Fayetteville rapper, E.E. Smith grad wary of typecasting for female hip-hop artists: Keem Jones

The world hails Halle Berry as one of the greatest actresses to hit the big screen. Her work has earned her the title of “Oscar-winning.”

However, she was not always intent on acting. In addition, roles for Black women were limited, especially lead roles.

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When Berry finally landed roles, she was typecast. Typecasting is when an actor or actress is assigned to the same type of role because of the appropriateness of their appearance or previous success in such roles.

A generation of woman rappers

Typecasting in the entertainment industry is not limited to Hollywood. The latest crop of female rap artists has been typecast. Popular female artists such as Glorilla, Sexxy Red, Meg The Stallion, Cardi B and Big Latto boast lyrics about topics considered to be detrimental to the growth of young women who consume their art.

The latest to emerge, Sexxy Red, burst onto the scene with her hit song, “Pound Town,” a song in which the St. Louis artist let the audience know the color of her private parts during the chorus.

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While some may disagree with her lyrical content, she has been able to change her life through art.

Change her life

Halle Barrett, 24, a Fayetteville native, is looking to change her life and the lives of those around her.

Barrett was raised in Sampson County until she entered the fourth grade. When she arrived inFayetteville, it was a culture shock. Her family settled down on Rosehill Road and a young, timid Halle learned quickly to adapt to her environment.

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She was used to being surrounded by her family in Sampson County. Her biggest challenge was making friends because she considered herself to be socially awkward.

As a student at E.E. Smith High School, she opted for poetry, speech and debate instead of rap.

After graduating at the age of 17, Barrett enrolled in Fayetteville State University for one semester. That semester was abruptly halted by Hurricane Matthew. Barrett and other students in the dormitory were sent home while flood damage was repaired.

During this time, she began exploring employment options.

Ultimately, she ended up enlisting in the Army. Eventually, she was stationed at FortCampbell. Parts of Fort Campbell are in Kentucky and the other parts are in Tennessee.

It was here that Barrett began her rap career under the name JuicyMa.

Help from her battle buddies

Initially, she had no plans of becoming a rapper. It was the motivation and partial financialbacking of her battle buddies that prompted her to go to the studio and record her first song,“Remember,” and uploaded the track to YouTube.

While she has no definitive answer as to why she added “Ma” on to her name, she knew she wanted to set herself apart from the average female artist.Her friends already called her “Juicy," but she would adopt “Ma” once she began performing live.

However, she does not have kids. Being one of five children helped Barrett to learn to stand out.

The young soldier retired early due to medical reasons. Though she began cultivating a fanbasein Tennessee and Kentucky, she was homesick and missed her family. She returned home to Fayetteville and delved deeper into her art.

However, everyone was not receptive to some of her music. Like some of her predecessors, she has been met with criticism about some of her explicit lyrics. In addition, her stageperformance is reminiscent of the City Girls and Meg The Stallion.

Losing one of her biggest supporters; becoming vulnerable

Barrett, the retired veteran, is the opposite of JuicyMa. A typical day is spent at work or searchingfor ways to expand her brand.

On Nov. 9, 2022, she lost one of her biggest supporters, her father, Jerry Barrett. His death affected her mentally, physically, and emotionally. On the surface, Barrett held it together. However, she was crushed and searching for answers as well as purpose. She channeled those emotions into her latest project.

Barrett is hesitant because she has never made herself vulnerable in her art. On this first official project, she looks inward to reconnect with herself as well as show her audience the person behind the artist.

Barrett understands that she is pre-judged by her JuicyMa persona.

However, she wants supporters to understand that she is not to be typecast. Like Halle Berry, Halle Barrett is looking to shift perspective as to who she is as an artist and a person.

To stay updated with Barrett’s growth as an artist, follow her on Instagram @officialjuicyma or @sheis.juicy or contact her via email (officialjuicymabooking@gmail.com).

Salute to Halle and every activist getting active. Peace.

Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com.