lil debbie

The Original Voice

Lil Debbie

AKA CHINA

The Original Voice Behind "Somebody Say Hooo!" - Straight from the Boogie Down Bronx.

Hip-Hop Pioneer | MC | Entertainer

BOOGIE DOWN BRONX

THE STORY

FROM THE BRONX TO THE WORLD

If you’ve ever been at a party where the MC shouts, “Somebody Say Hooo.” and the crowd roars it back, you’ve experienced a moment in hip-hop history. The origin of that call-and-response belongs to none other than Lil Debbie — also known as China — and her sister, who first electrified audiences with it in the Boogie Down Bronx.Back in the days when Grandmaster Flash ruled the DJ scene, Lil Debbie and her sister were already masters at hyping up the crowd. Now, Lil Debbie is bringing that same iconic energy back with a fresh twist in her new single, “Somebody Say Hooo.”Born in New York City to Joseph and Dorothy Martin — members of the legendary Doo-Wop group The Five Willows — Debbie grew up surrounded by music. Entertainment was in her blood. That spark ignited in 1996 at Cafe Lou in The Bronx where open mic nights were a proving ground for local talent. Rapping over instrumentals, she won multiple contests and quickly built a loyal fan base realizing she had the talent to take her passion professional.Her big break came when she met Robert Brown, owner of Bee-Live Entertainment, who signed her to the indie label. With production by Fredrick “Priest” McCluney, her first demo took off earning her a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. From there doors opened fast — magazine features, TV appearances, movie opportunities, and performances on legendary stages like the Apollo Theater and The Paradise Theater.Hip-hop greats like Melle Mel, Scorpio, Cowboy, and producer Van Silk all recognize her as one of the first female artists to work the crowd into a frenzy. Even Fat Joe, who she once babysat as a child, gives her props for her pioneering influence.
Now, Lil Debbie is telling her story in a new documentary about her life in hip-hop and entertainment. Her upcoming memoir, “Somebody Say Hooo...Then Look Into My ” will pull back the curtain on her journey, plus live performance dates alongside hip-hop legends on the horizon.As The City Beat once wrote: “China is a veteran on the stage. Her performance mesmerizes the audience.” Lil Debbie isn’t just a performer — she’s part of the DNA of hip-hop culture... And she’s just getting started again.