PAID THE COST TO BE THE BO$$

Throughout the past few months, the Alius Team has tried our absolute best to stay current and also to keep the Alius reading audience current on the female musical talent in the city of Detroit. You've read about sexy female lyricist, June Bug and the talented and soultry songstress, Shay Lewis, but where would Detroit's musical talent be without the influence of artists who have come before them??

With that said, I would LOVE to take this time to spotlight a founding mother of the rap game here in Detroit. If you have never heard of BO$$, BABY YOU BETTER ASK SOMEBODY!!! Read more after the jump.....

BO$$ was born Lichelle Laws in Detroit, Michigan in 1969. Her upbringing has long been debated within the hip hop community. Some say she grew up affluent...others say she was straight from the hood of the D. Regardless, BO$$ had talent. She was signed with Def Jam West after moving to Los Angeles, once she finished high school. The high point of BO$$'s career was in 1993 when she released her debut album, "Born Gangstas" which boasted hits like "Deeper" and "Recipe of a Hoe."

Following the release of these two singles, BO$$ did an interview with a Wall Street journalist who questioned her background, suggesting that she had actually grown up in an upper middle class neighborhood quite different from the "gangsta" persona that she portrayed. This journalist later recanted his story, admitting that he had gotten his facts wrong. Despite the dissension and criticism that his accusation spawned, Def Jam did not drop BO$$ from their label, but her sophomore album was shelved.

 

Subsequently, BO$$ then moved onto Houston, Texas landing a radio job during the mid 90s. In 2001, she was also featured on Krayzie Bone's album "Thug On the Line," and in 2004, BO$$ released her own mixtape entitled "The Six Million Dollar Mixtape" which had mixed reviews.

 

In May of 2011, it was announced that BO$$ is in need of a kidney due to renal failure. She appealed to former fans and warm hearts over Facebook, but unfortunately, a donor has yet to be found.

 

Whether widely known or not, BO$$ is credited as being one of the early female pioneers of "gangsta rap," and I know that Detroit is so proud to call her our own. PLEASE LIFT HER UP IN PRAYER!! Her fight is not over, and I am sure she needs the support. If anyone would like to aid in the search for a kidney for BO$$ or anyone else, friends of BO$$ have launched a campaign entitled "Rappers Need Kidneys Too." Please, check back with the site for contact information.

 

 

I commend BO$$ for her influence, talent and struggle. We can truly say that she paid the cost to be the BO$$...

Via HipHopDX

VIA LOFTXMUSIC