In the Jamaican ska era of the 1960s, a DJ would "spin the wax" and an MC would sing or dub poetry over it.

Saturday, March 03, 2001

In the Jamaican ska era of the 1960s, a DJ would "spin the wax" and an MC would sing or dub poetry over it.

That was the roots of hip-hop which was brought to New York City by Kool DJ Herc. But hip-hop was actually created in New York City.

Traci Fisher, a 1994 graduate of Ironton High School has dreams of entering the hip-hop industry.

"I am a spoken-word artist and MC," she said. "The first hip-hop-related performance I did was in the ninth or 10th grade – it was a commercial for a campaign called ‘Party Smart, Party Sober.’"

Since that time, Traci has been writing poetry and listening to hip-hop music. In 1995, she started writing songs -including some country songs for a local artist, Kelley Greco – that she may use for a demo.

Fisher is about to release a single, a love song called "All I Need." It was recorded at Tazmaniac Studios in Huntington, W.Va. and produced by Michael Crawford.

Fisher recently took a demo tape to New York City. While she was there, she met Chubb Rock. Rock, who has his own production company, was impressed with Traci’s music and feels she can make it in the business as a hip-hop star.

Rock gave her beats to write songs to and wants her to record a demo in his studio.

"It was like a dream, she said. "All these years, now it’s looks as if it will be coming true."

Between raising her son Shawn and recording, Fisher has also compiled a book of 30 poems called "Modern Feelosophy."

Not only has she written poetry and songs, she also has written a movie called "Fingerprints."