Story & Lesson Highlights with Megan Correa of San Francisco

We recently had the chance to connect with Megan Correa and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Summer is one of the busiest seasons for me. Since June 8th alone, I’ve taught six weeks of music programming in Juvenile Hall, led a week of rapping and beat-making classes at a music camp, and ran a seven-day Hip Hop x Environmental youth artist residency program. I’m also currently organizing three benefit shows, writing and recording songs for sync placements every week, and working as the Program Coordinator for Hip Hop For Change—a nonprofit that uses Hip Hop as a vehicle for positive change in our community.

On top of that, I’m coordinating my son’s summer schedule as a single mom while managing my artist career, which includes photo shoots, music releases, performances, interviews, and press runs.

I say all this to show that while my life is insanely busy, I still choose to dedicate the first hour or so of my day to resetting my mind. My morning routine always includes breathwork, morning pages, affirmations, and prayer—it’s how I ground myself before stepping into the chaos.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m LiL MC—a Latina bilingual rapper, singer, producer, and battle rap champion from the Bay Area. My artistry blends provocative punchlines, melodic hooks, and seamless flows between English and Spanish, all rooted in Hip Hop’s power to educate, inspire, and empower. I’m also the founder of Queens of the Underground, an all-women Hip Hop showcase and professional development platform, and the Senior Educator and Program Coordinator for Hip Hop For Change, a nonprofit using Hip Hop as a vehicle for positive change.

My work is unique because it lives at the intersection of music, education, and activism. Whether I’m teaching songwriting in Juvenile Hall, performing onstage, creating curriculum for women’s empowerment, or recording for sync placements, my goal is always the same: to amplify voices that aren’t heard enough and shift culture through creativity.

Right now, I’m working on new music, organizing benefit concerts, and continuing to build spaces where Hip Hop can be a tool for both self-expression and social transformation.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The craziest realization I’ve had recently is that who I am now is who I’ve always been—just more elevated in some ways, and more damaged in others. It’s a strange contradiction. I’ve always been different—unique, creative, artistic, and most importantly, a dreamer. I’ve been creating music, theater, dances, and art for as long as I can remember. Honestly, I can’t recall a version of myself that wasn’t a creative.

Growing up, I experienced a lot of pain, hurt, and betrayal from the people closest to me, and I learned to cope with that pain in harmful ways. But as I’ve committed to my healing journey, I’ve started returning to that childlike version of myself—the one who believes in the best of humanity, who feels connected to all beings and non-beings on Earth, who chooses creation over consumption, and who dares to dream, always—no matter what the world says is or isn’t possible.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
To be completely candid, I’ve given up many times. I’m a survivor of three suicide attempts, and it honestly feels like a miracle that I’m still here. My son has always been the reason I kept going, even in my darkest moments. But that’s what extreme trauma does—it drags you into the deepest, most dangerous corners of your mind, where the voice in your head tells you nobody wants you, you’re worthless, and you’d be better off gone. Over time, that negative self-talk can embed itself into your identity.

Unlearning that harmful internal narrative took years of intense therapy, treatment, and eventually, faith in a higher power. Spirituality became the bridge to my healing and sobriety. I’ve always had an aversion to dogmatic religion, but Eastern philosophy—Buddhism in particular—resonated deeply with me. It grounded me, kept me sober, and set me on a lifelong path toward enlightenment.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
This is an interesting question because I’m a firm believer in creating artistic alter egos as a way to discover and embody your most amplified self. In some ways, no—my front-facing artist persona, LiL MC, isn’t the same as Megan Correa, the mom who picks up her son from school, takes him to football practice, and makes dinner. But in other ways, yes—she’s still me, just a different version.

People create different versions of themselves all the time—it’s called code-switching, and it’s an integral part of socialization. But the unique thing about artistic alter egos is that they let you step into a superhero version of yourself, where for a moment, you can experience life without limitations. When I’m on stage rapping, I feel boundless. When I’m stuck in traffic on the Bay Bridge, I feel confined and powerless.

Artistic alter egos are both liberating and healing, and I believe they’re just as real as any other version of ourselves.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop working so much and spend as much time as possible with my son and the people I love. I grind hard to give my son everything — financial stability, opportunities, experiences — but if I’m hustling myself into an early grave, none of that matters. I’d stop letting work be the default and start choosing presence: more mornings, more trips, more small moments that become memories instead of more late nights and missed recitals.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
H Williams Jr. Photography , Sirrealist, Stimulate Photography, Views From The Bay, H Williams Jr. Photography, Snapdatshii, Sarah Arnold Photography

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