when Grand Hustle was on the rise, but who's been stayin' low-key for now, seeing others rise as she bides her time.  Please welcome 1/2 of Xtaci, Bola!  It's an honor to FINALLY be interviewing you!  So, tell us a bit about how your recent life has been lately?

 

Bola: The low key life is good!  *laughs*  Life is good period...God is good.  

 

Burmy: All the time!  So, what have you been keeping busy doing?

 

Bola: I have been pursuing my masters in psychology for a couple years and it's been going well.  It has always been one of my passions, because I want to help troubled young adults, save some from suicide and help some to cope with depression.  It is a very touchy subject to me so I want to do something about it.  

 

Burmy: Given the recent rise in depression awareness, that is something I trust you will do VERY WELL at.  Besides, that, what else have you been working on?

 

Bola: I have also been working on my business QUEEN ME COLLECTION.  It's an accessory line that will later venture into clothing, but I'm just taking it one task at a time praying that everything falls in place.  Lastly I'm back working on music!  I jus want to focus on letting God speak to me at this point in my life on which directions I need to take.  I'm getting older so great decisions have to be made.  I have always been a simple hearted person; I love hard and I've seen a lot so I'm just trying to keep it trill everyday.

 

Burmy: As you always have.  But anyways, more on your career; where did you first fall in love with hip-hop and what made you decide to want to do it?

 

Bola: Hmm...I fell in love with hip hop in high school.  I come from a musically driven family so I have always been a music head.  My older sister used to play everything that Tupac made when I was a youngin' so that's when the love for it started.  Old school R&B moves my soul as well.  But you could say I started to want to get into music watching Master P and the whole No Limit; they made big things out of nothing and it moved me, so I was a fan of how he turned his team into a business and movement.

 

Burmy: And quite a movement you were ready to start!  What made you and Sunshine get together and decide to do the duo thing?

 

Bola: Me and Sunshine met in high school.  We became good friends and complemented each other well, so we decided to give u two very different things at one time.

 

Burmy: And quite a duo you made...so, how did you catch Tip's eye?  What did he see in you that made him want to sign you two?

 

Bola: We were at a show of his where he was opening up for another artist.  He was jus starting to promote his songs when we ran into him at the show.  He originally came at me in a "What's up with ya" kinda way if you know what I mean *laughs* But we were so hungry we was like "We rap; listen to our stuff!"  I think what drew him and Jason to us was our personalities more than anything; not that we were loud and extra but hungry and sincere.

 

Burmy: I gotta tell you, I've always felt an aura of sincerity coming from you!  You did quite a few songs during that time, doing "Take Me to the Mall," "Who You Callin' A Bitch?" with Big Kuntry King, and you appeared on "100 Yard Dash" off Young Dro's "Best Thang Smokin'" album.  Of all the songs you did in that run, which would you say is your favorite?

 

Bola: *laughs* My favorite outta those would be "Who You Callin' A Bitch?"  It came from a real place; we were having convos about how we as females use the word ourselves (which, by the way I don't really do too much now) as opposed to a man even thinking about saying it to us...not that it bothers me.   But with "Who You Callin' A Bitch?" Kuntry was there in the studio that night vibing with us and it all jus came together!  "Take Me to the Mall" was a record we did that we wanted to give off the more "No Mediocre" feel, as Jason Geter also helped us with the concept of that song.  It always bothered me, though, 'cuz I'm not that materialistic and that was our first major song.  I didn't want people to think that was us off that first impression, 'cuz we were so much cooler than jus clothes and shoes!  "100 Yard Dash" would be next in line of my favorites as a whole because our whole journey is attached to that song; not only was it the first time being on a major album, but Dro also took us on the road with him.  And even sometime when we were on the road with Tip , he would play "100 Yard Dash" over and over; he really liked that record, so it was cool...that song was real too!  When we were all together out doing our thing, that song was real life! *laughs* We were having fun and living life.

 

Burmy: As I was happy you did!  (Although personally, my favorite was your freestyle over Jadakiss' "Why"...I always think "Why didn't they make it as big as they should have," y'know?)

 

Bola: Umm...we might have looked together at time but I don't think we were together all the way.  With women artist you have to have a whole marketing scheme and back then, people were still kinda scared to push women thinking it would fail at the end of the day.  And any female who been pushing for a while can tell u it's not always peachy; with women, management and the team have to stay on point and ours wasn't always like that cuz we were conducting ourselves more like friends and family so it took away from the business.  I remember writing the freestyle "Why" and it too came from a certain place, 'cuz I was really fed up with the way things were and how people looked at females (still today) and it jus came out!  The best songs/freestyles happen that way...

 

Burmy: Often they do-but now let's go into where things started slowing down.  We all know about Tip's legal issues which went from 2007 until 2011, so what was that period like for you?

 

Bola: It was just frustrating at times-jus when you thought things were on the up and up, something happened.  But that was jus life, 'cuz we all went through periods on our lives where we would mess up and make bad decisions so we couldn't fault him.  There were times he was only able to work in the studio though, while in the halfway house.  Those times were still bonding times so I guess it kinda played out itself out-still being surrounded by him and seeing him bounce back was cool.

 

Burmy: That it was...eventually, Sunshine had a kid and you two amicably agreed to split the group.  Have you kept in touch with her since then?  If so, how's she doing?

 

Bola: Of course we kept in touch; remember, we were never just put together as a group, but we was real friends in real life! *laughs*  But she is well, living her life, being a mother.

 

Burmy: Glad to hear that...now let's get into the meat and bones of this interview-the reason why I held it, in fact (Because you will see quotes from this section popping up over all the blog sites).  As anyone who doesn't live underneath a rock knows, T.I. has since signed Iggy Azalea to Grand Hustle, who has since become an overnight industry sensation.  Being labelmates and all, how do you get along with her?

 

Bola: *laughs* Turn it!!!  Nah but I don't know Iggy personally-it's not like she is around like that.  To add, I don't think she is signed to Grand Hustle-it's jus a tight affiliation with Tip.  He put her on and I think it was one of the best moves he's made in a while when it comes to artists.  If you look at the Grand Hustle roster, not many of us have done super major things.  Yeah, I admit it was kind of a blow to the chest 'cuz I don't think we fully got a chance at it but hey, life goes on.  I liked her when I first heard her and I think Tip saw a vision and jumped on it.  Like I said with women, the plan has to be tight!  And just by lookin' at her, I could tell she was gonna win!  Tip ain't even have to do much and I salute her for that.  Grand Hustle has always been that type of label who doesn't want to spoon feed artists but help them grow-yeah, it sucked at the time but I couldn't be mad.  I'm still Grand Hustle's First Lady forever though!  Tell em to do they research...

 

Burmy: *laughs* You know I have, and I'll keep doing so!  Several people, most recently Rah Digga, have decried Iggy for trying to sound like...well, a Southern femcee (she mentioned Gangsta Boo as an example).  How do you feel personally about her sound?

 

Bola: Initially I liked her sound, then it just kinda got annoying and not really believable, but who in the industry doesn't have to find themselves?  I do think when people write for her it's noticeable but she needs it-and I think her true sound will come through.  I don't think she sounds like Gangsta Boo though *laughs* Good thing is she doesn't sound like anyone else and that is always a win.

 

Burmy: Have you ever looked at her achievements and thought "This could have been me?"  Or do you just take it all in stride, focused on your own plans?

 

Bola: I haven't really said to myself "This could have been me," 'cuz I am me.  We all have our own significant stories and you think, "That's what makes me special."  I do feel at times that my situation could have had more attention from Tip though, but I envy no one.  I'm always happy to know that any women makes it in music.

 

Burmy: As any well-minded woman should.  OK, I promise this will be the LAST question about comparing you to Iggy.  What would you have to say to anybody who brings you up as an example of somebody Tip should have given the treatment he's giving her?

 

Bola: I get it all the time!  I've actually had people say to me that they're trying to paint her as what we were trying to accomplish.  I jus tell people, "What would I look like to get mad at any hustle?"  I want them to support me even harder because of what they've seen play out.  Sure, it upsets family and friends of mine, but I tell them, "If I'm not trippin' then you shouldn't be either."  What's made for me is for me!

 

Burmy: And I trust that big things are still ahead for you!  I know you mentioned this earlier, but in brief, tell us again what your plans are, music and otherwise, for the year ahead?

 

Bola: Future plans is, in the next few months I plan on dropping visuals and music!  I want my fans to take the journey with me.  I plan on letting them in more, and I want to support others as well as them supporting me.  New stuff dropping with #QueenMe and I'm going to let it all flow and let God guide me-I've always been a survivor and ain't shyt changed!

 

Burmy: Excellent.  Well, before I sign off, give my crowd a Twitter or any other pages they can follow you at.  (Or the e-mail if any promoters want to book you)

 

Bola: Twitter and Instagram is @BolaBettyBoop, and for booking, just e-mail bolabettyboopbiz@yahoo.com.

 

Burmy: Well, thank you so much for your time and for joining me at Burmy's Industry Rehab, and I wish you nothing but the best in your future ahead.

 

Bola: I want to say I truly appreciate you and hope we get to meet in the future.  I love ppl who love music and are interested in authenticity, not hype and gimmicks.  You are appreciated and you motivate me, so I wish u well too!  Oh yea, and I loveeeeeeeee the name #industryrehab dope dope dope- I might have to beg you to use it for something if u let me? *laughs* But I will make sure you're a part of it.  And I want to jus hear from you often period-thank you Burmy-love.