In this episode of the Ladies of Hip-Hop Podcast, we sit down with Jackie Lopez, aka Miss Funk, the brilliant co-founder of Versastyle Dance Company. Together, we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the dance world during the pandemic. Jackie shares candid insights on the origins of Versastyle, its mission to uplift communities through Hip-Hop, and her journey as a mother in the dance world.

We explore the unique challenges and triumphs we face as Black and Brown women in the industry, from breaking barriers to balancing motherhood and artistry. This conversation celebrates resilience, legacy-building, and the power of creating spaces where our stories and contributions are seen and valued. It’s a powerful testament to the strength and brilliance of women in Hip-Hop.

@missfunk79

@versastylela

versastyledance.org

Sound Bites

"Dance culture saved my life in many ways."

"I want to create opportunities for my community."

"I hug my younger self for the journey."

"I want Oprah to know about VersaStyle."

"Family and community bring me the most joy."

"I never, ever did anything unless it was me, sounded like me, looked like me..." -Ursula Rucker

Chatting with the incomparable @urucker about her work, life, and working together at UW-Madison.

Ursula Rucker is an interdisciplinary poet, performer, and recording artist whose work reflects on personal history, family, and place. She characterizes her work as situated “along the edge of the terrains of poetry.” Rucker has released five albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists outside of the field of poetry, including The Roots, musicians and Pew Fellows Jamaaladeen Tacuma and King Britt, and, most recently, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Clarence Williams III. She has toured with her live performance memoir, My Father’s Daughter, which she describes as “90 minutes of self-truth and discovery.” In 2017, she collaborated with Nigerian sound and installation artist Emeka Ogboh to create Logan Squared: Ode to Philly, which featured an epic poem by Rucker that reflected Philadelphians’ voices and visions for the city. The work was presented as part of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Center-supported, citywide Monument Lab exhibition. A Philly 360 Creative Ambassador and recipient of Leeway Foundation’s Transformation Award, Rucker is the subject of the 2008 documentary Ursula Rucker: Poet, directed by Michael J. Dennis.
#PhillyJawns

This is our first official Ladies Hip-Hop podcast episode hosted by myself Michele Byrd-McPhee a.k.a. the LadyByrd featuring two of our favorite crew members DJ Bizzy Brown and DJ Mariella discussing that DJ life.

Michele has danced in music videos, battled in the club scene and traveled along as the Hip-Hop dance culture exploded onto stages, in studios, and in theaters. Being one of the few women dancing alongside groups of men, she became increasingly aware of the narrow opportunities for women in Hip-Hop.⠀⠀Michele most recently celebrated 14 years of presenting Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival. Michele provides organization and artist consulting services; production management services and continues to be an advocate for the Hip-Hop dance community, especially for women.⠀⠀I've known Michele since I was a broke 20 year old intern in NYC. Michele took a chance on me and extends opportunities to women all over the world through her company, Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival. We celebrate you!⠀⠀

Check out @ladiesofhiphop for the 16th Annual Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival this June!⠀