Female rap is alive and well – but not really in all that many forms. We have Nicki Minaj, we have Iggy Azalea…Angel Haze is making some noise – but that’s where it ends. No female has really put on for the south in quite some time, but Gangsta Boo and La Chat have teamed up to change that. On May 27th, the duo will release Witch, a joint EP led by their catchy new single, “B*tchy.” Below, the pair discuss the project, Three 6 Mafia and more.

I recently had the chance to sit down with Southern hip hop royalty, Gangsta Boo & La Chat! The two are planning the release of their next album, Witch. This is definitely going to be a project that I can’t wait for, and I know the streets are hungry for it, too. Gangsta Boo says fellow Three 6 member, DJ Paul created the title for the album. However, everything from the concept & foundation of the album was 100% from the ladies. That’s why I’m so excited for this project. “Witch” is going to be a dark, mystic, and empowering album for women who aren’t afraid to take charge, make their own money, and get business handled! Every morning, Gangsta Boo says she greets her Twitter followers with encouragement relating to the thought process behind the album. When she says “Have a witchy day”, “cast a spell” or “look into your crystal ball”, that’s Boo’s way of telling fans to go out and get it by any means…even if you have to charm a few people to do it.

“Witch” started out as a mixtape, but when you have a product as good as this, why not get money for it? That’s just what Boss witches do! Boo says mixtapes usually do better than albums, and that’s the mindset with how they approached this project before Wes Phillips gave them the idea to put it up for sale. Good idea since the album will be available next month on iTunes. “It’s typical Boo & Chat. Just real, and for the hood,” GB told me. La Chat & Gangsta Boo have also released the first single from the album, called “Bitchy”. This. Is. My. Jam! Produced by DJ Paul, who went in his bag on the boards for this one, “Bitchy” is a song by fearless women to other fearless women. Hate if you want to, but you won’t phase anybody on the track, especially after hearing all three verses from Gangsta Boo, La Chat, and Mia X who makes a hard appearance on verse 2. Don’t worry, the fellas will have their favorites on this album too. “Our music is for everyone: females, dudes, it don’t matter,” Boo says. But, before you jump to conclusions, Juicy J will NOT be appearing on the album! I know! There’s no more bad blood between the two. “He’s just doin’ his thing, getting his money, and I’m doin’ the same,” she says. GB also said that Three 6 Mafia (including Juicy) are working on an album together for us in the near future, so don’t fret too much.

There will be more releases from the Witch EP coming very soon in the days before the official drop. Something I’m dying to hear is the next track to be dropped called “Can’t Sit with Us”, produced by Lil J (On the Track). It’s got that summertime feel to it, and La Chat says, “It’s going to be exactly the same [as ‘Bitchy’] but different”. Well, if it’s produced by Lil J, the man behind “Rock Yo Hips”, “Stilettos” and “Knuck If You Buck”, I know it’ll be one for the fly ladies only. The album will feature production from DJ Paul, Drumma Boy, Will Power, DJ Squeaky and more. And get ready for the official “Witch Merch” to drop!!! La Chat & Gangsta Boo will be releasing a line of apparel to accompany the album with everything from hats, to shirts, and even cosmetics with Boo’s very own nail polish! Gangsta Boo is also taking new avenues with her music as well; “There will be no more mixtapes,” she says, letting us know that she’s working on an EDM album, and working with club/performance DJs like Steve Aoki and more. Knowing her, she’ll bring some new heat to a different genre, bringing her even closer to new streets and new ears than ever before. As you can see, Gangsta Boo & La Chat are two MCs in the game who have NOT been sleeping. Witch drops May 27th.

Interview: Iris Elston