LISTEN TO "1990 RAW" FREE ON SOUNDCLOUD! "ONE GOD" DROPS 8/30!
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‘Show Me State’ native, Bates, has been setting booths on fire and blazing stages since she started her music career. Soon, Bates’ edgy demeanor and nonconformist attitude would give her the extra edge needed to gain respect in a male-dominated and often misogynistic hip-hop industry.
The pivot in Bates’ career occurred when she me R&B singer, Notes, who introduced her to T.R.U.E., an indie producer who was also striving to establish his own record label. Soon after, Bates joined STL’s super-charged group, H.A.R.D Asylum. Together, the group released Tha Front (2012) and followed it with Tha Committed(2014) - a double-disc of bold and beautiful bars packed with aggression, cockiness and struggle.
The group became popular almost as fast as it lost wind. Life matters sent members in different directions, leaving Bates rebranding herself for another solo career. At the start of 2015, she was awarded ‘Best Female Hip-Hop Artist’ in the St. Louis Underground Music Awards and was featured in many STL publications. She followed her success with The Great DeBates (2015), a subject-by-subject mixtape that addressed everything from the commercialization of hip-hop radio stations, to the shooting death of Mike Brown at the hands of the Ferguson police.
That following Fall, Bates made another powermove. She released “Tell Jesus,” a video with great direction, raw emotion, six vocalists and TRUE On Tha TRAC on the beat. The video became an STL underground staple.
At the turn of the year, Bates was awarded ‘Best Video’ for “Tell Jesus,” ‘Best Female Hip-Hop Artist’ for the second time and became the first woman to take home ‘Artist of the Year’ in the history of the Slumfest Awards. This sent Bates on a creative frenzy, making sure her next project would wow her fans.
Summer 2016 Bates released For Colored Folk. The project took the city by storm. Every local paper and magazine covered the project before and after its release.
“For Colored Folk is a navigation through spiritual, social and political minefields — a crossroads of intersectional issues that she attacks head-on while aiming straight for the gut. Throughout its fifteen cuts, Bates never meets the audience halfway. Not a single track comes sugar-coated, and she spits with a brash vibe that respects the time and intelligence of her peers and fans alike.” - Riverfront Times
90For Colored Folk went on to win 'Album of the Year' in the 2017 Slumfest Music Awards. The project also topped ULSTN Radio’s best projects above some serious competition. Everything from the packaging to the production raised the bar for St. Louis rappers.
Strange Woman has quickly become one of the most replayed, no-skip albums of the decade. Hiphop Dx called it the best album they've heard in the last five years after they made Bates the first indie artist from St. Louis to be premiered on their wide-reaching platform. Many other music critics and bloggers have nothing but great things to say about the project. It's filled with bold, fearless and festive bars while Bates lyrically dances all over beats from TRUE On Tha TRAC, Muzic Boy, Groundbreaking Beatz and a few other hip-hop heavy-hitters. Almost in total contrast to For Colored Folk, Bates proves how much of an unpredictable, unrestricted Strange Woman she is.
Bringing it up to present-day, Bates recently releases a free mixtape called 1990 Raw that showcases Bates' lyrical flexibility on all instrumentals from the 90's, ranging from Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" to NWA's "Express Yourself." Each track has its own flavor, while still encompassing those gritty and analog sounds of the 90's. Bates didn't compromise one for the other. Instead she brought in features from songstress Kourtney Nicole, Mz Tigga and even a surprise feature from her in-house producer TRUE On Tha TRAC - their intricate styles helped make 1990 Raw a nostalgic and historical landmark in her career.
On the wings of 1990 Raw, Bates is sure to have a smooth flight toward the release of her much anticipated LP, One God. Produced entirely by national super-producer Major 88 Keys, One God is set to shock the world with its relentless delivery and amazingly versatile beat selection. The 10-track album embodies what it's like to be a female emcee at the top of your career. It's powerful, energetic and a catchall album that has something for all ages and creeds. One God will be available on all online stores and streaming services August 30th 2018.
‘Show Me State’ native, Bates, has been setting booths on fire and blazing stages since she started her music career. Soon, Bates’ edgy demeanor and nonconformist attitude would give her the extra edge needed to gain respect in a male-dominated and often misogynistic hip-hop industry.
The pivot in Bates’ career occurred when she me R&B singer, Notes, who introduced her to T.R.U.E., an indie producer who was also striving to establish his own record label. Soon after, Bates joined STL’s super-charged group, H.A.R.D Asylum. Together, the group released Tha Front (2012) and followed it with Tha Committed(2014) - a double-disc of bold and beautiful bars packed with aggression, cockiness and struggle.
The group became popular almost as fast as it lost wind. Life matters sent members in different directions, leaving Bates rebranding herself for another solo career. At the start of 2015, she was awarded ‘Best Female Hip-Hop Artist’ in the St. Louis Underground Music Awards and was featured in many STL publications. She followed her success with The Great DeBates (2015), a subject-by-subject mixtape that addressed everything from the commercialization of hip-hop radio stations, to the shooting death of Mike Brown at the hands of the Ferguson police.
That following Fall, Bates made another powermove. She released “Tell Jesus,” a video with great direction, raw emotion, six vocalists and TRUE On Tha TRAC on the beat. The video became an STL underground staple.
At the turn of the year, Bates was awarded ‘Best Video’ for “Tell Jesus,” ‘Best Female Hip-Hop Artist’ for the second time and became the first woman to take home ‘Artist of the Year’ in the history of the Slumfest Awards. This sent Bates on a creative frenzy, making sure her next project would wow her fans.
Summer 2016 Bates released For Colored Folk. The project took the city by storm. Every local paper and magazine covered the project before and after its release.
“For Colored Folk is a navigation through spiritual, social and political minefields — a crossroads of intersectional issues that she attacks head-on while aiming straight for the gut. Throughout its fifteen cuts, Bates never meets the audience halfway. Not a single track comes sugar-coated, and she spits with a brash vibe that respects the time and intelligence of her peers and fans alike.” - Riverfront Times
90For Colored Folk went on to win 'Album of the Year' in the 2017 Slumfest Music Awards. The project also topped ULSTN Radio’s best projects above some serious competition. Everything from the packaging to the production raised the bar for St. Louis rappers.
Strange Woman has quickly become one of the most replayed, no-skip albums of the decade. Hiphop Dx called it the best album they've heard in the last five years after they made Bates the first indie artist from St. Louis to be premiered on their wide-reaching platform. Many other music critics and bloggers have nothing but great things to say about the project. It's filled with bold, fearless and festive bars while Bates lyrically dances all over beats from TRUE On Tha TRAC, Muzic Boy, Groundbreaking Beatz and a few other hip-hop heavy-hitters. Almost in total contrast to For Colored Folk, Bates proves how much of an unpredictable, unrestricted Strange Woman she is.
Bringing it up to present-day, Bates recently releases a free mixtape called 1990 Raw that showcases Bates' lyrical flexibility on all instrumentals from the 90's, ranging from Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" to NWA's "Express Yourself." Each track has its own flavor, while still encompassing those gritty and analog sounds of the 90's. Bates didn't compromise one for the other. Instead she brought in features from songstress Kourtney Nicole, Mz Tigga and even a surprise feature from her in-house producer TRUE On Tha TRAC - their intricate styles helped make 1990 Raw a nostalgic and historical landmark in her career.
On the wings of 1990 Raw, Bates is sure to have a smooth flight toward the release of her much anticipated LP, One God. Produced entirely by national super-producer Major 88 Keys, One God is set to shock the world with its relentless delivery and amazingly versatile beat selection. The 10-track album embodies what it's like to be a female emcee at the top of your career. It's powerful, energetic and a catchall album that has something for all ages and creeds. One God will be available on all online stores and streaming services August 30th 2018.