DIVA chat to Hot Brown Honey’s Hope Haami ahead of their performance at London’s Southbank Centre
Equal parts theatrical masterpiece and social activism, Hot Brown Honey is a "stellar posse of phenomenal women smashing stereotypes in an unapologetic celebration of our similarities and differences". (And they've got our full attention already…)
Here, Eveline Vouillemin, catches up with HBH member and World Beatbox Championship finalist, Hope Haami — aka Hope One — to find out a little more about the all-female posse ahead of their performance at London's Southbank Centre.
Hope One, Hot Brown Honey
Originally from NZ, of Maori descent, and fabulously queer, Hope One is one of the top female beatboxers in the world. Running classes for kids, she became a beatboxer partly because the boys she grew up with told her, "Girls can’t beatbox." We love her already.
DIVA: What’s the most exciting thing about being part of performance posse, Hot Brown Honey?
HOPE ONE: Being in a group of fierce empowered Women of Colour who support each other and being able to watch growth and change within our audience and communities!
Why do you think there’s been such a positive reaction to Hot Brown Honey and your most recent show?
Because it speaks to so many different types of people on so many levels — people who may have felt alone on a topic instantly feel empowered when we bring the issues to surface in the most boss way we can! People feel heard, empowered, inspired and reenergised to keep going forth on their journey.
You've said that you represent the LGBTQ+ community in the show. How does it explore queerness?
Hot Brown Honey is an act of queer resistance. The show challenges the status quo on many levels and we get to celebrate our power through our stories, our voices and our bodies. That to me is queer AF. Our aim is to give audiences as well as us as performers the space to reimagine our identities. By being centre stage we get to show the world who we can be through our strength and diversity — I also get to glitter orgasm. (Brilliant).
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Hope One
How do you think humour can reduce the power of racist and sexist stereotypes?
Humour is able to break through thick defensive walls and deliver a message in a way that’s not intrusive or harsh.
What first attracted you to beatboxing?
That it was kind of underground but still a crazy phenomenon at the time Rahzel dropped his album in 2001, this is when I was very curious and wanting to learn. When I hit up my boys to teach me, they refused and said it was "a male thing to do", that just made me even more determined.
What’s a highlight of your career so far?
Playing the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre with Hot Brown Honey will definitely be a highlight of my career! Ranking as one of the top four female beatboxers at the World Beatbox Championships, and being apart of The Beatbox Alliance crew who are written in Beatbox History, just to name a few more! Everything I do in my career is a highlight, really. I love every minute of what I do.
What advice would you give to aspiring female and LGBTQ+ beatboxers?
I want you to really know your path and goals and to align yourself with them, what is it you want out of beatboxing? Be honest with yourself. From there, practise and say YES! to every opportunity — even if the thought of it makes you feel scared. The more fear you overcome the better your self confidence and the sooner you’ll progress in any career. And of course, practise your “snares” the entire time.
Why is it so important to you to mentor young people?
Young people are our future leaders. Feeding them with tools for greatness is important as it will flourish within their growth.
And finally, are you working on any new projects this summer?
I’m working on new and exciting material for Hot Brown Honey, have a new duo show in the works with my friend and guitarist, Sarah Koppen, and I’ve just started my YouTube channel.
That's it, we're off to subscribe immediately.
Catch HBH at London's Southbank Centre from 24 – 28 July 2018, for tickets click here, and at the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, from 3 – 27 August. For more visit facebook.com/hotbrownhoney or follow them on Twitter here
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