A CHANCE FOR FEMALE ARTISTS TO STORM THE STAGE
BY TIMOTHY WILSON
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 22, 2006; Page DZ03
You may never see their music videos on MTV's "Total Request Live," but the female artists who participated in the second annual Can a Sista Rock a Mic? festival want your attention. At the four-day event, which ended Sunday, more than 20 independent female artists performed in venues throughout the District for audiences eager for something beyond what mainstream radio and video outlets have.
"What they had to offer was good," said Larry Miller, who attended the final show at Eighteenth Street Lounge in Northwest Washington, which featured British soul artist Julie Dexter, District native Afi (pronounced ah-FEE) and singer-songwriter Nimat. "I like whatever's done well." The idea for the event stemmed from an Internet radio show in March 1999 that featured songs by female emcees and was hosted by festival founder Kimani Anku. When he began to manage Afi, Anku struggled with club owners and promoters to book shows for his artist and noticed other female artists having similar problems. "I [wanted] to support and build a platform for any female artist in D.C.," said Anku, who added that there is a lack of respect for female performers. "I want people to be interested in female artists."
That notion fit the "don't degrade yourself or degrade other women" principle that Ann Wilkins established for her 15-year-old daughter, rapper Emoni Fela. "Women are portrayed in such a negative way," said Wilkins, who watched her daughter perform with a band last week at Club Five in Northwest. "There are some positive females, but they're not getting the limelight they should."
Among them is Tekeah "Green Tea" Scott, 25, who performed songs from her self released debut album "Shades of Green" on Friday at the Red and the Black, on H Street NE. Anku and his business partner, Brandon Felton, hope the festival continues to bring recognition to female artists. You have to "work twice as hard when youre not the typical recording artist," Anku said. "A sister will always have a brothers back. I'm just trying to have a sisters back."
GREEN TEA - SINGER, SONGWRITER
BY KHADIJAH ALI-COLEMAN
CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS.COM (OCTOBER ISSUE 2006)
As a social worker, Tekeah Scott, 26, is dedicated to helping her young clients find loving homes to develop and thrive as they live within the foster care system. As a performing artist, Scott becomes the artist known as Green Tea, creating songs that speak of life lessons and possibilities -- seeking to influence her surrounding community to live in positivity and peace.
Her mission is to embody the symbolism of her stage name. "Green symbolizes power, longevity and palm trees through winds and storms they still stand strong. 'T' is the first letter in my name, and tea is a healing agent." Stepping outside of todays video vixen image of the female artist singing sexually explicit lyrics, Green Tea exudes a calmer and more natural vibe that still attracts the attention of male fans. "She's beautiful, and she can sing," says local singer D. Marq. Sometimes the two dont appear together. With caramel colored skin and sparkling eyes, Green Tea is content to stay true to herself. I choose to be happy waking up in the morning and being ok. My purpose is to uplift the people. Im not trying to fit in, she says.
Raised and living in Southeast, DC, Green Tea is proud to witness the growing art scene in her own backyard. "[It seems] people are being free. People are expressing themselves as a form of therapy," she believes. A firm believer in creating positive energy through affirmations, Green Tea hopes that the air waves and environment become saturated in the positive energy created through art. Its a necessary expression to balance some of the negativity perpetuated through music and television, she believes. "We need a balance. Compared to popular national acts such as India.Arie, Jill Scott and Lina, Green Tea applauds local artists for continuing to offer diversity to the game of music. "I love the Human Prophets who do hip hop poetry. Bilal Salaam, Raheem Devaughn, they are some local artists I enjoy," she shares. Coming off of a busy summer tour season where she has appeared in different events, including the Black LUV Festival and Can a Sista Rock a Mic Festival, Green Tea will soon be promoting her second CD entitled "Choices" due out in Spring 2007.
SOULCIALISTA
By: Purple ALMOND
Green Tea performed after David James and no one could deny the energy she brought! Where as David's performance was more relaxed and chill where the audience could nod their head along, Green Tea forced everyone to stand up and really groove!
My favorite song on the night by her was Soul Connection - a song about wanting more than just that "friendly" relationship but something with more substance.
Green Tea was definitely for the ladies last night but the men seemed to take her in as well as her song as they were motivating and moving. Green Tea herself was a ball of energy as she didn't let her small performance space keep her moving about and putting on a great show!
