Gina Morganello is a rapper. Don’t get it twisted by the image on the TV screen, this girl has an uncanny knack at putting words together. Born in Allentown, Pennslyvania, G-Child was given her name by friends around the neighborhood.

Vanilla Ice’s biggest fan and one of his closest friends would only be a name within her local limits if Ego Trip and VH-1 hadn’t came up with smash hit the (White) Rapper Show. Since then, the Pennsylvania Terror has become not only a name in her hometown, but is looking to take her craft and display it worldwide.

After being let go on the latest episode of the show, Ms. Morganello is now a free agent. HHDX sits down with her as she talks about her hip-hop influences, dishes the deal about what’s next for her, and has some interesting things to say about MC Serch.

HHDX: When he first were introduced to you through the auditions, you professed to being Vanilla Ice’s greatest fan… which is like a cardinal sin in hip-hop. Serch had an interesting face to make, too, when you said that, but what was it about Ice that drew you into hip-hop?

GC: Ice was always my favorite, growing up, but it was just like… I grew up on Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys, too. You can hear the similarities between them and me when you hear me rap. I stay true to my old-school hip-hop roots. I’ve never gotten out of that stuff. I still bump Da Brat, Kriss Kross and I still listening to Vanilla Ice. I have always been a fan of him. But back in 2000, he did a show in my hometown. [Laughs] I rode my bike down there in the pouring rain just to see him perform. I ended up meeting his manager and he went on and introduced me to Ice. He bought me dinner, which was cool, and I told him that I supported him still throughout his career. I have all of his albums. You have people who think that To The Extreme is his first album. They’re still caught up in that. He told me that he appreciated the comments and from that point on, he kept coming back to Allentown. I have opened up for him about five times now, I have made a name for myself through him and I thank him for that opportunity.

HHDX: Throughout the show, until your elimination, you stayed true to your roots about who you are. Since then, how people been treating you back home in Allentown, PA?

GC: It’s absolutely insane. I can’t go anywhere in Allentown alone [laughs]. I was going to get some pizza one day with a friend of mines and people were honking horns trying to get my attention. [Laughs] People are screaming out, “G-Child” and “The White Rapper Show” and it’s such a rush. I was just talking to my friend about how I wanted to be known as “G-Child” and the show provided me an opportunity to do just that. I am really glad that people would know me from the show. It helped me with the exposure, but I also don’t want to be looked as someone who is just from the (White) Rapper Show. But other than that… I love it. I really can’t complain about the response I’ve been getting. Yesterday, I was in McDonald’s… signing ketchup packets [laughs]. Right now, it’s like a local celebrity thing… but this show has aired worldwide, so I know more than just Pennsylvania has just seen this. I really appreciate the opportunity, because this is what I’ve wanted since I was a little girl. Continued on page 2 »