And last but not least, "Let the Beat Hit ‘Em."
It was about funk and dance. Everybody was hitting hard with the dance tracks and I wanted to do one that was funky. This one was the one that came up.
So after all of these years, what led you to Mass Appeal Entertainment?
Well, the owner of the label is a personal friend of mine that we've known for many, many years. My manager, Stephanie Saraco, and I, we've known Marcus Siskind for many, many years. We talked about it all the time. "We got to do this. We got to do this." I've been through so many different labels. With the ideas that we have and we're putting on now, I don't think they got it. They're willing to do it but they never said the right thing to us. Marcus did. He got it – he just knew what we're about and what we're willing to do and how far we can take it. Mass Appeal got it. He was the only one who really, really led me to believe that this can truly work, you know. And we did it and here it is. It's about to be released. It's taken many years. I've known Marcus for over 10 years now. I've done work with him on other labels. Latifah had a label back in the day and I was on the label with them for about a year and it didn't work out. Nothing against Latifah – I love her to death still, and God bless her but they never got it. They just never got what I was about, what I was willing to do and what I could still do. Marcus got it. And so I signed with Mass Appeal.
Fair enough. [laughing] You know, one thing I've always been curious about is the origin of your stage name. You have always been called "Lisa Lisa" but your government name is Lisa Velez. When did "Lisa Lisa" become your official stage name? Did you want to hit the audience with it twice, so they wouldn't forget? [laughing]
Well, I didn't come up with it. Like you said, my name is Lisa but the guys in Full Force always said my name twice—and really slow—like this: "Lisa, Lisa," because they weren't looking in my eyes; they were looking below my chin. That's the honest-to-God truth. You can write that. Just like that. They never look me in the eye. They were always looking below my chin. I'm sure everybody won't forget it.
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 !