No disrespect, Missy and Eminem. She dreams of Classified (6 photos)

Although she cites Missy Elliott and Eminem as her two biggest influences, the lovely local lyricist Conika says she'd give almost anything to work with Classified.

So much so that she wrote A Letter To A Hero, a composition she dedicates to the award-winning Canadian rapper and producer.

"I'm really hoping one day he hears it gets back to me," she told SooToday at a recent performance.

Conika Belleau is a proud and talented Aboriginal woman, and she may likely be the only female rapper in the Algoma District.

Always a creative soul, she began as poet until a friend suggested that she branch into rap.

"She kind of jokingly asked me to write a rap for and about her. So I did and everyone really liked it," Conika said.

She continued to write in the style, performing for friends at parties with encouraging feedback.

In March 2012 at Loplops, Conika made her public performance debut during the Soo Hop Showcase, sharing stage time with TeddyT, Justice Levar, Brian Babic, KillaBeatz and DJ Seith.

Spending hours a day practicing her annunciation - she can throw lyrics with impressive speed - she's now featured regularly at local showcases, including April 2014's An Audition With No Name (an urban music competition to determine the opening act for A Tribe Called Red) and last week's #youthesoo youth empowerment event at the Essar Centre.

She's quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with around these parts, and has spent the last little while in the studio laying down tracks with DJ Seith for her upcoming debut release.

"A lot of people give me a lot of respect for what I do," Conika told us. "But it's tricky because some people see me as competition."

Both DJ Seith and Conika will share a night at the Gore Street Cafe (164 Gore St.) on Saturday, May 30 as they celebrate a pair of new releases.

DJ Seith's upcoming Motor Mix is an "eclectic blend of mind-bending psych rock, crunchy boom-bap drums, swirling Moog compositions, and snippets from road gang movies."

Conika's My Crooked Smile EP "paints a vivid picture of Northern Ontario urban life from the perspective of a young Indigenous woman raised on hip-hop, punk and metal; featuring songs that when strung together paint a stunningly relatable image."

Both CDs can be purchased at the release party for $10 each, or as a bundle for $15.

This all-ages event begins at 7 p.m. and features performances from both artists.

Admission is 'pay what you can'.

For all things Conika, follow her on Facebook

Also look for her to release a free downloadable companion mixed tape on May 24 here.

To keep up with DJ Seith, please click here.

Maybe someone out there can do the girl a solid by getting Conika's material into the hands of Classified following its release.