Interviews Next Wave

Serious Voice: Keeping the Faith and Flow Alive in a Mad Cold World

For rapper and emcee SERIOUS VOICE, hip hop is everything—it’s where she found healing and solace when she needed

By TCR Staff

October 14, 2025

Serious Voice: Keeping the Faith and Flow Alive in a Mad Cold World

For rapper and emcee SERIOUS VOICE, hip hop is everything—it’s where she found healing and solace when she needed it most, where she makes sense of the ferocious world around her. Most importantly, it’s where she spreads the Word of God, inviting others to join her on a journey of faith, honesty, empowerment, and purity. Powerful female artists like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, and Nicki Minaj inspired young Brigitte “SERIOUS VOICE” James to “take over the rap game” from an early age. But things weren’t always easy. Growing up on tough streets—and in an often tougher home—in Brooklyn, she drew strength from her faith to begin a lifelong journey of healing that continues to shape her role as a motivator today. The longer she stays in the game, the more she cements her place among New York’s hip hop greats—rapping with conviction, grit, grace, and heart, proving time and time again that it’s possible to command both the Christian and mainstream hip hop scenes.

Her music has been featured on Spike Lee’s Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, her visuals showcased to thousands at SXSW, and her performances across New York city have earned her a devoted following. Yet her upcoming 7th studio project, Tessa’s Daughter, stands apart from everything she’s released before. Following her mother’s unexpected passing, she transformed her grief into one of her most transparent and personal works to date—a vibrant, loving homage to her mother’s life, creativity, and legacy.

One of the things that makes James’ bars so compelling is her candor—she doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that life on the saved side isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. It’s a rough and tumble world out there, and in this “mad cold world,” it’s easier than ever to lose sight of the peace, direction, and blessings the Lord bestows upon His children. Around every corner lies temptation: an excuse to wander astray, a reason to question God’s greater plan—and that’s exactly what the Stay Clean freestyle series pushes back against. Teaming up with her manager, producer, and husband, MrC Live, James shines a light on those very real “reset moments” Christians often face—day-to-day obstacles that call for recalibration, and opportunities to realign oneself with the faith within.

In “99 Problems,” the echoing refrain featuring her son JSWAGG cuts like the voice of an inner conscience, fighting to rise above the noise of modern life. With a heady dose of classic hip hop swagger, James lays her truth bare, voicing the often hidden frustrations of navigating a world determined to hold her down. Yet despite the struggle, she knows deep down that “scripts don’t lie.” So even when life is “not always peachy,” there’s no need to worry about the world’s woes; her trust in God is absolute. Stepping in as both a fierce leader and a trusted friend, she reminds listeners they don’t have to go at it alone. “Let’s work on it together,” says James. “Keep moving forward, keep renewing your mind DAILY, keep progressing and confessing the WORD, and keep walking with HIM.” Salvation is certain, as long as the focus remains on one thing—“stay clean.”

As Leonardo DaVinci said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and James takes this to heart in the “99 Problems” music video. Working together with director Bronx Emcee, the visionary partner behind many of her visuals, she gives a literal interpretation of purity and cleanliness, spitting her bars from within the porcelain sanctuary of a gleaming white bathtub. It’s here she actively calls upon God to wash off the impurities of sin. Every detail—the white robe, the white towel, the glistening faucet, the silver jewelry—has been carefully chosen to evoke a sense of immaculateness. Yet hanging above it all is a mic, an unmistakable symbol of the duality of her artistry—she’s not just a Christian rapper, she’s a hip hop artist. This is her truth, her life, her story, and her victory in full glory. And even in the face of “99 Problems,” God’s love remains the unshakable truth that clears the path forward.

Serious Voice, excited to connect—“99 Problems” feels like such a bold, transparent statement. What was the first spark that made you want to capture this side of your journey in a track?

I actually pondered the concept for a while. I knew I wanted to speak on the subject matter, but I wasn’t sure how it would translate visually. It was a spiritual light-bulb that went off, and I am simply honoring what was ignited in me.

You’ve said life “on the saved side” isn’t always sunshine, and that honesty comes through so clearly here. How important is it for you to show the struggles alongside the victories in your music?

Showing my struggles as well as my victories is super important to me because I want listeners to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that being a Christian is not an easy lifestyle. It requires work, perseverance, and there will be challenges. Sometimes we fall, but we can’t stay down; we’ve got to get back up and keep going. I’ve personally made many errors in life, but I keep pushing to be better. That’s why I stand on the line “Problems and I’m still Christian…”

The refrain with your son JSWAGG adds this powerful inner-voice effect. How did it feel to bring him into the song, and what does that collaboration mean to you personally?

Oh man, there’s no better feeling than to have your son on a track. He’s blossomed into a fine young man and he’s always willing to collaborate on a track. Having him on 99 Problems is a reflection of my impact and legacy. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do on his own.

You’ve built the Stay Clean series around those “reset moments” believers face daily. How do you personally recognize when it’s time for a reset, and how do you channel that into your art?

When I’m feeling emotionally, mentally, physically tired, and spiritually drained, that’s when I know I need to pause from all the activity and reconnect with God. Reconnection is not just going to a church building, but having an experience with God.

The video directed by Bronx Emcee is striking in its simplicity—the white tub, the robe, the mic overhead. How did the two of you develop that concept, and what made it feel like the right visual for this track?

Actually, the idea of the tub was on my mind for a while because when we feel dirty, that’s what we use to remove the impurities, we take a bath to get clean. I thought about the microphone because we have to keep it hip-hop. I was one of the first rappers to use a hanging microphone on the street. I tend to set trends, and I’m not just saying that to polarize myself, but I am a futuristic thinker. The white robe was another element that points to us getting clean. I called Bronx Emcee and explained the idea. He understood the vision and ran with it. His angles, framing, and coloring were the best way to treat the song. I also spoke to a few stylists and was encouraged to go with the white towel around my hair, red lipstick, and colorful makeup.

You’ve worked with Bronx Emcee on several visuals. What do you value most about that creative partnership?

He understands me and the way I think. He’s a genius in his own right–a visual genius. We have conversations, and he brings my ideas and concepts to life visually. It’s a great collaboration, and it keeps getting better and better.

With Tessa’s Daughter being such a personal project, especially following your mother’s passing, how does “99 Problems” connect to the larger themes of the album?

It is the appetizer before we get to the main course, which is Tessa’s Daughter. I’m giving you a reason to find me, a reason to watch and listen to Serious Voice. Oftentimes, people drop an entire project, and there’s no preface, no buildup. This is the build-up, hope you enjoy the ride.

You’ve been inspired by trailblazing women in hip hop like Queen Latifah and MC Lyte. Do you see yourself carving out a similar dual lane, bridging Christian and mainstream hip hop in your own way?

I think when it’s all said and done, people will remember me for my Serious Voice because every time I create, I endeavour to say something impactful, something I know deep down would be pleasing to God. I’ve been the first to do quite a few things, and as I gain more ground, I’m sure I’ll be blessed to touch even more ground and pave a way for others. I salute those who came before me, as they’ve given me the push to launch out.

Your message of “let’s work on it together” really stands out. What do you hope listeners wrestling with their own 99 problems feel after hearing this song?

That even the biggest and most embarrassing struggles are not impossible when we hand them over to God. It’s really about humbling yourself, visualizing that you are a child who does not know everything, and you need a parent to step in and handle it. Well, that parent is God, and he’s absolutely capable of taking care of all of the big problems.

Anything else you’d like to share with fans as you move toward this next chapter with Tessa’s Daughter?

I want fans of Serious Voice to know they have the power to choose their destination–don’t let a few wrong turns determine your end point. Join the STAY CLEAN ride with me, and let’s recalibrate together.