Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, Trina, Jackie-O, Khia, these are the name you often hear when a discussion about female MC’s comes up. If you’re in Memphis, it’s surrounding areas, or just a real hip-hop head that’s in the know then the name La Chat will definitely be a part of the conversation.

For years La Chat has been a stable of the Memphis hip-hop scene and through her grind and work ethic her name has spread like wildfire. It’s not all talk with La Chat as she sold a staggering 200,000 copies of her album with no promotion or record label. To call that an accomplishment is a serious understatement.

She is often called the future of female hip-hop and with her track record I wouldn’t argue it. Sixshot.com caught up with the first lady of Memphis to discuss her independent success, her work with fellow Memphis superstar Yo Gotti, and what we could expect to see from her in the future.

Sup La Chat, how you doin'?

I’m doing real good, what’s up?

So tell us, when did you start taking rhyming seriously and get in the booth and everything?

Well I’ve been rapping and performing at family gatherings since I was like 11 years old. I can say I was about 14 when I first touched the mic and got into the studio. I was into writing poems when I was around that age as well.

You w ere down with Hypnotized Minds for a while. How did 3-6 Mafia discover you?

They found me through another dude that was down with them at the time by the name of Lil Noid. He went and told juicy bout me and Juicy called and I already had my little Memphis street fame from local talent shows and performing in the city so we just took it from there really.

What was it like working with them and why didn't the situation work out?

Man it’s was love. I loved them niggas. I thought we were a family. I was just a ghetto child tryna make it (laughs) but they didn’t have the same love. I'm not talking about them but since you ask I didn’t receive royalties or publishing at all. I never had my own publishing set up, you know? I’m lame to the game thinking they gonna keep it one hundred but they didn’t. Honestly I ain't mad at them though because I’m a star and if I owed them for that consider the fee paid.

You've been featured on a few soundtracks. What were those experiences like?

Aww man, it was an excellent feeling to go to the movies and hear my lyrics on a big screen in a big movie. I felt good. It was a great experience and it was real exciting for me.

You've also done some acting with a starring role in "Choices". Did you like acting and do you plan on doing more in the future?

First things first, let me just say that acting is way harder than it looks but yes I plan on doing it again. It was a lot of fun for me. I’m open for anything in the industry. If I have a chance to be a part of something good I’m going to do it. I’m not gonna limit my talent and miss out on opportunities.

Your first album Murder She Spoke did 200,000 units, which is crazy. Did you think you would sell that much?

And not to mention that it was 200,000 bootleg. (Laughs) Nah I never thought I would be so loved because it comes natural. It’s a talent I have and honestly to be loved for it is a great feeling. I’m glad I could make something that the people love.

What was it like winning the Best Female Mixtape Artist award at the SEA?

Definitely unexpected. Once again I was doing what I love to do and the people loved it so it was a privilege to me. I felt very honored. It’s great to be acknowledged for the work you put in especially with such a great award like that.

How much would you say mixtapes have helped your career?

Mixtapes are good. I love doing them because they keep your fans satisfied and let your fans know you still go hard while waiting on the real album to hit the store. You got to keep it moving. That’s the way this business works and you gotta keep the streets happy. 

Would you say you're one of the most success female rappers in Southern hip-hop?

Not yet but I feel I’m most definitely on my way. The rap game is good to me though. This is how I eat and pay my bills and believe me when I say I’m good.

Ultimate Revenge was real popular. Did you think it would make that big of an impact?

Well Ultimate Revenge was an old album and I recorded that back in 1995 with my cousins before I was with 3-6. Once I got hot they put it out. I felt it was the wrong time because I just had left 3-6 and people thought that was a new CD. It was me, but that wasn’t me on the cover. They wanted to put it out so bad that they put it out without me knowing. All my fans know I'm tatted on both arms from shoulders to hands. That person has no tattoos. Now don’t get me wrong it was me on the CD but it was the 1995 me and they dropped it like 2005.

You're signed with Yo Gotti now right? What is it like working with him?

Nah I just did one album with Gotti. I got my own label called Dime-A-Dozen Ent. and my own situation. My new album Da Hood Homegirl which features Murphy Lee, Pastor Troy, Gangsta Boo, Lord Infamous, T-Roc and more drops on Tuesday, July 22 so all my real fans fuck wit ya girl. Ya’ll see I keeps it moving, I make so many moves its hard to keep up with me. (Laughs)

What projects can we expect to see in the future?

I also just dropped something for the streets So Hood Gutta Vol. 3 in the streets. You can go to my myspace and listen and download it for free at www.Myspace.com/LaChatrap and I’m just going to keep working so support ya girl.

Anything you'd like to say to your fans out there?

I’d just like to say thank ya’ll for loving me. I am one of the celebrities that know it’s the fans that make me. I don’t make me so thanks for the love and if you cop that new Hood Homegirl album on July 22 or whenever you cop it make sure you call me let me no you got it. I’ll call you back. You want my number? It’s inside the CD for real. Thank ya'll for taking time interviewing me.