Carolyn Rodriguez

Owing to lyrics steeped in narcotic imagery, Carolyn Rodriguez earned the nickname "Medicine Girl." A savvy vocalist and rapper attuned to the streets, she integrated seamlessly into Houston's rap circuit even though her formative years unfolded in North Carolina and Arkansas. Upon finishing high school she moved to Huntsville, Texas, enrolling at Sam Houston State University, where she ultimately earned an accounting degree. Dope House affiliate Jaime "Pain" Ortiz noticed her talent and cut an initial demo that opened doors to collaborations with Juan Gotti, South Park Mexican, and assorted other Texas-based artists. Her independent solo output commenced with the albums Castellana (2007), Medicine Girl (2009), and Betty Crocker (2011); during the same stretch she also completed a full-length project alongside Gotti. Subsequent sessions yielded more albums and mixtapes, among them the standouts Fuck What They Think (2014) and FWTT, Pt. 2 (2016). Eventually she departed the Lone Star State for Los Angeles, yet she kept working with her Southwest circle, a partnership exemplified by the 2017 Gotti and Paul Wall track "Houston."