Goldengirl- Leaving a Little Gold Dust on Her Listeners

I was going through our many emails on Myspace when I came across one that was very interesting to me. “When can I get my interview and be featured in your mag?” asked Goldengirl.
Know as the “Chick with the Diamond Whip”, Goldengirl has been heating up the airwaves at Power 99 in Philly for more than 10 years. Her talk show, “Lovetalk & Slowjamz” is one of the sexiest shows in the tri-state area bring listeners seductive and raw conversation about what else... SEX. People call in to comment on topics ranging from making love to your wife, and/or to the outrageous threesomes in the park during the day.

Celebrities from Ice T to Jermaine Dupri have shared themselves with the Black Barbee (another name she is known by). The conversations are raw and real and the show keeps listeners talking at the coffee cooler for days.

Goldengirl has also become very popular for her “Lock Down for Love” segment when callers send shout outs to their loved ones. The show’s popularity increased when Lil Kim served her bid at the Federal Detention Center in Philly. Every night she would tell her to stay strong and keep her head up and according to Lil Kim, “She got me through plenty of nights. I will always love her because she gave me so much support.”

Goldengirl is also very active in her community— always giving back by using her celebrity to inform the youth on the importance of education and safe sex. Her “28 Schools in 28 Days” kicks off for Black History Month.

What caught my attention about Goldengirl is how people feel that they can be open with her about anything no matter how outrageous or troubling the conversation may be. In 2005, Stephen Poaches spoke with her about his then missing girlfriend Latoyia Figueroa. The conversation became very heated. Shortly after, he was captured and is now serving time for her death and the death of their unborn child.

I emailed Goldengirl and told her that I definitely wanted to connect and after several plays of phone tag and schedule changes, we met up at the studio to chat with Philly’s own, as she was doing what she does best.

Never meeting or seeing the her in person, I was surprised that such a big personality came from such a petite lady. We sat and listened to her converse with a caller that said he had a sexual experience involving double penetration. By her response, it was clear why people were drawn to her. She is very down to earth and a great listener. She was showing no judgment making them feel secure while talking so personal on the radio.

During her break, we experienced Goldengirl on a more personal level as she shared herself to us for you.


How did you get the name Goldengirl?
I got the name from my brother Goldenboy who worked at the station forever.

How does Goldengirl fit your persona?
Perfectly! There is no better way to describe me and many others have agreed.

You have been known as the “Chick with the Diamond Whip”, how did that begin?
The whip thing is a moniker that has been with me since I started in VA (Virginia) and it was something that caught on. Initially, it was a sound effect and I was carrying a little tiny whip around and people started getting more interested in it. The whip has grown into a diamond whip, a gold studded whip and other custom made whips.

Tell us about your recent endeavor with your book Sex and Celebrities: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and The Naked Truth. Explain the truth?
Well, Heather it’s exactly that— it is what it is. The truth to me is when you don’t lie. You don’t hold back and add to a story to make it something that it is not.

Explain the whole truth?
There are several parts to the book. There are three parts as I would describe it and one of those parts is the sex and celebrities and that is the story that they told me from their own mouths, therefore the whole truth is what I put in my book. I also share my experiences with the celebrities. Another part is the sex guide and that is as real as I can get and I am not going to lie.

Are you a sexpert?
Yes I am!

What makes you so and what are the responses that people have to your sex expertise?
For the most part, people love the advice that I give them. They are now willing to pay for the advice. I went and got an office so that I could speak with them one on one. The response has been very good.

The book is very interesting and the relationship with you and Ralph Tresvant of New Edition is an eye catcher, how did that begin without giving too many details?
It began in Philly. I wasn’t actually interested in them but my friends were and I had to hook them up so that they could meet them. I was interested in Bobby Brown because he was the man and I was trying to see him (laughter). With Ralph it wasn’t planned.

Were you the woman that he wanted to be “Sensitive” for?
(laughter) You know what—I was probably one of the ladies as far as I know.

What is your relationship today?
We are cordial and everything. I don’t call and talk to him but when he comes to town he calls me. He was a little nervous about my response and if I still felt negative from our past. It also was in regards to when I was going to talk about in the book.
Do you think that your pass has harmed you in anyway?
No, not at all. Where I am now is where I am supposed to be.

How does your family feel about your accomplishments?
My family is very proud of me. Regarding the book, I am not sure how many of them read it and I would not encourage them to do so, but they are proud at how far I have come.

Let get back to you... What is your special gift to the world?
My special gift is to help people and that is children and adults. Empowering is my main talent.

You are very involved in the community and you played a big part in the Latoyia Figueroa case, do you want to elaborate on that?
My next book will be my conversation with a killer. It still boggles my mind why he called me and Latoyia situation really affected my life...

Explain.
Just to give you the reality of it all, I suffered from sleep deprivation a year after. The call from him rang in my head and it still does. It’s hard to explain but I hear about similar stories like Lacy Peterson, and I am reminded of Latoyia. There have been many people that have come to me since then to help them find their kids. I have helped find young runaways that were not dead.

How long have you known you were able to connect with people so intimately?
I didn’t know that I was able to do this. It is a gift and a curse. I have to be careful not to really hurt anyone. I have to be careful not to give a tongue lashing that would hurt people but help. I have to sum it up by saying that God speaks through me.

You seem to be a ray of hope to those doing time why is that?
One of my friends and I started it together. We know that people are depending on those shout outs and we like to keep it going.

What is the relationship between you and Lil Kim since your dedications to her?
She really loves me and we speak often. She is coming to town soon and we will be working together. She really respected what I was doing. She feels that she is forever indebted to me. We are really cool.

What are some of the positive things going on that you’ve heard about?
There are so many things that are going on. Be sure to check out my “28 Schools for 28 Days” where I bring along nationally known speakers and artists that are able to bring hope to the children in the urban community.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Definitely helping my people and doing as television show. Still doing radio of course...

What are the last few words that you would like to leave with the readers?
Keep your faith and anything that you want you can have. Be helpful to each other and we can achieve that together. Remember to B.I.G. Believe in God as he is going to be there always.

Heather Elitou- Interviewer

Book Review- Rap-Up

Title: Rap- Up: the Ultimate Guide to Hip-Hop and R&B
Author: Cameron & Devin Lazerine
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pub. Date: 2/28/08
Price: $16.00
ISBN: 978-0-446-17820-4

Rap has taken the world by storm no doubt. Since its debut in the late 70's (early 80's) it has captured the imagination of children and adults alike. Many adults today in their middle ages are children of the first generation of rap. In Philadelphia, PA African American mayor Michael Nutter was once known as “DJ Mixmaster Mike” during his mixing and scratching days. Therefore, hip hop has long before come out of boom boxes and dance clubs in the hood; it is now in the world of politics.

Hip Hop has become the music that fuels the nations as of recent years. It is used in every aspect of the media and it has far reached outside of the hood. It has crossed the seas and touched others across the world. Hip hop has become a movement!

The style of music that was once considered a passing fad has been going more than 20 years strong, diving into the world of business. For most, Rap music has been positive in the lives of the youth with more than just dance moves. B-boys and B-girls have become entrepreneurs creating brand names bringing in millions of dollars. From food to fashion, major corporations have been more than pleased with the revenue that they have received from advertising with hip-hop.

Hip hop has also been a reason to stop and think about society as it grows and changes every day. Many think that crime of the inner cities is connected to hip hop, but it no longer resides in this heavy populated area. Loud beats, baggy jeans, and gun crimes are now reaching the suburbs causing specialists to dig deep into the understanding of the music and how it affects people’s way of thinking because the rebellious lyrics just may be a cause for alarm.

Rap-Up, written by the Cameron & Devin Lazerine who are also the creators of Rap-Up Magazine endeavors to give us an overview of the hip-hop movement. It is an informative book that gives you the history behind your favorite artists yesterday and today. Learn how:

L.L. Cool J got his start
Run DMC connects with Def Jam
Salt-N-Pepa became female icons
And much more

The Lazerine brothers gradually bring us from yesterday into the future with the scoop on Jay-Z, Beenie Seigel, Eve and 50 cent.
Although this book keeps you very informed of the artists and their contributions to hip-hop, it fell short in giving us the culture of hip-hop which is the very essence that makes it the phenomenon that has taken over the music industry.

For those of you who are looking to learn some of the methods of the big players in the game there is plenty of information on how each artists brought something unique to the table and changed certain ways of doing things for the better. Learn from the pros and build your own plan to succeed in the Rap Game.

related articles Who is the Grandfather of Hip Hop?

Aalim Elitou- Reviewer

Literary Review- Passin'

Title: Passin’
Author: Karen E. Quinones Miller
Publisher: Grand Central publishing
Publishing Date: 2/15/08
Price: $13.99
ISBN: 0-446-69605-6

If you are looking for your average run of the mill boy meets girl book, then Passin’ is not the book to read. Passin’ is one of the most controversial books written by Karen E. Quinones Miller thus far. You can expect a lot of talk around the topic of this book. This story has color that goes beyond the issue of black and white.

Shanika Ann Jenkins is so light that she is often mistaken for a Caucasian. The family tradition of only marrying those of light skin and good hair are passed down to Shanika giving her blue eyes and blond hair as well. She is very proud of her African American heritage and quick to put anyone who doubts that she is African American in their place—until she applies for a job in New York.

What is she to do when she could get the job of her life but they are only looking to hire a white woman? Does she pass for white? This is what she has to ponder when she interviews at Paxon & Green PR firm.
The company is looking to hire someone that is African American—but they have to look African American (dark skin, thick hair, etc.). But what if she decides to fill out the application and say that she is white?

Life begins to take on a new meaning the moment that she makes her decision causing her to meet new people in high places—Shanika is living the life! One of the highlights of her new found life is meeting Tyrone, who she falls in love with. Things are going great until tragedy strikes and she is forced to reveal her secret life to him and his family. Shanika is now forced to look at herself and realize that life is better lived in truth and that the deeper you live within your lie, the harder it is to climb out of it. Would it be easier to just say that she is black? It may sound easier than it really is.

Will changing her identity be a mistake? Will she lose the love and trust of her mother and brother? What happens when she runs into a family member on the street? How long will she live the lie?

This book is definitely a must read! There is not a lot of drama but the novel is not slow. A lot of interesting questions came to mind as I was reading such as:
* What would be the reaction of white readers to know that some blacks pass for white?
* How often do people pass in society and for how long and why?

Thank you Karen for such a great book and I hope that there is a part 2!

Question: Is it ever legitimate to pass? Do you think that passin’ shows a lack of cultural pride? I look forward to your response in the comment block…

Agasa Elitou- Reviewer