Through the Fire: ScarLip’s Anthemic Journey

ScarLip’s music doesn’t just hit hard—it heals and howls with honesty. From her breakout anthem “This Is New York” to her deeply personal debut mixtape Scarred B4 Fame, she isn’t rapping to entertain. She’s rapping to express her passion and reflect her journey through raw, unapologetic art.

Long before the viral freestyles and major label co-signs, ScarLip was just a quiet, introverted girl with a notebook. At 12, she discovered poetry as an outlet—an early emotional escape from a life that often felt too heavy. Middle school ELA classes deepened her love for writing, but it was the voice of DMX that cracked something open inside her.

“DMX sounded like how I felt,” she says. “That pain in his voice made me feel like I wasn’t alone.” His rawness, his spiritual struggle, his ability to be hard and human—ScarLip saw herself in all of it.

Raised in the Bronx and shaped by Brooklyn, ScarLip’s artistry is pure New York. The Bronx gave her a hip-hop education; Brooklyn gave her style and swagger. “The city gave me hustle,” she says. “It’s in the sound, the hunger, the way I walk into a room.”

At 16, after dropping out of school, she wrote her first rap. Poetry had fallen away, but music—especially the rise of women like Cardi B—called her back. One night, she posted a freestyle online and it went viral. That was the moment she realized this could be more than just a way to cope—it could be her career.

Her debut project, Scarred B4 Fame, isn’t just music—it’s a memoir. Every track bleeds with the grit of a young woman raised in the foster care system, scarred by life but still standing. “It represents my life, my struggle, and my whole journey— from my pain, strength, and growth,” she says. “This project means everything to me.”

Songs like “Runaway Love Freestyle,” featuring the vocals of Mary J. Blige, embody that mission. ScarLip wrote this track while channeling her own story to inspire others the way Blige once inspired her. It started as a freestyle—until Swizz Beatz heard it and insisted it become a full record.

Swizz Beatz isn’t just a producer in ScarLip’s world—he’s family. Their relationship began after he reposted her work and heard her unreleased track, “This Is New York,” captivated by her raw energy. Soon, they were in the studio building something real.

“Swizz taught me so much,” ScarLip says. “Be kind, stay focused, don’t chase numbers, just flow.” With his guidance, she found both creative freedom and industry discipline. He helped shape Scarred B4 Fame, bringing not just beats, but belief.

That belief turned into surreal moments—like when Swizz surprised her with a verse of “Pop That” featuring none other than Lil Wayne. “I was in the car when I heard the verse that Swizz sent me with Wayne on it,” she laughs. “I almost crashed. That’s how crazy it was. I was so excited that it was surreal.”

Tracks like “Melanin” showcase another layer of ScarLip’s mission: empowering Black women. “I made it for the girls who feel overlooked,” she explains. “It’s about loving your skin, your strength, your story.” Fans reach out daily, saying the song made them feel seen. That, to ScarLip, is the real win.

After signing with Epic Records, she gained the resources to amplify her message. “I always had the creativity, but Epic gave me the tools—studios, campaigns, real backing,” she says. “Now I have freedom and support, and I plan to use these resources to reach my audience and to push a positive message through my creativity.”

“This Is New York” was her launchpad. She was still living in the projects when it went viral. DJ Suss One played it back-to-back ten times on the radio, and ScarLip couldn’t believe it at that moment. Soon, DJ Druski, Funk Flex, and many others were spinning it live on the radio.

From performing at Yankee Stadium to walking the BET Awards stage, she’s turning moments into milestones. She even landed a spot on the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack—a full-circle moment that felt like divine confirmation.

Being named to the XXL 2024 Freshman Class was the stamp of respect she didn’t know she needed. “It made me feel like a real emcee,” she says. “Like people see me for my pen, not just my voice or energy.”

When asked about her place among female rappers, ScarLip doesn’t hesitate. “We all bring something different. My lane? It’s being real. I think I helped bring back that raw, lyrical energy.” She stressed the importance of supporting other female artists and knowing that there truly is space for all of them to win and that they all bring something unique and different to the table.

Despite the attention, ScarLip stays rooted. “I was already internet famous before the rap game, so I was used to the eyes,” she says. “But now, it feels like love. Like people are really listening.”

She credits God for the timing of everything. “I believe in signs, in dreams,” she says. “I’ve seen moments before they happened. I know I’m walking in my purpose.”

Still, she’s honest about the grind. “People think the hard part is getting in. Nah—the work starts once you’re in. Rehearsals, gym, shows, interviews. It’s 10 times harder now.” She stresses that once you’re in the music business, this is when you truly have to work in order to stay relevant and to continuously keep growing.

For every girl in the Bronx and Brooklyn who thinks she’s alone in her fight, ScarLip is living proof that you’re not. “Take it day by day. Smile more. You’re stronger than you know. And you deserve to experience what’s on the other side of not giving up.”

With Scarred B4 Fame, she’s building more than a fanbase—she’s building a movement. “I want it to be proof that you can survive, you can shine, and you can create whatever it is that you like.”

Her voice is for all the girls who never thought theirs would matter—and now, they do. Remember, your story is powerful, your pain is valid, and your dreams are worth fighting for. Keep speaking your truth because the world needs your light to break through the darkness. Let ScarLip’s testimony and journey be the fire that ignites your courage to rise, transform, and claim the future you deserve.