(AllHipHop News) “A lot of great things popped off for me this year,” exclaims Brianna Perry. The Miami-Dade County bred performer’s 2014 brought numerous milestones in her life. In May, Perry graduated from the University of Miami with a business degree. Then in August, the 22-year-old broke into television with the T.I. produced Sisterhood of Hip Hop on the Oxygen network.
[ALSO CHECK OUT: Brianna Perry “Feelings”]
For Brianna, appearing on reality TV was not about making a name for herself as a wine-throwing, loud mouthed villain. She used the platform to present herself to the world as a budding musical artist.
“That show was such a blessing. There were so many people that had yet to even hear a Brianna Perry record, so I got to be introduced to a whole new audience,” says the rapper. “They get to know me, not only as an artist, but as a person, as a student, as a daughter. I think people can connect with the music more, because they’re getting a taste of who Brianna Perry is and not just the artist.”
The Atlantic Records signee may be a new face to some music fans, but Brianna has been working in the industry since she was a pre-teen. Over the last seven years she has released several mixtapes including 2011’s Face Off and 2012’s Symphony No. 9. The Face Off project featured the YouTube hit “Marilyn Monroe.”
[ALSO CHECK OUT: Brianna Perry – “F**kwitbriuknowigotit”]
Perry is still continuing her musical push to the public. She recently dropped the video for her single “I’m That B.I.T.C.H.” Don’t be confused by the title. Brianna makes it clear that the acronym for the obscenity in the song’s name and the content on the track is meant to empower her gender.
“The word [b***h] is used so commonly, I just wanted to elevate the word. Just put a nice flip to it – beautiful, intelligent, tough, chicks in heels. I’m letting women know you can be that girl. You can be bossy, sassy, and still be classy at the same time,” explains Perry. “I was just being creative, having fun, and making girl anthems like I do. I’m just all about girl power.”
As Brianna offers guidance to her female followers, she also pays homage to the ladies that paved the way for her. At the very beginning of her career, Perry was mentored by two platinum-selling female rappers – Trina and Missy Elliott. That tutelage left an important impression on a young Brianna that still resonates today.
“[Trina and Missy are] strong-willed women who really made their mark on the game and who also had longevity,” states Brianna. “Just to see their work ethic and how passionate they were about their craft – everything they did, I tried to soak in. So to be able to cross paths with such great forces was priceless.”
[ALSO CHECK OUT: Brianna Perry – “Devil Is a Lie” Freestyle]
Follow Brianna Perry on Twitter @BRiANNAtheYRB and watch her on Sisterhood of Hip Hop, Tuesdays at 9 pm ET on Oxygen or at oxygen.com.
Watch Brianna Perry’s latest video “I’m That B.I.T.C.H” below.