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This time around on The SPOTLIGHT, we decided to talk to the one and only Georgette Cline. You might have seen her work on major publications like Vibe, XXL, GIANT, Trace, Black Beat, Complex, Rap-Up and Right On. In this interview she talks to her about her journey from the bottom to the top as a journalist, new music, being on MTV and more.
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• Where was it that you started your written career?
Not too many interns can say they got their first published assignment in Vibe magazine but I did, through diligence and never stopping at the word “No.” I didn’t get to write for major publications like Vibe, XXL, GIANT, Trace, Black Beat, Complex, Rap-Up and Right On without building a strong foundation first. That came with laying the groundwork as an intern at Vibe. From there, I just made myself an invaluable resource to the editors, who then trusted in and respected my writing skills enough to offer me assignments. Besides those editors, others from competing magazines did as well, because, as is the case, the entertainment industry runs in a small circle and your name and reputation is brought up many times without your knowledge. My first published piece was for Vibe’s October 2004 issue (Mase on cover), where I wrote the magazine’s Free Agent column on unsigned artists. As for my first big artist, in-person interview, that was for Vibe’s February 2005 issue (Game cover), where I interviewed Juelz Santana.
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“Used To Be” feat. Jordanne
- Meek Mill

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•How did you feel working for some of hip-hop’s biggest magazines, which are steady in competition?
Like with everything that comes my way, I was extremely grateful for the opportunity. These days, my focus is in the digital world as an editor for AOL Music’s TheBoomBox.com, but print magazines will always be my first love. I was invested in writing for these magazines because I grew up wanting to see my byline on the pages. Vibe was the first hip-hop magazine I was exposed to as a 16-year-old working in a Kmart in Pennsylvania, so that was my introduction to that world. When I actually began pitching editors at other places like Complex and having my ideas accepted and then actually getting paid to do what I had always dreamed of, then getting editor positions at Rap-Up and Black Beat/Right On, it was gratifying because my hard work was finally paying off, literally and figuratively.
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• You’ve worked for quite a few magazines and websites since you started your career. Where do you feel you learn the most?
I learned the most during my work with print publication because it’s where I got my start but I’m continuously learning every day in my current position. Coming up in the print world, I learned how to really report the facts and add color and life to stories, all while intriguing readers. I witnessed firsthand how editorial and art worlds meet to create a final product that’s appealing to the eye, what works on a page and what doesn’t. I was able to do that because of great editors and mentors who I worked with like Serena Kim, Angie Romero, Donnie Kwak, Rondell Conway, Hyun Kim, Andrew Simon, Mimi Valdes and Noah-Callahan Bever to name a few.
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I also got into creating fashion spreads with an awesome wardrobe stylist Fatima B., who I hired during my time at Black Beat/Right On. We were a tag team and really worked hard to bring rappers and R&B singers into that element of the magazine, which hadn’t really been focused on before we did it.
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• With so many different music sites out how do you continue to intrigue readers to your site?
There are many sites out that are just news aggregators and recycle news, which is also important in a way, because yes, it’s news, and yes, we need to know about what’s going on in the hip-hop and R&B world. But what makes a site like TheBoomBox.com different from a site that’s just solely rewriting news stories, is that we offer our readers exclusive interviews with big names in the hip-hop and R&B world in addition to narrative and video features like “Day in the Life,” where an artist invites us into their world for the day, funny features like noting the “Worst Hip-Hop Jobs” — the weed carrier among them — or tackling more serious issues like “The Hip-Pop Switch,” where we dive into the current changes in the music climate.
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As an editor, I’m constantly thinking of new ideas to bring to the table and am inspired by everyday conversations I have with people or simple things like National Poetry Month, which inspires feature ideas. Your brain has to always be in go-mode and be on the pulse of current events as an editor and that’s how you’re going to help bring in readers.
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• As a female in the music industry there are often many different challenges. What would you say is the biggest that you’ve had?
A big challenge is just trying to get ahead in the “boys club.” By that, I mean many of the positions at publications and digital outlets are held by men and sometimes you have to prove yourself a little more than others if you don’t have relationships established. I’ve been super blessed that I’ve been able to navigate my way throughout the music industry with relative ease because my talent speaks for itself and I always have a positive attitude.
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Georgette Cline appearance on MTV

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•How did you feel when you were invited to be MTV’s Hip-Hop expert for “Hottest MCs” this year?
That was ridiculously awesome! I’m more of a behind-the-scenes person so when someone thought I was qualified to give my opinion on such a highly respected platform, I just wanted to make sure I represented myself to the best of my ability. I was able to get that opportunity due to the relationships that I’ve created during my career. Shout out to Nadeska Alexis and Rahman Dukes for giving me the chance to shine on that one.
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• You use to co-host the “Rotten Apple Chicks,” what happened?
“Rotten Apple Chicks” was an Internet radio show on AListRadio.net. It’s no longer on-air but myself, Laura Stylez and Lady Chellez still represent the name to the fullest. The show was an idea created by Laura and Stephanie Ortiz, then myself and Chellez got brought on. It was a platform for interviews with recording artists and successful women in different industries, namely fashion and art. Why doesn’t it exist anymore? When we get the right platform for it again, we’d probably bring it back. But for now, it’s retired. But just like Jay-Z, RACs can come out of retirement at any time.
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“Feel It In My Bones”
- Tiësto feat. Tegan & Sara

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• Last month was International Women’s Day, which you were a part of; the theme was “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.” How do you feel you live up to this?
I’ve always been accessible to anyone asking for advice or needing a helping hand in this business. I definitely feel like I inspire futures when it comes to those who’ve come up under me, like interns I’ve worked with in the past or writers. I guarantee you can ask any writer or intern about me and not one will say a negative statement about my work ethic. I’m a helper by nature, and showing others how and where they need to improve in order to excel in their craft is important to me because I want them to succeed.
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• What is your advice to young women who want to become a journalist?
My advice to young women wanting to become a journalist is to be a student first. Take classes if needed to learn the fundamentals of reporting and read some of your favorite authors or writers’ work to learn and understand how they get their message across to readers. Practice makes perfect of course, and by constantly writing, whether it’s a school newspaper, your own blog or as an intern, you’re able to find out where your own strengths and weaknesses lie, and you can find your writing voice, which is so important for a writer. Something that is really important is to also find a mentor and never be afraid to ask questions or for help. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy when it comes to that, but you’d be surprised at how that relationship you develop with an experienced writer or editor in the business can help further your career both personally and professionally.
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“My kind of love”
- Emeli Sande

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• Did you ever want to go into radio?
Radio was never my initial passion but I’ve had several years of experience with Internet radio, doing the Rotten Apple Chicks show, which definitely lit the fire in me to keep at it. I was a rookie and by working with people like Laura Stylez and Lady Chellez, who are radio veterans at this point, I got schooled in the basics and really applied everything to our show. I’d love to pursue more radio opportunities in the future, specifically being a news reporter on-air, giving listeners the latest info on artist’s drama and triumphs and of course weird news, because who doesn’t want to know things like what the psychic pig will predict next!
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• To be in Hip Hop for the last seven years it shows your true passion. What motivates your love for Hip Hop?
It’s a passion for writing, creating and loving music in general. I’m not solely a hip-hop enthusiast. I appreciate all kinds of music. Yes, I write about hip-hop and R&B for most of my days, but it’s just the thrill of being in the music and entertainment business. I say this often: new day, different story. By that, I don’t only mean as in reporting the latest news but also taking in the experience of what each day has to offer. It’s hearing new music, meeting new artists and networking, being inspired by other’s stories and always being a student of the game. I never claim to know everything and I’m constantly learning.
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“Mona Lisa”
- Slick Rick

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• You started a Website LuxLadies.com what inspired you to start that?
I wanted to create a brand that focused on inspiring and prolific women from all walks of life. But it wasn’t just myself that came up with that name or idea. That was an idea born between myself, Kathy Iandoli and Nicole from Nina Sky years ago. I ended up running with it because when it was time to launch it, we were all at different places in our careers and I had time to dedicate to it. It’s stagnant now and I haven’t updated the site in forever, because I’m a busy bee flying through New York City, however the spirit is there.
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• What artist do you feel will be around for the next 5 years? Why?
Emeli Sande. She’s an artist out of the U.K. with a soulful voice and poignant lyrics. Her debut album, My Version of Events, dropped in the U.K. earlier this year and she’ll drop it in the U.S. this summer. I’ve witnessed her perform acoustic sets twice and I was super impressed by her artistry. Every song she writes and performs has such a personal story, which she shares at her shows, and you can hear the love and pain in her lyrics. Her words resonate with people and she doesn’t fake the funk at all. She’ll def be around in 2017.
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• What can we expect from you in your career?
A goal I have is to write a book — that will definitely come at some point in my career. And I’ll continue to create in some capacity, whether it’s writing, editing, graduating to video formats or collaborating with others. I love to share people’s life stories as well as my own, and those are the best ways to do it.
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“Somebody That I Used To Know”
- Gotye feat. Kimbra

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• Name 5 songs you are currently listening too?
“Use to Be,” Meek Mill
“Feel It in My Bones,” Tiesto feat. Tegan & Sara
“My Kind of Love,” Emeli Sande
“Mona Lisa,” Slick Rick
“Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye feat. Kimbra

Interview by: Kenisha Moore
Produced by: A.R.