12 Questions With Rapper Neelam Hakeem: Misogynistic Hip-Hop, Modesty, and Subverting Rap Culture
Neelam Hakeem is a Seattle born, multi-talented spoken word poet, former medical claims analyst, mother, rapper, and fierce advocate of women’s rights. The rapper moved from Seattle to LA with her mother when she was 15 after her parents got divorced, her first day in south LA she recalls was on September 11th, 2001. A young Hakeem had to stay in shelters with her mother and often surrounded by gang shootings near her school.
The 31-year-old mother of two now champions the importance of family values and the necessity of finding allies in our Muslim brothers. Often illustrated in her videos directed by her husband of 8 years Marquis Henri, using strong symbols and iconography of beautifully dressed black men as her protective backdrop. Hakeem references the support she has received from her husband who encouraged her to begin her social media evolution to inspire other women to modesty, and her journey into Islam and the experience of her conversion drawing attention to the struggles of wearing a hijab. There is also a strong presence of militant symbolism and themes through her videos when referencing the importance of young black boys and girls learning to protect themselves against violence.
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She has paved the way for poets to find strength in motion by intricately weaving themes of identity, politics, religious, and social issues masterfully into her work. The civil rights advocate also uses her platform to draw attention to issues affecting black Muslims, and marginalised and oppressed communities from across the world.
Her work is admired by many names in the industry including Will Smith, Diddy, Erykah Badu, and The Shade Room, who reposted one of her videos giving it exposure from multiple platforms with a combined following of 47.7 million followers, opening a door into the mainstream industry for the lyricist. She has already written and published many successful videos produced by her husband and performed at the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards alongside rap legends Erykah Badu, Banji Yara, Bristeves, and Oranicuhh.
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Hakeem has been a source of inspiration to the members of the Amaliah team, a role model and change maker through a quietly transformative art form that not many Muslim women have dared venture into. Amaliah recently touched base with the artist since her incredible success to talk hijab, social justice, rap recap, and all else in between.
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1. What significance has social media played in your journey, both on a personal level and for your rap career?
Social media is honestly what influenced me to wear modest fashion. On Muslim women’s day, I went through the hashtag and became inspired by all the beautiful and confident women and girls who displayed their modesty in such a gorgeous way. That day I decided to dress modestly and wear the hijab, wraps, and turbans. When my platform grew and girls continued to reach out to me telling me how much I inspired them, l felt compelled to do more with my platform and speak on issues going on in the world. I wrote my first spoken word which later turned into a rap. I was shocked by the feedback. It was reposted by tons of people including the Shade Room and Diddy and my audience grew tremendously. I wrote another one and the Shade Room and Diddy posted it again causing the same results. I was inspired to continue to speak on the issues and make music and I feel so fulfilled when I do so.
View this post on Instagram@diddy has my back and I love him for that! #family #rocnationbrunch #rocnation
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2. What did it mean to be recognised by those like Will Smith?
When Will Smith posted my video I was completely shocked, mainly because I was getting over the fact that Erykah Badu and so many others posted it. The fact that he called it hot and posted my lyrics was amazing to me and I couldn’t believe how much my audience grew and the opportunities that followed. It was indeed a blessing.
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3. Do you feel like you are in part subverting how some may see rap regarding the portrayal of women?
Most definitely! Hip hop can be really degrading when it comes to women and young girls, should know that we have the power to steer the wheel in whatever direction we see fit. I believe my platform is a reflection of this and we are just getting started.
4. Did you ever feel self-conscious when putting your work out? and what advice would you give to those who do?
Absolutely! Every time I’m about to put something out I have a bit of anxiety and nervousness. However, I just say a prayer and just let go. I literally throw my hands up like “it’s out there! But I stand by what I said or did so who cares what anyone thinks!” My advice is to be your authentic self. If you like your work then no one else’s opinion matters.
Everyone else has posted the Neelam Hakeem video (including Will Smith and Diddy) so I might as well do it. #NeelamHakeem has bars and is beautiful yet covered up and still got props. Hopefully she could be the start of something #HipHop #BarsMatter https://t.co/9b1M5Wcnpx
— P. Takin Over For The 99 And The 2000 🤘🏿🕊 (@chillin662) July 31, 2018
5. We love your rap recap and feel like it delivers important messages and world news in a different way to those that may not typically engage with such headlines. What do you think is the biggest barrier that stops individuals engaging with politics and why is it important to be aware?
People are not politicians so politics can be confusing. It’s designed to be that way. In my rap recaps, I like to talk about current events and give my perspective as a way to simplify things. Politicians are good with words and raising money.
6. What role do you see your work play in pushing conversations around politics and social justice?
Being aware of what has changed and what hasn’t is an easy way to determine if the politicians are real are not. I offer a truth in hopes that we can see through the tricks and unify to do for ourselves what so many have failed to do for us.
Mobbin through DTLA like….. #happymonday #illbetheking #neelam https://t.co/ss8ZZZaj4A pic.twitter.com/ml2LO5Ebzm
— Official_Neelam (@official_neelam) November 5, 2018
7. What are the values that guide your work?
Truth, being real, and speaking for those who may not have a voice.
8. Your videos are always visually striking and an art form in themselves, what do you hope to convey? You often use powerful military iconography in your videos, why do you feel this is an important aspect to unpick?
People in militaries are trained for life and death situations. Every topic I bring up is life and death and I’m as serious about these issues as a soldier is serious about their mission. So my videos reflect what time it is.
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9. Which artists inspired you growing up?
I was inspired by Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, the roots, Jill Scott, Aundre 3000, dead prez, mos def, Kanye, Jay z, Tupac.
10. What do you see wrong in the world at the moment and how do you hope your rapping and message can change that?
There’s just so much injustice, inequality, and lack of true freedom for all. I just want to speak about issues that seem to be ignored. I’m looking to speak to that place in a person that will cause a change to these injustices.
BTS of some of my favorite moments shooting #illbetheking wearing my favorite fit by @DulcebySafiya 🖤
Be sure to click the LINK https://t.co/ss8ZZZaj4A if you haven’t already!
🎥 @D_Roe 🎬 @marquis_henri #neelam pic.twitter.com/pTn7yZvggL— Official_Neelam (@official_neelam) November 2, 2018
11. How does your identity feed into your work?
My identity is my work. What I talk about, what I wear is all who I am and it’s all I present.
12. In your vogue interview, you spoke about how you never felt like you were entirely ready to commit to the hijab and that your hair was a crutch for you, what changed for you and what advice would you give to young women out there who struggle with the hijab?
What changed for me was looking at the hashtag on Muslim women’s day, to see that there are so many ways to be modest with your identity. There are “classic” hijabis, “rocker” hijabis, “urban” hijabis “fit” hijabis etc, the list just goes on and on. You can totally be yourself and I guess I didn’t realize that until that day.
Hanan
Hanan has a Masters in Media in the Middle East from SOAS University. Trainee of the Muslim Women in Media institute Annual Cohort at UC Davis, California. Her interests lie in ethical fashion, modern-day slavery, and when not making Youtube videos she is somewhere in between Ballet and Kickboxing. King Julian is her spirit animal.
