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Conversations with the Inspiring Molly Ortiz

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Ortiz.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The beginning of my story goes to as early as I could talk. Singing has always been a passion of mine, and something I was encouraged to do at a very young age. Both of my parents are musicians, my mother played the violin and viola through college, and my father played many instruments and pursued a career as a musician my entire childhood. This was obviously a huge influence in my life, from taking many piano lessons, nightly music flashcard sessions, and violin lessons in my later years. While my parents gave me the tools to become a musician, the passion I felt for it was all mine.

I knew from an early age that this was something I wanted to chase and continue throughout my life. Music has led me to so many important people and paths in my lifetime. It led me to try out for my first musical as a Junior in high school- West Side Story- where I met Ramone, my current partner of nine years. It led me to travel through Europe throughout college, on opera tours, and to pursue a degree in Vocal Performance. Most recently, it has brought me on my most special journey yet, to BBMC. Ramone created BBMC and asked me to join him on the endeavor to create this project. It has been a whirlwind since then, playing some of our favorite venues, traveling the world, and constantly pushing each other creatively. It has been a pleasure to be a “BBMC Babe” and represent women on stage, as MollyOhhh, especially in a genre in which there are so few women represented.

Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing worth working for ever comes easily, or so they say. While the talent aspect definitely comes naturally, many other aspects do not. I would not say that being a woman on stage in the Hip Hop Community has ever been an obstacle, but it has definitely been interesting, to say the least. I have found that in many performances and opportunities presented, I was one of very few, if not the only, woman on stage. While this can often be a source of pride, I definitely believe that the female talent is out there, but I believe because of the lack of representation out there, it might make the task of “getting on stage with the boys” seem a little more daunting. I also think as a woman performing in this genre it can be hard to find a voice. So much of what I find men rapping about is different than the message that I would spread as an artist and as a woman.

With the help of Ramone, I have been able to learn how to better write for myself and express what I want to say. The best tool I take on stage with me at any performance is confidence, and that is the advice I would give to any young women embarking on any genre of the music scene. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, and be confident with what you feel. I feel that being a woman with something to say has afforded me more opportunities than it has hindered. It helps me bring something unique to the stage, that other acts aren’t offering. Being a “BBMC Babe” has not only helped me to grow as a musician but as a woman. I have learned so many skills, from recording audio, directing and styling photoshoots, to contributing my ideas confidently. We as women can offer a fresh perspective that is often welcomed when voiced, so to all the young women, voice your opinion because it is definitely worth hearing.

Please tell us about BBMC.
One of the things I love most about BBMC is that we like to dabble in many things. BBMC stands for the Beats Babes Music Collective, and I believe one of the key aspects of this is the collective. I call myself a “BBMC Babe” because there are many babes, male and female alike, that form said collective. We do all things artistic, from physical art we sell at shows, to photoshoots, music videos, vlogs, beat making, and much more! I have learned how to model in a photoshoot, as well as get behind the camera. Other times you can catch me editing, directing and styling a shoot. I love being dynamic and not defining the term art by one specific medium. While we do enjoy art in all forms, music is definitely our main passion. I have learned so much about audio engineering and what it takes to make a song in the studio. As an opera singer in college, I was often taught to use the acoustics around me, and not taught much about the elements of writing music. Ramone, otherwise known as MC Dopenicity, has helped me to find my voice in writing music. He has not only encouraged me to write my own lyrics but has inspired me to help make BBMC something truly unique in the hip hop scene.

Many other hip hop artists come on stage to rap, with not much other than a laptop and a microphone. While there are definitely exceptions to this rule, we like to push this concept to its limits. We try to bring a unique element to every single show we play. Along with being a woman, I find that playing instruments on stage really sets us apart. Usually, you can find MC Dopenicity rocking out the bass, keys, or maybe keeping loops going on the launchpad, while I like to bring my electric violin and jam our on the keys. I also like to use my operatic range and experience in many tracks, in a genre we named “Hip-Opera”. We like to say that we don’t subscribe to any one genre, although hip hop is the root of our sound. Of the three tracks we have publically released, only one of them, “Serve”, is truly rap. The other two, “Mi Amor” and “Too Hot To Handle” play with other musical stylings like funk and tejano. As BBMC is a collective, so is the experience we bring to the table. Whether you want to shoot an awesome concept for a photo or video or make a dope track, we are always excited at the possible to create and collaborate.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
As I said earlier, I believe the lack of women in the genre is actually an opportunity for us to fill! I find that other women are often so excited to see and hear someone of the same perspective on stage that it can be really encouraging to continue and grow. Those of us that are performing in the hip hop community get so empowered seeing other women express themselves and perform, it leaves us in the audience wanting more. I can think of so many female rappers coming up in the scene, and love watching the rise of “Woman Power”. We can be just as badass!! As for BBMC, I often find that being a woman onstage helps to set us apart and offer something that audiences are looking for. While I love to take over the mic singing a catchy chorus, I’m not doing only that. I can rhyme and rap with all the guys and have something that people of all genders can relate to. I think many people expect me to take the background playing an instrument or even just helping with load-in, and love watching the shock set in when I start spitting verses. I find this itself to be such an exciting opportunity and can’t wait to see what other opportunities women can seize.

One of the reasons I wanted to help make BBMC a reality, is because MC Dopenicity has always been a huge supporter of uplifting the female community- both in hip hop and out. This is one of the biggest factors that drove us to take up photography as well. We wanted to photograph all sorts of women, of every shape and color and style to show that being a woman is powerful and beautiful, no matter what. I loved getting behind this project because every time I get on stage, I get to represent and voice for all the women who help make BBMC! It is such an honor to get to work next to some of these people and means the world to me that our message and belief is something they can get behind. I truly believe that the world is not only ready, but it is waiting for the female perspective, and I, for one, am ready to be one of those voices!

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Image Credit:
Interstellar Illuminations, BBMC

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