Nyambura Njee aka Problematic Black Hottie, third from left, is a Detroit-based DJ and visual artist. This photo was taken at her Hottie’s World event at Spotlite Detroit with guest DJs (left to right) Shacoi @justshacoi, Oscar Vasquez @ooze.official , @problematicblackhottie and Cashley @cash.moneyrecords
Photo by @deathtomermaids
What does it mean to be a female social media influencer in Detroit?
The Michigan Chronicle spoke to two innovative women on their craft as creatives and on how they build their brand and following in the worlds of music, design, and lifestyle content/blogs.
Check out the Q&A below about their business savvy methods in making waves in Detroit’s creative scene and learn about how they leverage their platforms to challenge setting the tone as Black women creatives.
Music & Design
Nyambura Njee (aka “Problematic Black Hottie”)
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Nyambura Njee, 29, is a 1st generation American DJ and visual artist based in Detroit. Her creative work explores what it means to be “between two cultures” of the United States and Kenya background. Known by her stage name “Problematic Black Hottie,” Njee is a versatile DJ playing around the city’s popular music spots from Spotlite Detroit to Leland City Club.
Check out her Instagram at @problematicblackhottie
Q: What motivated you to become a DJ and did you see yourself developing a following as a cultural creator?
Njee: “I don’t know, DJ-ing kind of called to me and that’s really what made me want to dip my toes into my creativity and DJ-ing just unlocked something in me.
I have always had great taste in music and I just know going out to parties and events, I realized the music scene was very male focused. The male DJs didn’t care for women’s tastes or preferences. Man, these dudes are never gonna play no Britney Spears!
You know, as every Black woman has at least said once in her life, let me do it myself!”
Q: As a visual artist, how would you describe your personal style and artistic expression?
Njee: “It’s about beauty when it comes down to it and as Black woman, just really wanting to be self-assured in my own beauty because that’s not something you get from the outside world. I am creating the kind of world where a Black woman like me could feel comfortable, safe, beautiful, feminine.
These are the kind of imagery of Black women I want to see as bold and colorful, especially seeing this with dark-skinned and bald Black women like myself.”
Q: What were the challenges you had to navigate along the way?
Njee: “I realized after getting into it, nine out of ten DJs are men and so thinking about it from a sociological and anthropological point of view, DJs shape a lot of reality for people to learn socialization and culture. If men are in control, that means they’re controlling the music and the crowd and attitude is being shaped.
It’s really the gatekeeping and cliques you find in scene and just the music industry. It’s a hard reality to contend with, even though you know you’re likely just as, if not, more talented… you learn how to stand on your own and not take disrespect by showing up as a professional and killing that show doing what you do and letting the crowd, your fanbase, and your performance speak for you.”
Lifestyle Blog
AaLona Robinson
Born and raised on Detroit’s eastside, AaLona Robinson, 35, is a certified nurse that runs a luxury lifestyle and self-empowerment blog. Amassing over 24,000 followers, Robison believes Black women should unapologetically be deserving of celebration of self and luxury.
She is the founder of @blackgirlunboxing on Instagram, a community page featuring unapologetically Black women unwrapping purchases or gifts from everyday items to expensive name brands to unapologetically share the joy of the finer things in life.
Check out her Instagram at @aalona and @blackgirlunboxing
Q: You promote @blackgirlunboxing page as a safe space, why did you feel it was important to create a community around un-boxing?
AaLona: “I started Black Girl Un-boxing because I knew a lot of girls like myself that worked and saved their money and took a leap and bought themselves nice things or maybe got a gift or something. There was always this perception that we were scammers, or we have rich boyfriends. Like, naw. We just live our lives, and we work hard. How “Black Girl Un-boxing” came together was it was where we got to be excited about ourselves and a space where other people just got it. It’s not about bragging or flexing, it’s about being proud we work hard and achieve hard for ourselves…we needed a space where Black women trust Black women and know what it’s like to work overtime to get that bag and treat yourself well for it.”
Q: How does your content challenge misconceptions and stereotypes of Black girls and women?
A: “I think we really have to visualize ourselves to the best potential. We didn’t really have many images of ourselves growing up to see what we deserve. I’m 35, so I’m at the top of the millennials and growing up even seeing dark-skinned girls on TV was not common and maybe nowadays its more inclusive to see the differences for Black people living.
We had The Cosby Show, but still the quote “luxury Black girl” was like Hilary Banks and Tony Childs. It was fun but far and few between and I feel like there wasn’t really a space for us to have that kind of life because it’s not associated with Black people or Black women in particular. Like, how dare you? Why do you think you deserve that? There are still comments we receive on the page like “oh, she used her welfare check to buy this thing or she’s in debt or if she didn’t have a man, she wouldn’t have that. There’s always a negative connotation of Black women having stuff. This page is for us, though. To visualize and motivate and support a community center for knowing our worth.”
Q: If Detroit was a content brand, how would the city be styled?
AaLona: “Detroit is classic, refurbished luxury. Still have to be careful with it in some spots because it’s vintage, but in other areas it’s brand new. It’s your new, old favorite.”
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