Yesterday was International Women’s Day, celebrated globally by connecting women around the world to honour the achievements in the past and inspire the achievements of their future. The most concerning issue among women worldwide are the inequalities that still exist in all aspects of the world; from politics to the corporate world, hip-hop is no different. Yes, there are the Lauryn Hills, the Janet Jackson’s and the India Aries, but what about the other components of hip-hop? Are there really enough women in the culture today? I don’t want to turn this into a feminist column or anything, but sometimes we need to ask ourselves these questions. It’s the 21st century and it’s still a man’s world out there, and I’m no better. I admit, most of my features have been male, and it’s tough to find enthusiastic female counterparts willing to be featured. I came across today’s feature at last year’s Hip-Hop Holiday Art Party where I first noticed her artwork and asked for her contact. It’s a good thing I did because she was one of the first I thought to feature. But before I start, I want to say Happy Birthday K.Y.

Erica Gosich Rose known as EGR (pronounced Eager) is a Toronto visual artist but most often known most as a graffiti artist. EGR’s love for art developed at an early age in a suburban neighbourhood of Burlington, Ontario where she grew up; however her love for graffiti was discovered in adolescence.

“While attending Sheridan college for Art and Illustration I was super inspired by everything visual, and the whole concept of telling a story and communicating through art. One of my high school buddies happened to point out the graffiti he did with some friends behind a shopping mall along the train line of my hometown, and that was it – I was hooked. I got my first 5 cans of Krylon and the rest is history.”

EGR’s talent is exhibited throughout diverse manifestations from newspapers like the Toronto Star and the Globe & Mail to magazines, books, album covers, bikes, boards, walls, and toys. In 2000, she moved to Toronto where the demand for graffiti was rising. She explains she was not always confident with graffing.

“I bombed under bridges, in the trenches, and slowly climbed my way up to the streets after building my confidence, feeling comfortable with the medium. I never thought I’d be painting graffiti murals as part of my career, though I always knew I was going to be an artist for life.”

The long list of accomplishments EGR has earned include creating art for esteemed musicians such as Naughty by Nature, IRS, Kyprios, Graph Nobel, Afu Ra, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock and directing a fully animated music video, El Dorado for BrassMunk. When not busy conceiving new artistic ideas, or painting, she keeps sane by bouncing on her trampoline, going to shows, dancing, thrift store shopping, or just combing the tangles out of her hair.

Currently, EGR is developing a new website “that has taken a while to build due to the complexity of incorporating my business and taking full control of its direction.” The site will include updates on upcoming art shows and international exhibitions. So make sure you have a look: http://www.EGRart.com or check out her myspace profile at http://www.myspace.com/EGRart.