There is perhaps no better word to describe rapper cupcaKke (née Elizabeth Harris) other than "spitfire." This is partly due to her brazen, often vulgar, lyrics which have propelled her into a league of her own, but mostly because she, well, spits fire. Despite opting to remain independent, cupcaKke (who is also her own assistant and manager) has taken the rap game by storm, currently releasing her fifth studio album — no small feat for a 20 year-old from the South Side of Chicago. We caught up with cupcaKke to find out what it takes to make it and her dream collab.
When (and where) are you most creative?
Most creative in my room...it's good vibes there.
How did you get your start?
I started writing by doing poetry in churches. Then a guy told me to just try switching it over to rap and that's what I did.
What are you working on right now? Can you describe any current projects or activities?
I'm working on my fifth studio album now. I have to say it's the most hardest but I know the outcome will be great.
What is success to you?
Success is everything I'm the type to wake up and feel bad if I'm just sitting in bed all day because I feel like time is not to be wasted and I feel better when my day is productive the best feeling is feeling accomplished.
Do critics matter?
Critics don't matter, we all have opinions whether it's good or bad.
Obviously you've seen success in your career but can you tell us about a time you failed?
There's times I fail in trying to do things myself with bookings, emails, wardrobe, phone calls, touring meetings, because everything is a learning process. I'm my own manager/assistant/everything all in one, but I push to get it done and it gets done at the end of the day and that's what matters
What advice do you have for someone looking to break into your industry?
People that want to make it in this industry got to have a strong backbone, stay focused and make the studio your home. This industry will make you or break you...YOUR CHOICE.
How do you plan to build on your success so far? Is there anything you fear will set you back?
At this point I don't feel like nothing can set me back but myself. Yeah I'm dropping albums back to back, but I can do more and that's what I'm aiming for. The more consistent the better.
What was the first moment you knew you were going to be able to do this as a job – not necessarily your first big break or success, but the first time you thought, "This is it, this is my career"?
I knew I can do this as a job when I made "Vagina." When I put it on iTunes and I received my first check, I knew if a few would support me then many more will.
What's been the biggest choice you've had to make in your career so far?
Biggest choice I made so far is to stay independent and I'm glad with that decision.
What is your morning routine like?
My morning routines is mostly shower and movies lol, then studio and end the night listening to Rihanna and Chance.
What are you most excited about for the future? (Can be about your career, your personal life, the world - anything.)
I'm excited about doing collabs. I really want a Rihanna collab badddddddddd.
Are you good at receiving advice? What is the best advice you've ever received?
Best advice I received is to learn how to say no.
What makes a person beautiful? What makes you beautiful?
What makes people beautiful is their gestures and their heart. LOOKS DON'T MEAN SHIT. It's all about the gestures and that's what makes me beautiful too.
What are you most proud of?
What I am most proud of is remaining true to myself and not changing.
Check out the rest of our Beautiful People here.Photography by Tarik Carroll
Styling by Jonatan Mejia
Hair: Andrita Renee
MUA: Cris Hidalgo
Producer: Joshua Althina
From Your Site Articles