Interview with ‘Hila the Killa’, the eco-rapper and the climate clown
Hila Perry, known as “Hila The Killa” on TikTok, describes herself as an eco-rapper, climate clown and “educator”.Photo courtesy of Sheila Perry
Hila Perry, 32, known as “Hila The Killa,” is an eco-rapper. Her most recent video, “Wet A** Planet,” went viral on TikTok with over 5.7 million views. In this video, Perry performs in Times Square wearing a big, round globe costume. Released in May 2021, the song calls for action on climate change.
Perry grew up on Mercer Street, New York, surrounded by concrete. As an urban kid, she didn’t have much to do with the natural world. However, she is passionate about acting and studying science. In 2017, after living a zero-waste life for two years, she started writing songs about environmental science. Her first ecological song”I’m plastic, man,” to the audience on the environmental burden of plastic.
Today, Perry’s Rap Vegetables, compost, etc. Entertain and educate her massive following on TikTok. Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and electric scooter and bike company Lime commissioned Perry to write educational songs.
Perry is one of many artists who have decided to use their creativity to educate audiences about climate change.
“In this time of ecological crisis, artists like Perry have an important role to play as agents of change,” Will Prof.Art and Sustainability” in Columbia University’s Sustainability Management program this fall. The course will look at the various ways in which artists communicate urgency and agency to diverse audiences.
“In less than sixty seconds, [Perry] Can provide accurate information about the importance of mushrooms and dirt in ecosystems and a memorable reminder of the need to love and protect the planet to ensure our own survival,” Rice said.
In the Q&A below, edited for length and clarity, Perry shares her unique journey as a self-taught scientist who writes songs to educate her growing audience about climate science.
How would you describe yourself?
I love Earth Science Educators: Educators and Entertainers. It’s a hip-hop term from the 90’s or 80’s. Also an eco-rapper and climate clown.
How do you work at the intersection of entertainment and environmentalism?
I have always been an entertainer. This is exactly what I like to do. I like to make people laugh and I like to think about things. Communicating these became very important to me as I started to understand the earth, the plants and the cycles of the earth.
Photo courtesy of Hilla Perry
Do you have a scientific background?
I am a self-taught scientist.
I read a lot of books and articles. I’ve been reading Fungal Kingdom. I also read Bill Mollison’s “Introduction to Permaculture”. I’m reading Meg Lowman’s book “The Arbornaut” which contains a lot of important information about trees. I have this book called “Empire of Water,” which is about the history of water in New York City. I started reading a book about metals. I have some books on soil and a book on microbes.
Can you tell me the source of your passion for science?
I have always loved science. I love communicating science and why it matters. If you understand how things work, then you can make great decisions.
Science and math were simple subjects that I grew up with in school. I have always felt that I am able to understand and relate to the material, even more so than the humanities.
I got into scientific thinking based on trying to eliminate all the junk from my life.
Why does Burning Man, a music and arts festival in the desert, influence your perception of trash and trash?
Going to Burning Man was an important transitional moment for me.
One of the principles of Burning Man is to leave no trace. There are no trash cans for festivals. Everyone must be responsible for the waste they make. MOOP is an acronym for Matter Out Of Place, which is very famous in Burning Man culture. So whenever someone sees something on the ground that shouldn’t be there, like a piece of trash, a piece of sequins, or a cigarette butt, people yell “MOOP!” and everyone goes and makes sure that thing gets picked up.
It affected me a lot because when I came back to New York after Burning Man, I thought: Well, I want to be responsible for my trash. That’s when I started my zero waste journey. I am very curious about the life cycle and I want to know where my food comes from. It put me on a path of discovery and connection to Earth cycles.
You are now an eco-rapper commissioned to write science-based songs. Who commissioned you?
I have been commissioned by the electric scooter company Lime and Greenpeace. I have a song about sustainable fashion that I wrote for the clothing company Reformation. Bye Bye Plastic is us [with Nate Dufour] and. I’m working with a solar panel company in Brooklyn and I’m writing about mushrooms for a holiday.
What are these organizations looking for?
They want me to get their message across. I wrote a poem, maybe I figured out a hook. Instagram and TikTok are usually less than a minute.
Sometimes, I’m commissioned to write an entire song. One of my first songs was with tree scientist Meg Lowman. It was a song about her book, “The Arbornaut,” about an astronaut exploring trees.
Can you make a living off these commissions?
Yes. I am grateful to be able to make a living. All my work is supported by the committee. Some clients can give me more, some less. I barely made it through every month, but I did. I’m trying to get more and more money so I can save and grow, but right now I’m just freelancing.
How does your audience react to your art?
People will tell me that I inspired them to change things. For example, they start composting.
That’s all I have. When I was a kid, I said: I want to be an artist, I hope I can make a person’s life better. Many people tell me that I make their lives better. They also make my life better. It’s a reciprocal relationship. The show is as good as the audience.
are you trying educate Can both adults and children?
Yes, everyone. I want it to be fun and colorful, like children’s entertainment, but I’m teaching adults and young adults.
Some might say that the issue of climate change needs to be taken seriously. What do you think?
Taking care of the planet and being a part of it should be a lot of fun. We are here to celebrate life. What’s the point of taking care of the planet if we’re so frustrated with it? It’s really important to inject joy into everything. I love the earth so much, that’s what drives me. Anxiety, Armageddon, and depression don’t motivate me. I do my best to accept that things are difficult and maybe irreparable. There’s a lot of anxiety about what we’ve done to destroy our natural ecosystems. I just have to keep believing it’s going to be alright, we can fix it and have fun fixing it.
I think it’s serious — it’s funny.
Pascale Déau is a student at Columbia University Sustainability Management Master’s courses. She wrote this Q&A for the course,”Writing articles on global science for international media. ”
