Published: October 16, 2007 10:58 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Local artist hopes to prove she's the real deal

Falls rapper Deana Barlow is off to Hollywood for a shot at reality TV fame

She’s never really spent much time away from her home in the Falls.

She’s not real keen on flying.

Yet on Thursday, the Cataract City’s favorite female rapper will hop a jet to Los Angeles and get ready to bring her rhymes to a competition with 25 other women for 10 coveted spots on a new VH-1 reality show.

Deana Barlow, better known to many hip-hop music fans here as Wenzday Atemz, got the call last week telling her she was one of a small group of female MCs selected from a nationwide talent hunt to compete for a prize of $100,000 and a shot at becoming hip-hop’s next star.

“(The show is looking) to see what underground or unsigned female (rappers) are out there and undiscovered,” Barlow said.

She discovered the casting call for the show, which will serve as a sequel to the current VH-1 hit “White Rapper,” after searching the Web, looking for opportunities.

“I had just watched a show on “E” (the cable entertainment network) on Jessica Simpson and it showed her persistence (in pursuing a musical career),” Barlow said. “I was a little discouraged at the time and (the show) inspired me.”

When she hit the VH-1 Web site, she found what she was looking for.

“I was looking to see if there were any competitions for rappers, and sure enough, there it was,” Barlow said. “It was bizarre. I’d been looking for something like this for years.”

Of course, to get the invitation to L.A., Barlow first had to fly to Atlanta for an open casting call. Show producers held six tryouts in major cities across the U.S., attracting 10,000 rap hopefuls.

“I borrowed money from my roommate’s parents to get there,” she said.

Her roommate, Christie Martell, said her mom and dad are big fans of Barlow.

“They tried to help her because they understand what she’s trying to do,” Martell said.

Once in Atlanta, Barlow quickly found out the show producers weren’t playing when it came to setting the bar for the would-be rap stars.

“They made us rhyme accapella, and then they had me freestyle too,” she said. “Man, I hit on everything in the room, the cameras, the lights, the lady in the back laughing at me. When I was done, they (the show producers) all applauded, so I knew we had connected.”

Martell said neither she nor her family were surprised by the reaction to Barlow’s rhymes.

“When (Deana) told us that (the producers) stood and applauded, we knew they would,” Martell said. “Her personality is like no one else’s.”

Barlow and Martell have been friends since they met while playing soccer in high school. Martell admits they appear to be an odd pair.

“I grew up in Lewiston and wasn’t really exposed to the hip-hop cultural,” Martell laughed. “But I like people who are different from me and (Deana’s) personality is so amazing. We grew up very different, but we’ve embraced each other’s families. I enjoy the differences.”

Barlow credits the support of her family, and Martell’s, in getting her to the opportunity that could provide her the break she needs to really make it in music.

“It’s scary. It’s all I’ve been working for,” Barlow said. “I’m scared. I’m not gonna lie. I’m nervous, but I’m going to get ‘Atemz’.”

Her mom and dad, Sandy and Fred Barlow, could not be more excited about their daughter’s chance to maybe hit the big time.

“I can’t wait to sit on our front porch and have people say, ‘That’s where Wenzday Atemz’s mom lives,’ ” Sandy said.

Deana will face some tough rules if she’s one of the 10 rappers selected for the program. The finalists will be put up in a Hollywood home and cutoff from the outside world while the program is being shot.

No cell phones, no iPods, no electronics, no contact with friends and family.

“That’s what’s gonna kill me,” Deana moaned.

“That (cell phone and electronics) is her life, her air she breathes,” her mom said.

Win or lose, the contest, Deana believes the experience can only help her.

“It’s not just the money (for winning the contest),” she said. “Sometimes you get eliminated in week five, but there are so many people who see you, agents, music producers. And If I make it, I’m coming back to the Falls for my singers (Tomorrow Allen and Denisha Osbourne).”

Deana told a producer at the Atlanta audition she was going to put the Falls on the (hip-hop) map. Her mother believes she’ll make good on that promise.

“She’s such a natural,” Sandy said, “Believe me, I’m not a big fan of rap, but her music has such a beat and it comes from her heart. This is her life and these are her stories.”