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HIP-HOP
Princess rap
BY NINA WILLDORF

Princess Superstar, a white Jewish rapper, has busted onto the scene with her spicy blend of hip-swinging beats and potty-mouthed rhymes ("This pussy got four stars in Zagat attack it"). With her hit "Bad Babysitter," her team effort with Kool Keith, and her signature white-trash sexpot look, Princess Superstar will be slinking around on-stage at the Middle East on Monday to perform songs from her newest album, Princess Superstar Is.

Watch out, kids. This girl’s "kinkier than pubic hair."

Q: How did you get started rapping?

A: I started playing guitar and I started joining bands. And then I started experimenting on a four-track and rhyming, making beats. People aren’t used to what I do, they don’t know how to categorize me. I’m a female MC. I do hip-hop, rock, and electronic; I smush it all together.

Q: How’s the album selling?

A: In Europe, it’s insane. It’s number 11 on the charts with "Bad Babysitter." It’s more of an underground thing here, which is great.

Q: Does your message translate into your real life? What’s dating like?

A: My message in my record isn’t just about sex. It’s about being a strong woman. If you’re talking about going out and having sex every night, then no.

Q: How do men react when you tell them you’re a rapper?

A: Sometimes they’re, like, a bit dismissive. Sometimes they’re into it. Sometimes they think I probably suck.

Q: Do you have good groupies?

A: Yeah.

Q: Who?

A: I have such a mixed crowd. I have, like, total gay-fashion-y next to hip-hop kids, so I really don’t have a typical fan. In England, it’s super-weird: I have 10-to-15-year-old screaming kids. In America, it’s a smarter, more intelligent, older crowd. It’s funny. I’m not gay, but I have a huge gay audience, lots of lesbians.

Q: Is there anything that would make you embarrassed?

A: Yeah. The thing is, in a way, being vulnerable is embarrassing. For me, that’s the most embarrassing. Sex? Whatever. We’ve all heard everything before.

Q: What does your grandma think?

A: Both of them are alive. We played them a clean version of "Bad Babysitter." They loved it! They’re like, "Ohmygod, gorgeous." They’re like, "Ohmygod, she’s a big stawwr."

Q: How did you hook up with Kool Keith?

A: On my last album, we did a skit together. I was talking about how men in hip-hop are obsessed with women’s asses. I wanted a male ass on my cover. He really played along. Then I was like, "Let’s do a song together."

Q: I read somewhere that you’re really a shy person. Is that true?

A: Yeah, sometimes I really am, especially with boys. I dunno. Once I get to know someone, I’m like a hellcat. But I can be very quiet.

Q: So is this all an act?

A: It’s definitely an act. But it’s also in me. And I can also trigger it when I need.

Q: What’s the best compliment someone could every pay you?

A: That I’m completely original and innovative and that there’s nobody else really like me that’s out there.

Q: Worst insult?

A: That I’m getting by on my tits.

Q: Anything else?

A: I’m looking forward to playing Boston. It’s going to be hot!

Princess Superstar will play downstairs at the Middle East on Monday, April 29. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 on the day of the event. Call (617) 864-EAST.

Issue Date: April 25 - May 2, 2002
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