Misa - Misa (1990)

Now for something a little different... Here is the first rap artist to come to the isle, Misa. (The Icy Blu profile on Milk Carton Popstars made me drag this out). Who is Misa? Who knows? Obviously she was signed to Motown as they tried to capitalize on the success of female rap artists like Salt N Pepa, with a twist - she was white! And a rapper! And signed to Motown! This was truly a recipe for disaster. Like Icy Blu and Tairrie B, the other two white female rappers of the time, no one could take her seriously, and her album flopped. She certainly isn't the best rapper. But her album is lots of fun in spite, or perhaps because, of it. It's pop rap at it's cheesiest, and it works (for me at least). Dig the rock edge of single "Shake The House" (go HERE for the maxi-single) and the almost house vibe of the brilliant "House Of Love", which uses a sample from Kraftwerk's "Musique Non-Stop". The odds were stacked against Misa in terms of success, but thankfully her legacy lingers on with those of us who love cheesy pop classics. Move over, Icy - Misa is in da house!

**UPDATE - An anonymous person has wrote in the Comments with the following info on Misa. Thanks! Perhaps if 'Missy' comes across this she'd like to refute some things? ;)

"Misa's name is actually Missy. She is my relative. We are not close but I know a lot about her. She lives in Wisconsin with her three children. The boy Jordan is an amazing soccer player and went to Italy to play. He is gonna be famous. Missy was married to a rich man named Paris who left her and she has no clue where he is. He is probably in another country or changed his identity because he is the person that sets up the computer systems for Microsoft and stuff like that. Missy has not done anything with music since her contract with Motown because when she was with them she began to get really cocky and made demands. Motown showed her how good she really was and did not promote her anymore. That is why the album did not come out. Sadly Missy thinks she still is a superstar and acts like she is all that. Her children do also. She was a great performer. So there you have it."

**UPDATE #2: Well, how exciting is it that Misa HERSELF wrote in the comments here, and girl wants to clear things up?! She's clearly not pleased with the anonymous person's message above, and I am very glad she cleared it up. And Misa, I meant you absolutely no disrespect. This blog is meant as a tribute to artists like yourself, not to mock you (though I'm sorry about the judgment on your rapping abilities - I do think you're good, but unfortunately this post was made in the beginning of this blog's creation and then it was admittedly a bit more mean spirited. Hell, girl, you got a record deal, so you must have some skills!). And I would never compare you to Vanilla Ice! I was comparing you to Icy Blu, another white female rapper who released an album around that time. I'm sure that she and Tairrie B were also serious about hip hop, but unfortunately the public was wary of white rappers - but I obviously never was! And no, I don't know you, but that's why I made the blog, to hopefully find out more about artists like you. So, sincerely, thanks for sharing, and know that many followers of this blog LOVE this album! Here's Misa's response:

"Wowwwwwww! Whoever anonymous 8/31 is, has no clue what the f&*# they are talking about. First of all, my name is not Missy and I have very few relatives I actually keep in any kind of contact with. Whoever you are, you are a hater talking smack about me... I was married, and I LEFT his sorry butt. Get that straight if you are gonna put my business out there. I do have beautiful kids now, and my kids by no means "think" they are all that-they are. They are beautiful, and talented. Maybe the world will see them, maybe not. Not important. Talking sh&* about my deal is funny too. NOBODY in my family was around when I was in LA. No one in my family knows about my music career. I left my contract because of mgmt/$$ issues. I decided not to go back in the business, no one else. Got tired of people telling me that I had to be something else to do hip hop. Non-believers. By the way, whoever owns this site, no one does know me because I chose that path after I left LA. I'm forgotten on purpose, because that is what I wanted. The business left a bad taste in my mouth. I actually rapped, Motown wanted me to go pop (that was another major issue). I was a dancer first, Soul Train. I danced underground my whole life, immersed in hip hop. I have a trail of being authentic in my love for hip hop. I was NOT an artist who woke up one morning and decided to do this music, i.e. Vanilla Ice. So, please don't compare me. You stated no one knows me, you don't either. Thanks for your partial compliments and I have never lived on a deserted island...M"

Video for Shake The House

Download Misa

1		Shake The House
2		I Want U Boy
3		The Good Stuff
4		Thin Line (Between Love And Hate)
5		Live N' Learn
6		The Way It Feels
7		Rap N' Roll
8		House Of Love
9		Goin' Gold
10		Special "EFX" Misamix