INTEGRITY & BARS OVER EVERYTHING | Pretty Bulli

INTERVIEW KB Tindal PHOTOGRAPH @BlackBeltJonez114

This Buffalo New York MC has been making her rounds on plenty of platforms lately. She's been featured on Drewski’s You Heard segment on New York's Hot 97 and the Rap Is Out of Control show on Shade 45. Most recently she was chosen by the God himself The RZA as one of 12 MC's out of 10,000 entries to be a part of his Wu-Tang Clan The Saga Continues Cypher which aired on the legendary Sway in the Morning Show. She is no stranger to spitting alongside some of the hardest MC's. And she's always promoting positivity by bigging up the women of the world as identified by the acronym of her name Beautiful United Ladies Living Independently. Tune in with the Validated Magazine Alumni, Pretty Bulli.

Validated: We're gonna jump right into this Sway in the Morning piece because I know you fanned out a little bit as expected because that's the platform. Heather B was definitely in your corner, heavy. What was that experience like for you and what did it mean for you to finally touch that legendary Sway in the Morning Show platform as an MC?

Pretty Bulli: Ohwee. Honestly like you said, I was already fanning out, that was the thing. It was heartwarming to be embraced by them, to be in the same room as them. They were so cool and down to earth. So just like that experience has been unmatched thus far. I will never forget that day, never. I can't explain how I felt even from the Blackout moment where I had people I wanted to shout out and talk about my project. None of that came out. So there was a lot that was going through my head. I was just so excited the whole time and it was beautiful. I can't describe it any other way than that.

Validated: Yeah that's got to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing for artists. Especially for pure MC's to go up there and get that love that's got to be incredible. I'm glad that happened for you for real.

Pretty Bulli: Thank you.

Validated: I know Ninth Wonder, Sway and Tech and RZA collectively chose these 12 MCs and on that day only 11 showed up. I'd like to know who the other MC was that didn't show up on that day.

Pretty Bulli: It was actually around the time they had all the fires that were going on. I believe he was from Canada, so he couldn't make it. So it was actually something big that stopped him. We were saying the same thing like “Hey we missing one?” So I never got to meet them. I think it was a male though. It was only two women. I never got to meet him either but he did have a reason.

Validated: Okay. That's definitely a valid reason. Now this was to be a part of the Wu-Tang Clan Saga. The Saga Cypher continues. What was the actual process like on your part to be chosen as one of the final 12? Were there some levels to this shit or was it just submit your tracks and hope for the call?

Pretty Bulli: Well okay actually shout out to L-Biz. He actually sent me the beat. Well it wasn't even a beat. It was a song with all the members on it. Every member that I mentioned in my verse they were already on the track and it was only like a 16 bar space opening in the beginning. So he sent it to me and he was like “Yeah, you need to do a verse to this,” Not can you. Not you should. But, “You need to do this.” So when I wrote it I was actually writing it and I tend to overthink things a lot when I'm writing. I'm not gonna hold you. So when I got to like my last four bars, I'm like I gotta find a way to mention every legend that's on this track. So I incorporated all of the names in it and it took me a while. I'm not gonna hold you. It don't take me long to write but to find a way to put Capadonna’s name in there was a little rough. It took me a second. I think I slept on that for probably like a week just to see how I would end it. So that writing process was different for me.

Validated: Okay. You had to do that one justice. You had to bring your A-game.

Pretty Bulli: Absolutely. So that one was a little different for me. So like, as they are choosing, we got an email first saying that I was going to be a part of the top 12. So we didn't even know that we were going to be spitting or doing any of that. We all thought it was a part of that verse that we submitted for that Wu-Tang track because we thought it was a contest that somebody was winning. We didn't find out until we actually got there for Sway in the Morning. Sway was like, “No this is not a contest. Y'all all winners we just want to give you the opportunity to spit.” I'm like “Yes this is dope.” This is where the cheesing starts coming in. The whole experience was crazy, it was crazy.

Validated: That is so dope definitely. From that experience should we be looking for some work with you and RZA behind the boards?

Pretty Bulli: I would love that and I'mma speak that into existence that's what I'mma say. I would absolutely love that. Anybody that was in that room or in the vicinity of, I would absolutely love that.

Validated: We definitely need that. I ain't even gonna hold you. Was it by design that the video that came on YouTube with everybody spitting that you were last? Did it happen that way or was the video edited to make it look that way?

Pretty Bulli: I actually went last but that is not how it was supposed to go. When Sway told us that we were all winners and he wanted us to all have our time to shine on the platform, that is when he gave us numbers. He called our name and told us when we were gonna go. I was not last. I wasn't. So when we got in that room and like we were having, like you know you have the interludes for the commercials or whatever have you? He was just calling MC's up so we were just going with it. So at the end he was like “Well yeah I want Bulli to go last so she can stand next to RZA, no pressure.” My eyes got all big. I said, “Okay why and this is where the eight bars came. I lost all of it.” I'm like okay you got to focus. So that was a dope experience.

Validated: That's crazy that's. You definitely deserved to go last. I'm not gonna lie, you bodied that shit. I know your stock had to rise after that appearance. I know yesterday's price can't be today's price you know I'm saying after something like that. So what has that experience brought to you business-wise?

Pretty Bulli: Business-wise it's been crazy. It really has, because I can't say noticed, because I believe I was noticed already but now I'm being acknowledged by people in rooms that are of a higher stature. Yes, business is nice.

Validated: Yes, that's how it's supposed to be.

Pretty Bulli: Yes sir. So thank you Sway. Thank you RZA.

Validated: Your track “B.A.S.I.C.” Broads Always Secretly In Competition, the title pretty much says what it's all about. I'm sure there's something that sparked your mood to write that. So without necessarily throwing anybody under the bus, can you tell me what was the final straw for you to actually sit down and say, I need to write a track like this?

Pretty Bulli: All the cattiness in the industry is ridiculous. So many women are going at each other's necks and it's like why. Like for what? One second you see them together in pictures like they are friends, next thing you know they are airing out everybody's dirty laundry. It's like you've been in competition with her from the beginning. Just to see it it's just like, and nobody likes to draw attention to the negativity part of it or how it is rooted so to speak. But they want to shine the light on the beef. It's like no this was never a friendship. They've always been beefing secretly. This is why my circle is non-existent. It's like a triangle okay.

Validated: Right. I can feel you on that shit. Definitely. And it sucks that it's that way because today more than ever women are getting more looks. It used to be that there could only be one at the top, maybe a few seconds. But now there's an influx of women that actually fucking rap. So it really shouldn't be like that.

Pretty Bulli: It really shouldn't and it's disheartening. It really is. So just to be so close to things like that I felt like I had to say something because there's so many women out here like myself that we do support other artists. We encourage other artists to do things but that's never shown. That's out shined by all the cattiness because they like the way that looks. It sells.

Validated: I heard you say on the show that bars never left. I think the person that was interviewing you said something to the effect of, it's almost non-existent or it's like a lost type of art. But that's not the case. It's always been there. In your process, like who's the people that you still listen to that still give you motivation? Even if it's somebody from hella way back in the day like who do you still listen to that makes you want to keep that pen sharp?

Pretty Bulli: Jada. Even today I’m at work driving and my instrumentals popped up. Jada instrumentals come on immediately. I start thinking of all types of stuff. I don't know what it is. It's something about Jadakiss, he puts some fuel on me.

Validated: Definitely. The track “She's A Problem” is definitely a problem. I wish it was longer because you spazzing out on that joint. It sounded like you just needed to get something off your chest real quick. Was that the case for that one?

Pretty Bulli: Well. I knew I was already done with the project. Then And Now it was complete. And I felt like it needed a little more but I didn't want to give too much. So it was short on purpose. At first the beat was so hard I couldn't really put it together, like sometimes you can hear just bars, sometimes you hear a song. This was just bars for me. I didn't hear a song. So when I was talking to Kid Called Quest, shout out to him, I was talking to him I'm like “Yeah well I started it off and I got a 16,” just to let him know what I had. And he was like “Yo I think you should keep it like that. Let's use it as an intro.” I said, “Oh you might be onto something. So, I actually stopped the writing process. I was ready to keep going. He was like, “No, we're just gonna give 'em a little bit.” So shout out to him for that.

Validated: You got the new album getting ready to come Then And Now ready to drop March 29th. I know it was produced entirely by Kid Call Quest. How did it all come to fruition? The title, what you're going to choose as the first single, if there's any features on it. Because I know you're not big on a lot of features. And why did you choose just one producer?

Pretty Bulli: Well this actually didn't start as a project. We knew back in 2021 when I actually met Quest. I was introduced to him by my manager Dang. He took me to the studio and I think I picked like seven beats from him. I picked seven. And the first one was “Simplicity.” So that was the first track I did with him. I did the same thing I did with Castle Money Beats with Duffel Bag Bulli. I just kind of was releasing singles. So in a way we were getting a feel for each other. We got “Simplicity,” “B.A.S.I.C.” and “Homage.” “She's a Problem” is also there but that's just the sneak preview. So the project itself came as far as naming it goes; it came afterward, after it was already done. I was listening to the tracks that I had. Because usually when you have a project and you name it first now you're in a box when it comes to writing. You have to stick to this script. But as I was listening to the work that we already had, it was explaining my process because sometimes I was feeling like I was reminiscing, and talking about things in my past. Sometimes I'm feeling good because I just left Sway. It was my emotional buildup from when I started to me right now. So the title came after the project was almost complete. I think we might have had “She's a Problem,” and the last track left to do but it was pretty much complete already.

Validated: Okay. And why choose just Kid Call Quest for the production. Why not mix it up? Was it just so perfect that you just said, “Fuck it that's the way we gonna do it?” Like why do that?

Pretty Bulli: When we met each other in 2021 that was the goal to actually do a project. So when we were doing the singles and getting to know one another, I don't think we were really close enough yet to formulate a project. Like sometimes you can say you want to do a project with a producer but you don't really connect like that and it never really happens. You see this happened in 2021 with us meeting, it's 2024. This baby is just now being born. So I like to be in tune with people. You learn me and I learn you. That way the work that we produce is organic. This is real. You're not just throwing me a beat and I'm talking to it. That bond had to be built between us. So we could have absolutely put different producers on it but thus far, it hasn't even really been on purpose. Like when I lock in with a producer we just kind of spit out a project. It's not even on purpose. I didn't think about it like that until just now.

Validated: I heard you briefly say in another interview that you had three projects already made and done.

Pretty Bulli: Well now it's four yeah.

Validated: Now it's four. Okay. So, we're getting Then and Now on March 29th. Are we getting another project before the year is over?

Pretty Bulli: The goal is to drop every quarter. Now how many times I drop per quarter I'm not sure yet but I'm locked and loaded. I’m ready.

Validated: Okay. Got you. What's your process like in the studio? Like is it some candles and some greenery in the air? Are you sipping on something? What's the energy like for you when you're in the studio?

Pretty Bulli: All business. Well I can't really speak for other artists but from what I know of other artists I don't record like everybody. Because like I explained to you before like in the last interview, I'm a single mommy, I got my own business going working full-time. So it's like when I do go to the studio, nine times out of ten, I already have a project written and I'm going to spit it out. So I'm going to book this good five hour session. I'm leaving with a rough mix of my project. I'm not going in there to smoke. I can't waste time. So me going in there, we ready already.

Validated: I saw an ad for “Bulli Bites Infused Eats and Treats” and more. Is that something that you still produce? And if so, tell us a little bit about that.

Pretty Bulli: That is the business I speak of. Yes sir. Yeah so basically I do a lot of soul food cooking and sweets, cookies and cakes and pies and things like that. So anything that I can make regular with Bulli Bites it is also infused depending on how you want it. I cater parties, girls' nights. And so if they want it to be extra special we can have it that way. If you just want it regular, we'll do it that way.

Validated: I might have to tap in with you on that. I got a big sweet tooth.

Pretty Bulli: Do you? You better talk to me. I got you.

Validated: Your Bars 4 Breakfast segments are crazy. I'm always tapped in when you post one of those. Is that actually something you do in the morning when you get in the car to keep the craft sharp and start your day? Or do you record them previously and then depending on how you're feeling that morning you pick one that you want to drop?

Pretty Bulli: When Bars 4 Breakfast started it was absolutely just like the first one you said. Right before I go to work I might get 10 minutes, let me set this up. As I'm growing as a business I had to change it because now I'm going to need a visual for this. I don't want to go over an industry beat. So now I have chosen a beat to do this Bars 4 Breakfast for, which means initially I need to record it. So now I can put this on streaming platforms. So, now it's changing. These are things that I didn't know before. So the process now for Bars 4 Breakfast is a lot different than what it used to be because I see the bigger picture. So now it is pre-recorded. Now I am doing a video but guess what now I can put it up on DistroKid. I couldn't do that before.

Validated: Absolutely. With this game being more saturated today than it's ever been in the history of Hip-Hop, what does Pretty Bulli do to maintain your independence as an artist but yet still stand out at the same time?

Pretty Bulli: Keeping my integrity. Oh my God. I feel like so many artists, they sell out for the dollar when they get that money dangled in front of them. And if they're not comfortable or true to who they are or even know themselves yet, they're easily shifted. Like when you come into this game or been in this game already or you're around our era, you know who you are already. So you're not easily influenced when somebody gets to dangling some dollars in front of you. It's like “No” because you are looking at me for a reason. So if you’re looking at me to dangle some dollars in front of me that means you see money in me.” If you're not comfortable with yourself you don't know that yet. Being true to myself oh man, it's been a game changer it really has.

Validated: I think when you talked about your demographic of the people that listen to your music, the gender, how the women attract more of the reality stuff and how the dudes attract to Bulli like that's it in a nutshell. I love both. I love hearing people tell their true stories. I love concept projects you know and things of that nature. But when you start talking that shit, that's what I want to hear. I want to hear you talk that shit. I can identify with that. Which do you kind of like, vibe off of the most? I know you like both. Which do you like, get hungry for when you go in the studio. Do you kind of break it up and say I need to give them some Bulli and then I also need to give them some true stuff or do you lean one way or more towards the other?

Pretty Bulli: It really depends on my mood. And the beat that I hear. Sometimes the beat is telling me you get a stink face immediately, it's like, oh yeah this is all bars. You can hear it, you can feel it. Sometimes it's like oh it makes you think of something you went through or something of that nature or maybe came in and I had a rough day, and all I could think about is something like that. But when you actually write music that is real for you it's going based off how you feel. You're relating to other people based on how you vent on this music. So depending on what bag I'm in that depends on what that pen gonna do. Never really know.

Validated: Does the process of making music that is unapologetically yourself ever get frustrating for you when you're trying to reach the next level as an artist? Or are you at a point in your career now where you just let that shit roll off your sleeve and just keep writing just to keep making progress?

Pretty Bulli: Just being as transparent as possible. I am honestly just getting to that point. For this project Then And Now, there's a song titled “Break,” and it's just me talking about things that I went through that didn't break me. This song, to listen to it now, it still makes me cringe a little bit. This is how I know I tapped into something vulnerable that I usually don't. So, I'm just now getting to this point where I'm okay with being vulnerable in music. It was usually so structured like it's still being me, but I was only telling what I wanted to tell. Now I'm telling you how I actually feel. This is new because my shoulders go up when I hear this song because it's like I'm not used to telling people that much about me. I'm actually just arriving, just getting here, but it's not a bad feeling.

Validated: It's got to feel good to be in that space though. That's the evolution of you not only as a person but as an artist as well. 

Pretty Bulli: Yes it does. It feels like growth. It really does. Like when you can feel your own growth that's when you start to get a glow. It's like okay I like it here. 

Validated: Which do you like more if you had to pick one, the studio or the stage?

Pretty Bulli: The stage all day. That's a different monster. That's a whole different monster, like I black out on stage. I really do because it's like the adrenaline from being in the studio is scripted. I don't necessarily mean by being written or things of that nature. But it's controlled. You have to stay still because you have to control your voice and the outcome of this record. But being on stage and connecting with people, you don't have to perform the song like it was done in the studio. It's just, yeah it hits different. I’d take the stage any day. 

Validated: No doubt. When was the last time you wrote a poem.

Pretty Bulli: Oh shout out to PA. Dre, I actually have a concept project coming with him this year. And a poem is how we ended it. I wanted to tap back into it because I hadn’t done it in a while. So this is me revisiting that and it felt good. It did.  Yeah, it's like a free flow of writing. You're not following a beat. It’s just writing. That was nice. I want to tap back into that. That was a good feeling. 

Validated: Hip Hop turned 50 since the last time we spoke. And I always asked this question because it changes as we evolve in some ways. And then in some ways it always stays the same as well because of the essence of things and the root of how we got involved in this art form. So, tell me, what does Hip-Hop mean to you?

Pretty Bulli: Hip-Hop is still life to me, it is everything. It's a way of life. A way that we express ourselves. It's a community. It's a family. Hip-Hop is an upbringing for us. This is our history in the makings. Hip-Hop is the shit for lack of better words. 

Validated: Would you say that the Sway in the Morning Show has now become your most memorable moment as an artist?

Pretty Bulli: For myself, yes. Now there's been people that have been watching my career and they feel otherwise but for me absolutely. That has been unmatched thus far. That's all.

Validated: Bulli anything else you want to let the people know?

Pretty Bulli: Then and Now produced by Kid Called Quest is dropping March 29th. That baby is coming and more to follow. 

Validated: You know we're gonna be tapped in on that on this side absolutely. It's always a pleasure talking to you, Queen. Thank you once again for gracing us. 

Pretty Bulli: Thank you.