Share

During an era where female artists are taking over the rap game, Pap Chanel shines through with flying colors. With her slogan being “Pretty & Paid,” also the title to her debut project, the Georgia native is a true country girl, with the drive and passion to become one of the greats. 

Inspired directly by Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown, and Lady Gaga, Pap prides herself in being a show stopper, here to take over the entertainment industry as whole — not just music. Exuding beauty both inside and out, real name Jaida Chanel Roby began writing raps at the young age of 12, and freestyling at 14. Soon, she’d garner millions of views on SoundCloud — one being her freestyle over Tee Grizzley’s “First Day Out,” giving her the push to hone in on her artistry full-heartedly. 

Fast forward to today, Pap Chanel recently unveiled the second installment to her Pretty & Paid series, Pretty & Paid 2.0. Additionally, she landed a standout feature on STARZ’s P Valley Soundtrack for her song “Everything you want” as well as a placement in Hulu’s Woke, for her song “2 WAY STREET” featuring Blac Youngsta.

Sheen Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Pap Chanel in person in downtown Los Angeles to discuss her sound, how she got her name, studio essentials, “Apple Jacks,” her fashion, collabing with PrettyLittleThing, and more!

For those who don’t know, who is Pap Chanel?

A girl that’s Pretty and Paid, real country girl. I’m finna be a spokesperson for all bad bitches.

How would you describe your sound?

My sound was built off of trials and tribulations that I’ve experienced over life, and I like to put that in my music. I’m a storyteller, I’m a poet. I don’t like to say that I make music, I like to say I’m an artist. I create visual representations of things that I’ve experienced. And hey, I be painting pictures! I’m a female Picasso. [laughs]

How did you get your name?

When I was in middle school, I always said, “I’m Pretty and Paid. Don’t play with me, I’m Pretty and Paid.” Once I started doing the freestyles, I said okay, Pretty and Paid can be part of my name. Chanel is my actual middle name, so I put it together. It was actually supposed to be P.A.P Chanel. I went to Atlanta, one time I was about to perform. The DJ said, Pap Chanel’s about to come to the stage!” I said “he didn’t say my name right, but I kinda like that. Okay I’m Pap, yeah! Come on let’s do it.” [laughs] 

3 things you need in the studio at all times?

I need some Lays chips, the yellow bag. I need some Texas heat to put in there, and I need a bottle. And some weed, I need 4 things. [laughs]

I love your song “Apple Jacks”!

Thank you. Ratchetivities! [laughs] I made that song in an hour. The more days go by and I keep hearing it, girl you was turnt! The studio was the club that day, because I was so damn fast. I had did the Uproxx performance yesterday and I noticed how fucking fast I was rapping it. I was like damn!

How was it shooting the music video?

It was super fun. I was happy that I was able to work with two options because I have the first one with all my friends twerking at the red light, on top of the car. The actual real video with the concept behind it at the beauty parlor now, it was super fun. “Apple Jacks” is a super fun song.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

I would say risque. I like to be risque. I will go to a store and I don’t care what the occasion is, if I like the outfit, I’m gonna get it. Sorry. [laughs]

You have a collab with PrettyLittleThing?

Yes! We had one weekend, I went to the headquarters and met the team. The vibes were there. I’m super excited to be over there. Why not? I’m Pretty & Paid, let me y’all PrettyLittleThang. I’m super excited, this is not going to be the last time. I know we gon’ keep this going, I’m probably gon’ have a lifetime of PrettyLittleThing clothes too. I’m finna look sexy.

What other brand do you like?

I like Dolls Kill. I actually have a brand, Pretty & Paid. I have Pretty & Paid merch, you gotta tap in.

What are your beauty go-to’s?

I have the most craziest routine when it comes down to makeup and my face. I be trying to give advice, but honestly, I do not do the same thing every day. Some days, I just wash my face with soap and be like okay. Next day, I’m going Kim Kardashian, putting all these oils on my face. [laughs] 

You have great skin!

Thank you! I’m a country girl, so I go to the hair store to buy my makeup. A lot of girls go to Ulta Beauty, I go to the hair store.

What does Black Girl Magic mean to you?

Oh it’s a lifestyle baby. Viola, magic. It can’t be on you, it gotta be in you. Black Girl Magic is like eternity. It’s speaking in the sense of a lifetime thing because we’re always going to be magical. We are the queens of the queens. We play no games. Black Girl Magic, we got that magic.

What does 1865 mean to you? I see your chain.

The Emancipation Proclamation. 1865, my ancestors were free. The real July 4th. [laughs]

What do you want fans to get from your story?

I want them to get the fact that hey, this world is going to come with trials and tribulation. It’s going to be a lot of trial and error before you get to that point in your life where you feel you are happy with yourself. I want people to know that regardless of what you do, bad shit’s going to happen. It is what it is. Don’t give up and keep going. I want people to relate to me. 

One thing that the industry has always missed is a female artist, like Meek Mill, Tupac. A storyteller, somebody who talks about the good, bad, and ugly. I want people to take that from my story. I want people to know I’m a boss ass bitch, but at the end of the day I’m the most relatable too at the same time. Bossy and relatable, okay? [laughs]