By Tanya Gamble

Michelle Visa got a peek at R&B stardom early in life when her dad was a bodyguard for superstar Rick James. Now she’s pursuing her own music career, blending the rap genres of gangsta, boom bap and drill. 

Visa was born in Buffalo and found an appreciation for music in her youth. At the age of 8 she was in a rap group called The Trouble Makers that consisted of her, her sister Ryan and her cousin Jessica. They performed at various events in the city of Buffalo and the group was managed by another one of her older cousins.

Visa said, “Basically, we were like a bubble gum rap group. You know, we were always getting into trouble and always into something. Nothing bad, more so like how kids are mischievous. As for that, that’s where the Trouble Makers name came from and it was just a great time. I really loved that era. It really got me on track to be like ‘This is something I think I could be able to do as a career!’”

Visa recalls her father working for Rick James. “My dad was a bodyguard for Rick James,” Visa said in a recent interview. “I was very young. I don’t remember a lot but I remember that my dad used to take me to Rick James’ house, and Rick James would be in studio sessions. I just loved being around that kind of atmosphere. I was just always enticed with the lifestyle.”

It would be a while until Visa would start to experiment with making music after starting work at WBLK radio.

Visa says her single “Oda Mae” off her latest album “Thy Will Be Done” was one of her most favorite songs to write because it pays homage to a relative who died.

She said, “‘Oda Mae’ was the best so far to me because it was really catchy and it did crazy numbers on Instagram and went viral and caught the attention of people like American hip hop producer 9th Wonder and American rapper Cameron and just a bunch of people commenting and saying that it’s fire. The song is also special to me because it pays homage to my cousin Teddy, who passed away not too long ago.” 

Visa also had the opportunity to host at various red carpet events such as the BET awards, Black Girls Rock and the VMAs.

“Not only have I been doing music, but on the flip side I’ve hosted red carpet events and got the chance to interview celebrities at the BET awards.” Visa said. “That was amazing. Doing Black Girls Rock for VH1 and getting the chance to be at MTV awards. I feel like that’s the coolest thing. Being able to meet people and have conversations with people that I may not otherwise have been able to have conversations with.”

Visa says a highlight of her music career so far has been performing overseas as an opener for Buffalo native rapper Conway the Machine.

“Performing overseas with Conway was a major for me, “Visa said. “I gained so many fans from across the world. I got fans that hit me up in Poland, Paris and Germany. I can’t even name all of the countries. I’m so grateful for that.

You can check out Visa’s YouTube Channel and Instagram for more information on her music.

Tanya Gamble is an arts writer from Cheektowaga. She received her journalism degree from Buffalo State University in 2023.