[INTERVIEW] Lil Mama Explains Why She’s Been Silent On Ferguson Protests

can do to actually help. What I could do that would change, you know, whats happening, because its not just Ferguson, its Florida, its New York, its LA, its all over. Our sons are being murdered by police officers, and they’re getting away with murder, whether it be “Oh, we’re gonna suspend you for a week, we’re gonna take your gun,” and then you can come back to work. Its ridiculous. It sits really heavy on me right now, to be honest with you, and when I see Mike Brown, I see my brothers, I see my younger brother, when I see Trayvon Martin, who shares a birthday with one of my younger brothers, I see him, and I’m at a point now, where I’m scared for all of you [guys], I’m scared for us, because as women we’re facing challenges where we have voices in the media who don’t really represent our souls, our spirits, the things that we believe in, the things that we wanna say. And its ok to have a good time, but its like, its all play, and there is no teaching going on. There is no message being sent like “Hey, I’m having a good time but, protect yourself.” My frustration goes beyond this one event, and it sits very uneasy with me.

theJasmineBRAND.com: I know that right now you’re being managed by [MC] Lyte, so tell us how that collaboration came into play, and how is that going?

Lil Mama: A lot of people would compare me to her, or compare her to me. I think when we met, we had an instant connection for mentorship. I think mentorship can be great sometimes. There were other people in the industry that I really look up to. I look up to Jada Pinkett. She provides me with mentorship here and there. Regina King, Wendy Raquel — people compare me to Wendy Raquel a lot, and she’s embraced me, but with Lyte, its like, a constant force, and its something that couldn’t be forced, it had to be very organic, and thats how I think it all happened with her genuine interest in helping me.

theJasmineBRAND.com: How does Lil Mama feel about Lil Mama? The little girl from New York, who’s living her dream. You’ve done the movies, you’ve done the E.P.s, you’ve done dance, you’ve choreographed, you’re on this red carpet tonight- how does Lil Mama feel about Lil Mama’s journey?

Lil Mama: I feel like I’m just getting started. I had a few bumps in the road, and if i could turn back the hands of time, I wouldn’t change any of my obstacles, I would change my reaction, because its not that serious, and you gotta get up, and you gotta fight.

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