Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Porter.
Sierra is a journalist and creative writer from Atlanta, GA. A recent graduate from Georgia State University, she has interviewed big names in media and entertainment such as Bobby Brown, Jermaine Dupri, the cast of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Zaytoven, Jemele Hill, Tichina Arnold, Mehgan James, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Erika Alexander, and more. Sierra is a freelance journalist for Rolling Out, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Atlanta Voice. She is also the founder of CeeSoDope.com dedicated to hip-hop and entertainment. Her love for hip-hop can be traced back to the sounds of OutKast, Tupac, & Bone Thugs n Harmony. The name CeeSoDope comes from her belief that she is dope in everything she does. Maintaining an ambitious attitude is how she strives for success.
Hip-hop is the most beautiful storyteller I ever met. –Cee
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely Not. Lol, some of the struggles I face and still face is trying to have an impactful voice in hip-hop. I remember watching shows like “Pump It Up” with Dee Barnes on YouTube saying I would love to do something like that. I also remember seeing “Yo! MTV Raps.” Watching those re-runs made me fall in love with hip-hop. Me starting CeeSoDope helped me to combine hip-hop and my interest in the entertainment world altogether. So, while I may know what’s going on with artists such as Drake, Cardi B, and Nicki Minaj, I also know of people such as Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Ice-T, N.W.A, and Sylvia Robinson. Robinson is credited for putting the Sugarhill Gang, and Sugar Hill records together. I think being multifaceted in entertainment, but having a keen knowledge of hip-hop makes me stand out.
Advice for women in my field is to find a way that sets you apart. Many people want to be in entertainment and be a media correspondent. You have to find a way to show how you’re different than everybody else around you. Having a specialty can help you achieve that. For those who want to start, start. I will also say it’s okay to have inspirations, but don’t spend time trying to compare yourself to others or copy what someone else is doing. I know that can be difficult especially with the power of social media, but try to perfect your unique craft.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with CeeSoDope – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I blog, freelance, do poetry, cover events, interviews, speaking engagements, and edit my own videos. In other words, I’m dope in everything. I write a lot about entertainment, but I specialize in hip-hop. I loved it since I was a little girl. I grew up being a huge Chris Brown fan, and I remember when YouTube first was created, I was browsing and heard an N.W.A. record. I fell in love with hip-hop ever since then. I think having various skills makes me that more special. I’m a published poet, writer, and hopefully one day author. I’m known for my work, and that’s exactly how I like it. As a brand, I’m proud of my growth. I remember I took a year off from blogging due to some personal issues and when I started blogging again, I was looking at an old post that I wrote about Tupac Shakur’s biopic. It had over 19,000 views. I was so proud of myself because sometimes I feel as though nobody is going to appreciate or care about what I have to say, but they did and still do. As stated before, my love for hip-hop sets me apart. I know for a fact I can hold a conversation about hip-hop with Dr. Dre, Ed Lover, Fab 5 Freddy, and many more.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Yes! In middle school, I was considered the mouth of the south. I knew everything that was going on entertainment. I would come to school, and people would say “Did you hear about so and so?” I already knew who and what they were talking about. I also grew up around an older sister and cousins who enjoyed the likes of OutKast, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and my mother was a huge Tupac fan. I think being around an older crowd that made me appreciate their music set me up for success in my field. My cousins would even tell me about their many visits to Atlanta just to come to Freaknik. I also remember coming home to catch 106&Park like it was the Oprah show (laughs). Good times that shaped my love for music and entertainment.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://ceesodope.com
- Email: CeeSoDope@Yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceesodope__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeeSoDope2015/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CeeSoDope
- Other: https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=wX
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
