| The Poetess | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Birth Name |
Felicia Morris |
|
Origin |
California, USA |
|
Genre |
Hip hop, conscious hip hop, pop-rap |
|
Occupation |
Rapper, lyricist, radio personality, entrepreneur |
|
Years active |
1991 - 1993 |
|
Label |
Atlantic Records, Interscope Records, Poetic Groove |
|
Associated acts |
none |
The Poetess (born Felicia Morris in California) is an American radio personality and former rap recording artist and lyricist. She is the daughter of the radio disc jockey and broadcast engineer, Johnny Morris. Before venturing into hip hop, Poetess would venture into radio herself. When she was as young as five years old, she debuted on the San Francisco Bay Area soul station, KDIA-AM. Years later, she moved to Los Angeles where she got a job as a co-host on Bailey Broadcasting's nationally syndicated Hip Hop Countdown and Report. Her affinity for poetry compelled her to attempt writing her own rap songs, which led to her gaining a deal with Poetic Groove/Interscope Records. She has the notable distinction of being the first female rapper to sign with Interscope. In 1992, her debut and only album to date, Simply Poetry, dropped. One of those who was involved on the album was Def Jef, who executive-produced. The first single, "Love Hurts", made the Top 10 of The Gavin Report's Rap Radio Charts. Afterwards, The Poetess returned to radio and by 1994, she had moved to a new station, L.A.'s KKBT/92.3 The Beat (later renamed 100.3 The Beat). Being such a dedicated participant in her community, she became the station's Community Affairs Director. She has advocated for critical issues like gang prevention, economic empowerment, and health awareness. Also, she has sought to initiate voter registration drives, school supply distributions, community rallies, and health awareness campaigns. Her collaborations were with the industry's big names like Clear Channel, Radio One, Sirius XM, and MTV. She has worked with celebrities such as comic/actor Cedric the Entertainer, fellow radio host Tom Joyner, and media mogul Cathy Hughes. Simplifying her stage name to Poetess, she was one of the hosts on the all female group, 5 Footaz's 2000 album, Lifetime. In 2007, following 13 years at KKBT-FM, she'd switch stations once again, this time, joining Sirius XM Radio's The Foxxhole, a comedy and entertainment network executive-produced by Jamie Foxx. In 2014, The Poetess made her next move into entrepreneurship, setting up the professional podcast and voice-over studio, Morris Media Studios, based in L.A.'s Leimert Park.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- 1992: Simply Poetry