Divine Secrets of the Yo Yo Sisterhood

When Hot Press calls Yo! Majesty’s Shunda K., she’s in her hometown of Plant City, Florida, jus’ flippin’ burgers. “My family has a spot at this local store called The Moon,” she explains. “We got everything from soul food to fried food, man!”

In a way, it’s unsurprising to hear that the exponent of sonic hip-hop is a woman of many talents; the one-time amateur basketball star is off to New York next week to host her new club night, and excitedly describes a forthcoming solo project of mixtapes based around OutKast instrumentals. Her main focus at the moment, however, is her partnership with fellow Floridian Jwl. B under the Yo! Majesty banner. Having just released their debut album Futuristically Speaking.. Never Be Afraid, their brand of fiercely eclectic and often provocative hip-hop hasn’t gone unnoticed. Then again, when you’re rapping about your experiences of being a lesbian Christian (which both members are), it’s hard not to stand out from the crowd.
“It’s time for women to step up now, y’know?” she enthuses on the surge of popularity currently being enjoyed by females within the genre. “These days, you have what you call independent women. It’s like ‘Hey, I can hold it down on the mic too, and I can talk about real stuff – things and situations that will enable me to teach the people.’”
That’s not to say that all is rosy in the kingdom of Yo! Majesty; though they’re one of the few hip-hop acts signed to Domino, Shunda speaks of her frustration at the label’s unwillingness to let her release solo material. There’s a huge level of tension in the band, too: she accuses Jwl B. of causing unnecessary turmoil by abandoning a recent tour and ‘creating negativity’ within the camp. To that effect, she says, she’s charged with keeping the group afloat and the pair barely talk.
“We both know what’s expected of us, we got this album and you know you need to make sure that you have your verses memorised,” she says when I ask how that hostility will affect their forthcoming UK and Irish tour. “The energy that Jwl and I have, it just comes natural. It clicks when we come to performing. But whether she shows up or not, I’m still gonna keep it movin’, just like I did before. I have a vision for my life, and I’ve seen the greatness I’m gonna obtain in the future, and I can’t let no devil in Hell stop that.”
It’d take more than a devil to prevent this woman from ploughing her own furrow; her infectious zest for life is both endearing and admirable, and when she speaks of her plans for Yo! Majesty and beyond, it’s almost like she’s addressing a crowd at the Lincoln Memorial.
“It’s like, ‘Get-up-off-yo-ass-and-let’s-FIGHT!’ Ain’t no excuses, man, life is what you make it. Just step out on yo’ faith and do it.”