STREAMING AUDIO INTERVIEW

Although the seed of Yo! Majesty was planted way back in the late 90s, it’s only this year that the duo of Shunda K and Jwl. B have found themselves – quite literally – breaking through onto the global stage. Hip hop is a male dominated scene, no question, so it’s a story in itself they’ve made it this far. But when you consider they’re also out and proud lesbians, that really takes things up a notch.

“Usually with Yo! Majesty I get all this love,” Shunda rattled off at a million miles an hour when speaking inthemix recently. “But this past Saturday when I started this night it’s like, I was gettin’ the cold shoulder! Niggers weren’t feeling me! And I’m like ‘damn’... I felt like it’s because I’m gay. That’s it! If I would have been up there in a miniskirt, niggers would have been all over me but they was hatin’ because I’m gay.”

They’ve developed something of a cult reputation with their debut album Futuristically Speaking… Never Be Afraid, in no small part due to the list of producers they had lining up to work on it. Basement Jaxx, Radio Clit, Deekline, Sunship, CLP, Mercedes and Hard Feelings UK all contributed to the album, making it one of the year’s most essential listens, and this summer you’ll get the chance to experience the girls in the flesh. As the album’s title suggest, don’t be afraid.

Yo! Majesty’s album Futuristically Speaking… Never Be Afraid is out now through Domino/EMI. You can catch the girls when they tour Australia this summer:

Dec 31 – Pyramid Rock Festival, Victoria
Jan 1 – Field Day, Sydney
Jan 3 – Street Party, Melbourne
Jan 4 – Days Like This, Sydney