The plight of the female MC may never be overcome in a society that objectifies women as "less than males," sex objects and non-players MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Nicki Minaj, Yo-Yo and others have set the bar high undeniably, but let me introduce another powerful MC who happens to be female - Dice.

Dice just dropped another gem with her 518 project in late summer.  What does 518 mean? 

"It was the date that we decided to put the project together - it took 33 days total for us to put the project together," says Dice. "I feel good about it. It's a lot more commercial than anything I've done before. I think its growth and going forward with my career."

AdamTrujillo and Retro, both from The Bay Area, produced 5he 518 project. Her partner in rhyme, Outrageous, mixed and mastered it (yes, mixing and mastering is an often overlooked but key detail.)

Dice's whole game is on a platform of originality.  She rocks a dope '50s retro look that sets her apart - a look that stands alone, a voice that turns head and a smile that speaks to an attitude that will positively grow exponentially with support. 

"I always thought - I love pin up girls and how cool would it be if I rocked a pin up girl look with construction clothes on," laughs Dice. However, there are two things that surprise people at times. First, I'm a female, and second, I'm white.

"As a female people approach differently. At the beginning of the show guys are like ‘pimptastic' with the whole ‘hey baby, let me get at you' and I don't identify myself as a performer - after I get off stage, the entire attitude changes to a more polite (demeanor) and they change up." 

She's keen about how she represents herself and knows where she comes from.

Olympia.

Yes, Dice hails from the 360 and made a major impact there, but took her show to Seattle to give for the bigger audiences, opportunities and to join the bustling hip-hop scene in The 206. Also, the 360 power players are connected with the 206. 

"Guys like Smoke, XP and Old Dominion in Oly work closely with Seattle and I liked that I could network and be exposed to what's going on in Seattle," Dice explains. "Overall, there is more potential in a bigger city. I also left for personal reasons."  She chooses not to go into further detail about personal details at this time. Listening to some of her music may put pieces to this puzzle together.  On the surface and in terms of her project Dice, the boisterous, outgoing and loud bombshell - has a deeper side.

Dice goes off in terms of why The 25360 is not bubbling the ways Seattle is. 

"Tacoma has a sense of entitlement, but a lot of artists don't put in work - I know some do," says Dice.  "Island Tribe, 2^nd Family and Jay Barz put in work no doubt - and Olympia has amazing talent, but a lot of Olympians are happy in Olympia and don't expose themselves to the attitudes of people in the city - my friends don't even come to my Seattle shows (laughing)."

She and her manager, Kendra Adele, laugh back and forth throughout the interview, but end it solemnly giving props to two members of the hip-hop community - Island Tribe's Les'sonz and Kuzzin Pizzo who passed away in untimely fashions.  Dice says they were two of the most talented and kindest people she knew.  Much love.

Dice

With Outrageous
Monday, Sept. 20, 10 p.m.
The Capitol Club, 414 E. Pine St., Seattle
206.325,2149

With Lyfe Jennings
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m., $20
Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., Seattle,
206.628.3151