Debra Antney is no stranger to the female rap game.
Antney, a major figure in hip-hop management, is closely tied to the early stages of some of the genre’s leading artists. Her potent background has led to her success in reality television, where her dedicated work ethic in managing female artists is highlighted.
Known for her significant role in Nicki Minaj’s early career, her expertise is in female rappers. Antney has demonstrated her wit on the reality television shows Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, Growing Up Hip Hop, and Waka & Tammy: What the Flocka, the latter two of which she executive produced. In 2024, she continues this role with Deb’s House, where she also serves as executive producer.
“They are like my blank canvases. Who are you? I need to know if your name is Teresa, I need to know who Teresa is,” Antney shared in our interview last week. “I don’t need to know who Mama Koo is. I need to know Teresa. Let me know who she is. Because one of the things that a lot of these women know is there’s an alter ego. You have to have alter egos. We all have alter egos. Now you have to learn how to bring that person out and you have to know when to cut her on and cut her off.”
Affectionately known as Ms. Deb or Aunt Deb, her tough yet nurturing approach resonates deeply with aspiring female rap artists. Aunt Deb is committed to understanding the woman behind the artistic persona, delving into their backgrounds, childhoods, traumas, victories, and true character. Ms. Deb takes these insights and applies them to help develop and drive the artistic growth of these aspiring hip-hop talents.
In 2008, Antney brought Nicki Minaj under her wing at Mizay Entertainment, her Atlanta-based management firm founded the previous year. She led the driven Playtime Is Over rapper from New York City to Atlanta, seeking broader industry prospects. Not long after, Minaj met Lil Wayne and joined Young Money. Antney was aware of the tough journey Minaj endured, demonstrating the power of resilience and the formidable work ethic of a woman in hip-hop.
“She went through a lot. It’s more than what people know. And that was the most difficult thing for me in dealing with female artists because I always looked for her and not just her image,” said Antney. “Like the way she presented herself and stuff like that, but it was her work ethic. That’s what people don’t get. Nicki’s work ethic is ridiculous. She didn’t do dating. She didn’t do partying. She didn’t do drugs. She didn’t do all of that stuff that people keep saying.”
Utilizing Antney’s meticulous recruitment process, guided by her unique perspective and complete direction, Ms. Deb is searching for her next blank canvas to mold. For the seasoned manager, selection extends beyond rapping skills, focusing on the contestant’s readiness for the sacrifices required in a male-dominated industry. However, in recent years, women in hip-hop have experienced a resurgence, offering diverse styles from Rapsody to Cardi B. Individuality is one of Antney’s key factors in management.
“The competition is really against themselves. It’s not against each other,” Antney affirmed. “Anybody that knows me knows I’m never going to put two women up against each other. I don’t do that. You’re not the same person. You’re not who the next person is. You’re your own individual.”
“I don’t classify people as a whole, like we’re all the same. Yes, we’re all women, but we’re not the same. We go through different things. And every one of these women has gone through a lot.”
Deb’s House
Earlier this year, a visit to her hometown of New York City to begin filming Deb’s House made Antney realize the crucial role of the city’s ambiance in this hip-hop initiative. Her difficult upbringing in Queens developed her resilience. The New York drive and hip-hop culture were essential, resulting in the decision to base Deb’s House in the city and to choose co-judges TT Torrez, a multi-media personality, and L. Londell McMillan, Esq, owner of The Source Magazine.
“Londell was my manager and a lawyer to me, but we’ve always remained really close. T.T. being a program director at Hot 97—Hot 97 is it. And who better than to have her in there?,” said Antney.
“It was important for me to have a woman there. Londell is going to shoot from the hip if I’m going in the wrong direction.”
“I need to bring some of the underdogs. I need to bring some of the people that’s responsible for some of your stuff and you don’t even know it,” she continued.
Antney envisions Deb’s House as more than a mere music competition. Her goal is to instill a sense of authenticity in the eight contestants. “We’re powerful. I don’t think women give themselves enough credit to know the power that you have,” she passionately proclaims. By providing mentorship, Antney hopes to guide the contestants to realize their full potential and embrace their power.
Among the eight contestants on Deb’s House is Queen Izzy, a Nigerian American rapper from Raleigh who gave up her job and risked her father’s disapproval to follow her rap career. Rocky from Philly, with a difficult childhood behind her, is now facing the demands of discipline. Detroit’s Big Dank, tied to a viral freestyle, is enhancing her showmanship while dealing with weight challenges. The range of contestants in Deb’s House reflects the various obstacles young women face when entering the rap game.
Antney’s expertise in managing rap artists extends beyond Nicki Minaj. Mizay Entertainment played a key role during the 2009 rise of Atlanta-based rap, handling the early peak years of Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka (her rapstar son), and also worked with New York’s French Montana. Recently, she has managed female rapper Kash Doll and multi-talented Jhonni Blaze, whose relationship with Antney was featured on the reality show Growing Up Hip-Hop.
Deb’s House ensures a rigorous yet gratifying journey for the eight aspiring rappers, arming them with the tools and mindset crucial for success in the vicious hip-hop industry. Observers are witnessing an unconventional approach to determining the prospects of a rap career in 2024. As Antney herself puts it, “Whatever goes on in Deb’s House, stays in Deb’s House. And this is my house. I run this right here. Y’all not running this.”
Deb’s House airs Fridays at 10pm ET on WE tv and ALLBLK.
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