THE LADIES FIRST PROJECT
Since hip-hop’s inception, women have always embraced & redefined the sound, look, and culture of the genre without receiving their proper credit. As a new generation challenges the genre’s status quo, it is imperative to create spaces where women are honored for their contributions to the most influential sound in the world. In Buffalo, where the hip-hop scene is reaching a new frontier, many women involved in the musical arts have a two-fold mission - perfecting their gift and nurturing the community through their gift.
Honoring the 5 elements of hip-hop, we feature women who showcase their talent and tell their stories, propagating hip-hop. You will learn what they do and why they do it. In the powerful words of Queen Latifah, this is “Ladies First.”
LADIES FIRST lll: LEGACY will highlight seasoned leaders and fierce culture workers influencing Buffalo’s music and art community. Supported by Torn Space Theater, Project Mona’s House, Buffalove Bus, Radah Baked Goods, The Natural Hustle, Happi’s Place and The Challenger News.
THE WOMEN OF LADIES FIRST ‘25: LEGACY
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ALEXA WAJED
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Demeca Evans
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Linda Appleby
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SOLAR
Audi Blu
Ludjjy Edouasie
Jada Ivey
Olivia Howard
Lea The Teacha
DJ Nadi
Tyliyah Warren
Danielle Little
MarLasia "DJ Liberty" Feagin
Christine Martin
Robin Lee Jordan
Bebe D'lure
Dejia Marie James
Star
Kelly Atkinson
Starr Cooper
Jessica West
The WOMEN OF LADIES FIRST 2024
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DJ LISA LUX
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YANAVA " NAVI" HAWKINS
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DJ LITTLE ITALY
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PRETTY BULLI
VISUAL ART ON VIEW BY MAGGIE GIAMO
Maggie Giamo is a Visual Artist, Visual Arts Teacher for Buffalo Public Schools, and chef at Daniela. She has taken a more serious approach to her recent mural career, while juggling her education and culinary career. Her recent body of painting has explored fusing both realism and abstraction together to best illustrate personal conflict in her pieces.
Malika Henry, Photographer
Wavy, Multidiscipinary Artist
Destiny "BBYG" Anderson, Model, Organizer
Chango4, Artist, DJ
Deja, Artisan
Leale, Rapper
Nekea, Set Designer
Alisha Collins, Business Manager
K. Sweet, Social Media Strategist
Lola Rue, Music Manager
Smoke, Podcast Owner
Bambi, Indigenous Multimedia Artist
Adriana "Adri. V" Viverette, Radio Personality
THE WOMEN OF LADIES FIRST ‘22
Aitina Fareed-Cooke. A.I. The Anomaly, Rapper
Brooke Joy Blakely, Designer
Desiree Key, DJ IFYKYK
Gabby Arthur, DJ Lil Gabby
Neph Vasquez, Show Runner
Stacy VanBlarcom, B-Girl
DJ Brei
Eula Banks, Photographer
Tiffany Gaines, Art Curator
Leah Hamilton, Challenger Newspaper Editor
Jessica Sadelson, Street Artist
Sam Tilkins, Graphic Designer
Thee Teleah, Media Personality
Michelle Visa, Rapper, Radio Personality
Shantelle Patton, Business Woman
Listen up.
It’s here! The official Ladies First Playlist IS HERE FOR YOU TO CELEBRATE THE WOMEN OF HIP-HOP from it’s INCEPTION TO NOW!
VIEW THE LADIES FIRST GALLERY HERE
WHY LADIES FIRST?
Since hip-hop’s inception, women have always embraced & redefined the sound, look, and culture of the genre without receiving their proper credit. As a new generation of listeners, artists, and industry players challenge the outdated perspectives existing within the hip-hop community, it is imperative to create spaces where women are celebrated for their contributions to the most influential sound in the world. In Buffalo, where the hip-hop scene is reaching a new frontier, many women who are involved in the musical arts have a two-fold mission - perfecting their gift and nurturing their community through their gift.
Honoring the 5 elements of hip-hop, we feature women who showcase their talent and tell their stories along with a hand-selected group of ladies propagating hip-hop. You will learn what they do and why they do it. In the powerful words of Queen Latifah, this is “Ladies First.