Siya

Michele Andrea Sherman|, better known by her stage name Siya, is an American rapper. In 2012, she signed with Tank's R&B Money label imprint. Quotes Being one of the first mainstream openly lesbian emcees came with some challenges. Most of them being industry related. Coming up I was expected to dress a certain way or reference men in my lyrics knowing that wasn’t who I was. I was rejected many times because I refused to conform to please music executives. Ultimately it caused me to lose many opportunities but I was ok with that as long as I remained true to me for me. I opened a lot of doors for others who came after me even if it was at the expense of my own talent being overlooked. At least I know I played a pivotal part in Hip-Hop. I’m a firm believer that my upbringing has the most to do with my success. Being raised by my grandmother I inherited many traits from her. People often tell me I’m wise beyond age or that I have an old soul. I take pride in that. My grandmother who is more like my mother instilled in me values I could have never learned in the streets (although I fell victim to my environment) I remained grounded. Humble yet stern. Kind-hearted and filled with empathy but far from a pushover. This industry is not for the faint of heart but all of who I am giveS me the advantage of being more relatable and personable. I’m human just like the rest of the world. I highlight that in my music. Life & Work with Siya;Retrieved on June 15, 2022 I was a tomboy growing up, always around the boys in the projects, always up to no good. My favorite moment was when they flew my mother out in Season 2 to spend my birthday with me. That was the first time I spent a birthday with her in 20 years. It was cool that they captured the moment on television. I try to see her as often as possible. She’s just an overall strong black woman; she stepped up when my parents weren’t able to because of my mother’s drug addiction and my father being in prison. I definitely learned a lot from her. Being a woman is harder in the music industry. I don’t think being gay or my sexuality has affected me anymore. People are more open to it. But in such a male-dominated industry women have to prove that they can hold their own, bar for bar. I wanted to show the versatility I have musically. I wanted to be able to give the fans both sides of me: singing, rapping, doing lyrical music, keeping it street… just giving everyone what they deserve. But also, I wanted to show that I am my only competition. I’m a firm believer in you becoming your worst enemy over time. Meet Siya: Brooklyn Girl With A Chip On Her Shoulder;By DANNY SCHWARTZ on November 23, 2022 External links Category:Rappers from the United States Category:Songwriters from the United States Category:Living people Category:1987 births Category:Women from the United States Category:Women born in the 1980s Category:African Americans Category:People from California