Brandi Raysor, aka Bzoe, is the founder of an entertainment company that provides a platform for independent artists, musicians, poets, and others to showcase their talents in a rich and diverse atmosphere. One of One missions is the celebration of being unique and honoring everyone’s individual brilliance. Bzoe hosts shows, scouts talent, writes music, and has a really big heart (because she’s a Leo). Bzoe, founder of the One of One Artistry LLC,  and I.S. Jones, editor-in-chief at the Encore Radio Show and Upcoming Hip Hop, came together to talk shop about being women, being emerging artist, and navigating New York City where roaches make up 1% of the city’s population.

I.S. Jones sat with her to chat before the show.

I.S. Jones: So let's get into it: as a woman who is masculine presenting or a woman with a lot of masculine energy, how do men approach you?

Bzoe: That's pretty funny because it’s extremely rare for men to approach me at least in a flirtatious way. Guys normally admire my style and say something I'm wearing is fly or they don't really approach me at all. Majority of my encounters with guys are due to networking.

I.S.:  Do you get hit on by men? I ask this largely because there is a pervasive history of rappers fetishizing lesbians.

Bzoe: I do get hit on by men sometimes but it’s rare. I tend to get hit on by men more when I'm with someone I'm dating. Guys tend to assume lesbians want to have threesomes, it’s weird. The guys that do hit on me are like older men who would hit on anyone or the guys that you can tell don't date a lot.

I.S.: How did come into the music / entertainment circle?

Bzoe: How did I come into music? Well the question should be: “how did music come into me?”. Well naturally, I love music, and as a child I wrote lyrics for healing purposes. For a long time, in my life, music was the only thing that made me feel good consistently. Music is something that couldn’t hurt me, [music] couldn’t lie to me or break my heart. I played percussion instruments from 8th-12th grade and attended Tour College for Audio Engineering. Music is my passion and I just love to release through music. As far as me coming into the entertainment circle that happened organically as well. After I finished college for audio engineering, I needed a job, and I had absolutely no option so I went head first into the construction industry. Big mistake because I was too tired to be an active artist; I was so depressed because of it too. I spent three and a half years working construction before I got injured. While injured, I started attending all of these events with my friends and I kind of slipped right back into where I'm destined to be. I honestly believed I'd retire a New York City Union Carpenter, and now I’m just very grateful to be a part of what I truly love and that's music.

I.S.: I know you rap but don't want to be identified as a rapper, why is that?

Bzoe: I do rap, but I’m not a rapper. To be honest, it takes time to determine what you want to do with the life you have. I began writing music at 10, and I'm now 25. I think right now I just outgrew rapping and I feel like I can do so much more for myself and the people as a producer and talent scout. But who knows? I might one day get really sad and need to make a track and want to release it. Like I mentioned before: I really write for healing purposes and I’m entirely too happy to compose.

I.S.: What do you think women in entertainment aren't celebrated to the level that men are? Why is it that other women rappers (for example) are compared to Nicki Minaj still...?

Bzoe: Well I can answer that from multiple perspectives. First: woman aren't respect just generally; it’s just always been harder for woman to do anything even vote for a president, or pick and choose who they want to marry. So I really don't expect to see a difference in the hip hop community. Especially when it’s male-dominated. For example, imagine how male cheerleaders feel, you know…? Anywhere you go and you’re the minority it’s going to be tough.

Don't miss the first ever Who You Calling A Bitch concert August 23.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gj2g0nD7cI