Name: Lolita Darlese Swain aka Lollipop “Queen of the Beats”

Company: Visible Lyrics Record Company

BB: Tell me about your label?

Lolita: Well first and foremost, Visible Lyrics is NOT a hip hop label. While  have hop artists signed to Visible that is not the only genre we put out. Visible Lyrics is the first female owned label (on paper) coming out of Cleveland Ohio.

BB: How did your vision of the label come about?

Lolita: I’ve managed, produced, promoted, and ran sound & lighting for gigs. My first vision of owning a label started actually in Virginia Beach back in 1997. The label was called 1018 Records. I started the label because I became tired of the red tape. The whole “send me your demo” routine. So I said why not do this? I have the knowledge and the capital to start…so that’s when I started my journey as a label owner.

BB: What struggles, if any, did you have to overcome being a female producerand record label owner in this male dominated industry?

Lolita: The biggest one I feel is not being taken seriously. I can’t tell you how many music conferences, panels and award shows have come thru this city by local promoters and entrepreneurs. Not one has ever invited me to sit on the panel and give my expertise. Being the ONLY female in this city that actually distributes music worldwide and makes a profit you would think other wise. As far as production its the same thing…on a regular I hear ”you really made that beat”. Not only is it the none serious attitude towards my work its the constant judgment “well her beats aint that good” yet they haven’t heard my best…I only let them hear what I want them to hear. Third of all, and most men hate when a woman says this…but they are intimidated that “I” a Black Woman could possibly know more, have experienced more and achieved more than they have. So why have me sit on a panel where I will be looked at as a pillar in a community? Unfortunately in this late stage of the game, they can’t say they didn’t know me. They not only make themselves look bad but also those outside that know my work look at them in a different light as well. Inviting me after this interview would be a waste of my time.

BB: Are there any challenges that you face being located in Cleveland, OH? How did  you overcome those challenges?

Lolita: Well see above answer lol. I overcome by traveling abroad and out of state to do business. I have great contacts and it works best for my artists as well as my company to network elsewhere.

BB: You are known as Queen of The Beats. How did you get that title?

Lolita: I took it! LOL…seriously. No one had it…there were no females at the time claiming to be the best beat maker. Missy was the only female producer out and she was actually producing the songs not making the beat. So therefore, given the fact that I was in beat battles and winning non stop I created the name for myself.

BB: What artist do you have on your label?

Lolita: Currently on the Visible roster I have Melissa “Cha~Cha” Figueroa, MAFFII and new to the team my 12 year old rap idol Ya Boi D.

BB: Where do you see your company/brand going in the next 5 years?

Lolita: In a constant upward motion. There are so many facets to my Company and brand that when one area of the biz may get affected by social ills or economic problems, I have other avenues ready to go at a moments notice. In 5 years Visible will be one of the top Independent labels around.

BB: What advice can you offer to other females wanting to pursue a career as a producer?

Lolita: First off DON’T CHASE PLACEMENTS! There’s nothing worse (in my eyes) than a producer that constantly makes beats just to send to well known major acts.You will miss out on working with a up and coming artist that could blow faster than one of your placements. Today many will judge your worth by how many major artist you produce for. It’s easier than ever for someone to make a beat now. My advice is to learn the biz! And not just one area…learn about everything from the studio to the boardroom.

BB: Do you have a website or Twitter where you can be reached?
Lolita: Yes! my twitter is @QueenoftheBeats or my myspace is also
QueenoftheBeats…very easy to find.