Sharon Jackson, also known as Sha-Rock, was the first female rapper, and joined the Funky Four + One when she was in the ninth grade. She then went on to be in US Girls with Lisa Lee (of Cosmic Force) and Debbie Dee, who can be seen in the movie Beat Street.

What are you doing now?

I'm working with my daughter now. She's a rapper now, so basically I'm working with her, you know, trying to get her out there with different types of projects and everything. She's really into it, so I'm working with her now. She goes under the name of T-Roc.

Do you still rhyme?

I have done a couple of things on her tracks. We did a mother and daughter thing, so I do things like that when people come up with different projects they want me to do. It depends on exactly what it is, but I've been really trying to stay focused with her.

Are you proud of those days?

Of course! We started it, along with a lot of other people. To see that hiphop has evolved is good. Back then, growing up, they said it was just a fad. I always felt it would just keep going and make history. To know you had a lot to do with bringing hiphop about is the ultimate. You know you were there, living it.

Do you still get together with Lisa Lee, Debbie Dee or Angie B. [of Sequence, also known as Angie Stone]?

Angie B. has come down here to Texas to help me, like if I'm raising money for the YMCA. We're really good friends. I've meant to get in touch with Lisa Lee, but things just get so crazy. I haven't heard from Debbie Dee in years, but the feeling of closeness is always there.

How did hiphop change your life?

How I can pinpoint it is that when it first started out, it was just men. You'd go to a show and see just men rapping. And I'm not talking like a year later, but within that same timeframe, I saw it and was like, "I can do this." It was like, Sha-Rock! I was there along with the men, being able to hold it down. It was from the beginning, knowing that the guys do it and you can do it too.