Chicago Rapper femdot. Talks Science and Social Justice Ahead of First Concert Since COVID-19


Meet femdot. For this Chicago rapper, his music has always reflected two things: who he is and what’s most important to him.

“I know who I am. I’m not going to sell myself because of all the things I’ve been through. They’ve allowed me to create an experience that’s only me. Me being me works every time,” femdot. said.

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He recently released his first post-COVID-19 body of work titled “Not For Sale,” which he’ll be debuting at his first headlining concert in Chicago since 2018.

See: femdot. – Not For Sale Live

“Not For Sale ... the tagline is that you can’t put a price on experience,” femdot. said. “In my music I have a wide range, and because I consider myself a storyteller, I feel like that makes it easier to pull from different elements to humanize an experience. I think that is really important because Black people are typically dehumanized. So being able to add a human element is something I like to do.”

The human experiences he works to bring attention to are primarily rooted in his exploration of what it means to be African American.

“People assume that Black men in music are not multi-dimensional or Black people in general,” femdot. said. “That if we do this we’re in one lane or vice versa. So in my music I try to be as multi-dimensional as possible … A lot of my songs are very vulnerable. I write from a place of experience and therapy. So it’s very open. Allowing men to be open is a thing that should be cool, so why not put it in rap songs.”

That emphasis on humanity also reflects his commitment to community.

“I’m excited about it because, in the pandemic, we established my nonprofit, called Delacreme Scholars, where we give out scholarships, have toy and coat drives, and grocery initiatives.”

See: Delacreme Scholars

With a background in biology, femdot. says he enjoys using science to connect the dots within his music.

“That’s what I went to school for, why I started the scholarship, why I look at music the way I do,” femdot. said. “I look at it very scientifically. Rappers give context and now you have the human element and can relate. That’s no different than what people do with research. It’s the story aspect. I think there’s a sense of authenticity that isn’t forced. I’m not trying to be anyone else. I allow people to know that and know that’s ok and also bringing people into my world and you may not relate to that, but you’ll relate to the feeling that’s there.”

You can catch the full Friday night, March 11 at the Bottom Lounge.

Follow Angel Idowu on Twitter: @angelidowu3

Angel Idowu is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.


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