Grant rhymes her way to top of 106th & Park

Winston-Salem State University's Lajune Grant said this just before being inducted into BET's 106th and Park Hall of Fame. This humble rapper-singer says that she is honored to be paralleled with all of the males that preceded her as inductees in the Hall of Fame. The multi-talented mass communications major and music business minor says her interest in the university was fostered by Miss WSSU, Rolanda Patrick, and alum, Jim Foster. She's well-known on campus for winning rap battles during interludes at campus programs. Grant says she's "loved music ever since I can remember." This summer Grant appeared on BET's 106th and Park on Friday evenings. The show airs at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. She appeared on Free-Style Friday for seven consecutive weeks, winning the title of the first female to be entered into the 106th and Park Hall of Fame. The show's operation is simple: Every Friday 106th and Park presents the champion from the previous week and a challenger. They both get 30 seconds with a set of rules to freestyle to an instrumental. Then a panel of judges chooses the better of the two rappers. The winner's only reward is an invitation to return for the next show's taping."The first time battling was a lot different than the next six I was involved in," Grant said. "The first time I knew who the guy was, I had a chance to think of some punch lines. After that I did not know who or what to expect, but they knew who I was."Although many don't know, Grant's talent isn't limited to rapping - she also sings - the New York native said she had to stand in line for over six hours to try-out on May 19, 2002. It is because of her mother, whom she's named after, that she won a place in the Hall of Fame. At the time she was only 17-years-old and she had to be 18 years to try out.Grant says she never considered entertainment as a career. "I am not sure if I would ever want to be one." Grant says the university family has been supportive of her success for the most part, but she's had people to down play her achievement. "Some people seem to think I want to battle them in the cafeteria or on the way to my classes, which is not true. I hate when people tell me they could have done it too, cause if they can they should go ahead and do it."Grant's journey began many years ago and metamorphosized during her tenure on 106th and Park. She was able to rub elbows with some of the industry's most influential personalities including producer Clark Kent, Pharrell, Jazzy Frizzle, and rappers Lil' John and Free. Although she's received acclaim for being an artist, the 19-year-old Poughkeepsie, NY., native wants to have a future behind the scenes in the music industry. She has given herself five years to get where she wants to be, and it looks as if she'll definitely make it, considering the tons of motivation flowing through her.