Ebony Eyez is one of the few female rappers you'll hear on the airwaves. If our interview was any indication, she plans on making her own mark and will be around for a long time.

Shelia Goss: How do you feel about being compared to Lil’ Kim or Foxy Brown?
Ebony Eyez: No problem… I grew up on them…people can only compare me to ones that came before me…as time go forth, I can prove myself.

Shelia: You have some “In Ya Face” type lyrics. No pun intended (smile) What inspires your writing?
Ebony Eyez: I let the music speak to me a lot…tells me where I need to go with my lyrics…everything sparks something,

Shelia: If you weren’t rapping, what would you be doing?
Ebony Eyez: It would have something to do in entertainment, such as writing books or movie scripts.

Shelia: How did you end up hooking up with J-Kwon?
Ebony Eyez: We’re all from St. Louis…J-kwon and I have the same manager…I was on their first album.

Shelia: How did you end up doing a song for the XXX2’s soundtrack?
Ebony Eyez: We were in the studios and they asked me why don’t you come do this hook for me…next thing I know we’re shooting the video.

Shelia: Where were you when you heard your song played on the radio and how did it make you feel?
Ebony Eyez: I was at home in St Louis at my grandmother’s house…someone pulled up to the house and said “your song is on the radio”…it was like WOW…it’s on the radio…first was shocked, but that’s when I knew it was really happening.

Shelia: Who are some of your favorite rappers?
Ebony Eyez: I’m a big hip-hop fan on the whole…I like a little of everybody. Enimenm…TI…Mc Lyte…Missy…Jadakiss …Jay Z goes without saying…etc.

Shelia: Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with?
Ebony Eyez: Pink…I like her persona and attitude…I would love to meet her and come up with something for her.

Shelia: What makes your CD stand out from some of the other rap CDs out there, besides you being female?
Ebony Eyez: I had fun with the project and I think it comes across on the CD. I tell it like it is…all the messed up things women and men do… It’s about the real world…I take the listener on a lyrical journey that a woman goes through in a seven day cycle…It’s kind of like a diary.

Shelia: Was Nelly instrumental in opening doors for other St. Louis rappers?
Ebony Eyez: Definitely. He kicked the door off the hinges. Before him, there was really no one from St. Louis who had the same impact.

Shelia: How has your life changed since your success?
Ebony Eyez: I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and meeting a lot of people…my day is busy…you don’t understand how the other side works until you’re going through it…it’s really a lot of work…working constantly…I still stay in my same house and drive my same car…I’m trying to think where to invest my money instead of spend it up on a new house or car.

I have four little sisters, grandmother and aunt and I like to shower them with things. I’m putting money away for college for them, etc.

Shelia: What advice would you give other young ladies who want to follow in your path?
Ebony Eyez: Make sure this is what you really want to do…Don’t let anyone discourage you…You have to be a go getter, confident, and aggressive. Don’t take “no” for an answer. Stay persistent and go after what you want.

Shelia: What would your best friend say about you?
Ebony Eyez: I think I know everything (laughing). I won’t admit that I’m wrong…I will find a way to argue my point to make sense.

Shelia: Is there anything else you would like your fans to know?
Ebony Eyez: The album 7 Day Cycle comes out on September 13th Visit my site at www.ebonyeyez.com. to stay up on the latest news…and vote for my video on 106 & Park.