"my name is Roxanne, but they call me SHANTE"

This post is devoted to female hip-hop artist ROXANNE SHANTE (Ph.D).

when Lolita Shante Gooden was born on November 9, 1969, her parents had no idea that they had brought a hip-hop pioneer and legend into

this world. a native new yorker, more specifically long island city (LIC), Lolita resided in the Queensbridge housing projects. Lolita entered the hip-hop game when she was just 14 years old as Shante. yes thats right 14. how did this come about? well, according to the story, one night 

while walking outside her builing in LIC she overheard three men

talking about how U.T.F.O cancelled thier appearence at a show they were promoting. those three men happened to be Tyrone Williams, disc jockey Mister Magic and producer Marley Marl-prominenticons in the 

hip hop buisness. when Shante offered to record an come-back to 

U.T.F.O's hit "Roxanne, Roxanne", the three took her up on her 

offer thus birthing the confrontational, boastful, and profane hit 

"Roxanne's Revenge". the hit swooped the record charts selling over 250,000 copies in NYC alone. now assuming the role of Roxanne Shante,

the young hip hop icon-tress dropped 102 additional answer records,

sparking the Roxanne Wars and affirming young Shante a permanent 

seat in the hip hop hall of fame. as a founding memeber of the Juice

Crew, with Marley Marl and DJ Mr Magic, Shante showed off her sick 

freestyling skills (i.e "Roxanne's Revenge" which was reportedly written and recorded in one take). Some of Shante's hits include "Loosey's Rap" 

with Rick James, "Have a Nice Day", "Go On Girl" "Queen Pin" and 

"Straight Razor". after 10 years in the hip hop game (1984-1994), 

working with some of the most iconic of artist including Big Daddy 

Kane, M.C. Shan, and Steady B, Roxanne Shante threw the towel in 

and retired from the recording industry. she now devoted her time and 

energy to reciving a higher education, and earned her Ph.D in 

psychology at the prestigous Cornell University (paid for by her 

record label-an unusual contract clause) and eventually running her 

own practice. although she is no longer a recording artist she still stays involved by making occasional guest appearences, live 

preformances and serving as a mentor to young female hip hop artists.

Roxanne Shante's career has come full circle and she is not only an 

iconic artist, but an amazing woman as well.