Boricua Beats and Bold Leadership: María Isa’s Journey from Saint Paul to the State House

In a candid interview with Power 104.7 Media Lab hosts Istahil, Kimora and Gloria, Minnesota State Representative and hip hop artist María Isa shares how her identity as a single mother, Boricua from Saint Paul’s West Side, activist, and rapper shapes her political work. She also shares how her roots in community organizing and culture drive her fight for housing, education, and health justice for communities of color. 

Bringing West Side Pride to Minnesota Politics

Growing up on Saint Paul’s West Side, María Isa was raised in a Borucua community where activism and culture were part of her everyday life. She says she was lucky to grow up with a mom who was—and continues to be—deep in community organizing and activism and to be surrounded by mant powerful women of color making history in their communities.

"I give my props to my mother, my Queen [Spanish], Elsa Vega Perez and also to the first black mayor and the first woman mayor of Minneapolis—my ‘village godmother’— former mayor Sharon Sayles Belton," María says. "When was in my early adult years, I witnessed Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Puerto Rican, first Latina, to be appointed by President Obama to the Supreme Court. She's also a Type 1 diabetic like myself."

The Rep Who Raps

Raised on the rhythms of Afro-Latino-Indigenous culture, María Isa has been spitting bars and building movements since she was 11-years-old in the Twin Cities hip hop scene. She’s the CEO of her indie label SotaRico, with over 15 projects that blend her Minnesota roots and Puerto Rican pride.

And when she stepped into the state capitol, she wore many hats—mother, artist, advocate and lifelong Westsider—and said it’s important for her to affirm all those identities in her political role.

"I'm hip hop. I'm a daughter of hip hop. I've been rapping since I was 11 years old, writing my rhymes and always being told in an education system, any healthcare system that we have these limitations and we really don't. If we put our heart in our mind and we work together and everybody has something to bring to the feast.”

María Isa talked about why representation is so important—giving people the chance to see what's possible. She's happy to fill that role as the first Minnesota State Representative who is also a hip hop artist. "Hip hop is speaking up, hip hop is making sure that we're on rhythm and sticking on the beat. Hip hop is delivering a message right now,"says María, adding the showing up and hip hop is activism.

Music recommendation: María suggests listening to her 2018 album 'Sasa', named after her mother. Specifically, she recommends the track 'Not For Sale' a song dedicated to those fighting against the colonial regime in Puerto Rico and throughout the world.

María Isa urges young people who want to follow the same path as she did to hit her up (rep.maria.isa.perez-vega@house.mn.gov) to have conversations about what is going on in the world, what concerns their community and themselves.

"I want you to see yourself at the capitol and it may be difficult to not feel that, I want you to see yourself through the POCI Caucus,” María said. POCI stands for People of Color and Indigenous Caucus. She encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone, embrace their voices, and put themselves out there.  

You can find Maria Isa's music on all streaming platforms and YouTube.