A Stahhr is born

The local hip-hop scene may be male-dominated, but Stahhr the F.E.M.C.E.E. -- as her name suggests -- is universal. The rapper's graceful, intelligent rhymes express her careful development as a woman and a rapper."When I started rhyming and getting into knowledge of self, all of that stuff came together," she says. "I stopped putting chemicals in my hair; I changed the way I ate."

And she chose a name. "Femcee. I'm feminine. I see things from a feminine perspective," she says. "So I broke it down into an acronym. It actually means: Feminine Energy, which is what women possess; Mastering Creativity, which is what an MC does; Elevate Eternal, which is to rise forever. It's almost like hip-hop is an outfit, and without the accessories, it's just a plain pair of pants and a shirt. But when I get the jewels on and put on the hat, put the oils on and everything, I feel like I complete the outfit."

Stahhr is always seeking balance and approachability in her life and music -- and she envisions a new role for women in hip-hop: "You don't have to be half-naked, and you don't have to talking about cars and clothes, and you don't have to have 18 feet of weave in your hair -- just more of your natural beauty."Stahhr the F.E.M.C.E.E. performs at Smith's Olde Bar Wed., July 31.