MC Debbie D

Debbie D is a Pioneer MC and one of the Mothers of Hip Hop Culture Born in Harlem New York Debbie D honed her oratorical skills as a child while singing speaking and writing poems in church and afterschool programs As a teen she relocated to the Morrisania Section of the South Bronx during the height of gangs violence and urban decay but also the rise of Hip Hop In 1977 Debbie D would hit the mic as one of hip hops earliest female Emcees Later as the only female in an all male crew she performed shows with DJ Patty Duke Jazzy 5 until the crew disbanded Self titled the Grand Mistress because of her lyrical skills in 1981 Debbie D stepped on stage as hip hops First Female Soloist shattering the glass ceiling for women rappers Accompanied by a female DJ on cassette tapes MC Debbie D could be heard utilizing her lyrical skill bodacious voice and showmanship in male dominated battles and performances to emerge as New Yorks No 1 female rapper a feat she would achieve without a rap record While building her reputation in hip hop simultaneously Debbie D earned an Associates of Arts Degree and was employed as a Legal Secretary in affluent NYC law firms With a lucrative income Debbie D a Fly Girl is first to brand couture clothing into her rap performances prior to its popularity today In 1984 Debbie D appeared in Beat Street with Us Girls a pioneer rap trio and the first female rappers to appear in a motion film Their song Us Girls Can Boogie Too which appeared on the movie soundtrack became a catalyst inspiring girls worldwide to become involved in hip hop The trio also recorded New York City Breakers the first rap record for Bboys Shortly after Debbie D resumed her career as a solo rapper and recorded Tom Dick and Harry and The Other Woman She was also a member of the legendary Juice Crew who recorded Evolution Debbie Ds rap highlights abolitionist Harriet Tubman Today Debbie D is a Hip Hop ScholarHistorian and uses her knowledge as a pioneer to converse on the origin of hip hop complemented by her specialty as a Historical Flyer Expert Flyerologist As an artist Debbie D is esteemed as the first Pioneer In Residence at NJPACs Hip Hop Program specializing in Rap and Performance and also serves as a Teaching Artist throughout NJ Public Schools Academically Debbie D holds six earned degrees including a PhD She is an Ordained Reverend and the first rapper turned preacher Residing in Northern New Jersey she is presently working on a memoir