Today we’d like to introduce you to Lt Sunnie.
Lt Sunnie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey as a rap artist began at 19 when I was introduced to audio recording and engineering at a program called Kulture Klub Collaborative. A group named Big Quarters led a studio engineering residency and I showed up on a day where the exercise was to write about our experience on Hennepin Avenue. Downtown Minneapolis is a very busy place, especially for teenagers. So, when I wrote my verse I had a lot to say. When I recorded and listened to myself on playback I was stunned. I really loved the way that I sounded on the beat! Growing up, I was always so heavily invested in dancing – I never thought I would be interested in anything else – let alone creating music. Shortly after my journey began, I was introduced to TruArtSpeaks where I took a lot of writing workshops, attended a ton of open mics, and gained a lot of knowledge about hip-hop culture and blackness. My community, peers, and mentors really encouraged me to keep writing and performing then Lt. Sunnie was born.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Of course not! Had it been a smooth road I wouldn’t have needed creative arts as an outlet to express my feelings. At 19, I was experiencing homelessness. I had to quickly learn how to advocate for myself and get my basic needs met in the safest way possible. Juggling poverty, dreams and aspirations, entering the workforce, and growing pains as a young adult was not easy. I’m a very community-oriented person and if it wasn’t for my community/village supporting and fostering my gifts and talents I wouldn’t be who I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a hip-hop music artist, dancer, and Podcaster!
I am currently one out of seven members of FairPlay Entertainment. A hip-hop collective created by one of Minnesota’s most prominent and elite hip-hop artists Nur-D. My music can be found on all music streaming platforms. I use music as a way to communicate and express myself. And it’s so refreshing to have such amazing and talented peers around me.
I am also a member of the Minnesota Krump community! (MNKrump). I joined the Krump community in 2020 after taking a 10-session intensive curated by MaiaMaiden Productions and led by McKnight Fellow Herb Johnson. K.R.U.M.P. has offered me the opportunity to connect with my feelings on a deeper level, build community, travel, and compete in Krump tournaments. All things I’m eternally grateful for. I have grown so much from these experiences as a dancer and person.
My podcast “The Sex Talk Podcast by Lt. Sunnie” can be streamed on all podcast streaming platforms! The Sex Talk is an analytical research-based podcast cultivating quality conversation about sex, sexuality, and sensuality – all while centering big body, queer, black, feminine people. The reason why I created “The Sex Talk Podcast By Lt. Sunnie” is because I believe that sex education should be free and accessible to all. Education reduces harm and as a queer black woman, there were a lot of gaps in my knowledge growing up. I believe you should create what you need in the world. And I need the education and space just as much as my supporters do.
What makes you happy?
I absolutely love connecting and having fun with my loved ones. I love laughter, I love breakthrough tears, I love growth, I love understanding others. I love the community! I love it when you can see an Epiphany in somebody else’s eyes. I love it when people can feel free enough to be their authentic selves! I also love chocolate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fairplayentertainment.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ellteesunnie?igshid=NDA1YzNhOGU=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCII9xYY1UQWkaZ7wmKvvBtA
Image Credits
Marrie Weigel (@MarEssence_Photography)
Derrick Gichaba (@derrick_photo_)
