When you look back over your career, what do you consider to be your greatest contribution to the music industry?
My biggest contribution I would love to say is not only a different sound, but as a female, as a woman, I crossed a lot of barriers and was able to have and maintain a great deal of success. There weren't a lot of females out there who were crossing over and doing everything that our group was doing, especially with a female as the leader of a group. No offense to you but it's a man's world – keeping it real. It's a man's world in business and in music, too. My opinion is that I gave females the courage to make moves and do what they love. As a female, it was hard and it was struggle but I kicked ass, I have to say. It was hard. Nobody ever focused on the female. I was only 14 when I started with Full Force, you know. I started early. Nobody focused on that and I was out there doing it. I think that would be my best contribution. Besides the sound, it was the contribution of being a female in a hard-ass business.
At what point did you fully realize your success?
As soon as we released "I Wonder If I Take You Home" on the Breakdancing compilation. It was great because it was all about breakdancing. I was like, "Wow, they really like our style. The breakers loved it out there." But when it really hit me hard was when I came home from a huge tour and I saw my name in lights up on Radio City. We did three nights – sold out – at Radio City. I was like, "Oh, s**t!" I used to dream about seeing my name in lights. Then a year later, it was, "Woohoo!" To be on the stage with major, major names like Grace Jones and The Whispers, Teena Marie, that was huge for me. I grew up to all that and I still am following all that. To be on stage to see these kinds of people, these groups, was an honor.
When you look back on the early days, what comes to mind when you think about your time at The Fun House?
I heard Madonna was discovered by Jellybean Benitez, so I made it a point to get his attention. No offense to her – I love her to death, I think she's phenomenal – but, you know, I can sing. I'm not trying to take that away from her, but I thought, "Wait a minute, if she could do it, I could do it, too." When I met him and I gave him a tape – it was cassette back then – that was great for me. I was like, "Here's my chance." But then I met a guy from Cult Jam there the same night when I went to that audition.
Article comments
1 - Vida Starr
I love Lisa Lisa... but how is she the queen of Latin hip hop? She's not hip hop. And other than Lisa Left eye Lopez... Latinas in Hip hop aren't even at the forefront. Jennifer Lopez is nowhere near hip hop. So who is Lisa Lisa Reigning over?
2 - ArrayanoChamp
Lisa Lisa Is the Latin Hip Hop Queen ASK NEW YORK CITY!!! I just hate she had the breast reductions, she was my cousin in laws godmother, she's still beautiful tho, she was my first crush at like 4. LOL. BELLISIMA!!!
3 - Boots09
Lisa Lisa was the first Latina to make a mark in R&B n Hip Hop By putin a latin twist to it. She along with Cult Jam and Full Force truly were the first to do it. She is the Latin Queen of Hip Hop n R&B!!!
4 - Lynn Angela Pisco
I just wanted to say that I think Lisa Lisa is one of a kind when it comes down to music, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to meet her after yesterday's concert here in San Jose has really changed my life ever since. She is truly " A Diva Of Freestyle " no matter what . She has inspired so many artists through the years and still manage to create her own image as well no matter how old she is still can sing 80's come on now . Thank u Lisa Lisa for everything that you've accomplished through the years with your music . Your style, grace and love have touched so many fans around the world including myself and family . Showing that if you can believe in yourself music will definitely can change you no matter what . I think she is considered to be not only an artist with so much dignity and grace but certainly she is a true diva with heart and soul . I love you Lisa Lisa so very much and I wish that you can appeared on " The Ellen Degeneres Show " and see how " Freestyle " is now making a national come back and the energy will never dies !
5 - Star Hodelin
Lisa and I worked out at the Mid City Gym in Manhattan and she was wonderful. I wish her many years of success and happiness and hope to one day meet up with her again. Love you Lisa!
6 - i love lisa
i love lisa lisa.....and is so beautiful. i always wanted to marry her when i was young. and like full force i love whats under her chin. she was on a directv 101 game show a few years ago and still looked lovely.
7 - i love lisa
the fact she mentions her boobs is the reason she got her name is so real and so new york. so puerto rock. shes the best.
8 - What?
You're all outta your tree!
9 - Lisa Lover
I wish this were longer and that you had talked about Full Force. Without them she really was nothing, and that is not a mean statement. They wrote her biggest hits and really, the 6 guys in FF and the 3 people in Cult Jam at times seemed like one big band that broke apart and came back together again. Full Force are hugely under-appreciated by the music world in general with hits for themselves and other artists all through the 80s and 90s, and even in the 2000s had hits with Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Nina Sky, NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, and wrote for many more famous acts. I hope Lisa is still working with them.