There are not many times in my career that I get to interview a female, much less a female emcee. So, when the chance to interview Rah Digga aka Dirty Harriet came up, I was excited. It’s the one time I can be a fan and show emotion and not have it thrown out of context (aka be called a groupie). Rah Digga came on the scene in the Golden Era beginning with her collabo with Lauren Hill in “Cowboys” and then most notably for her Flipmode Squad association. She was featured on hits like the “Touch it” remix and known for her single “Tight.” After the split from Flipmode I’m sure everyone figured they would never hear from the femcee again but they were wrong. Last year she came old school style – pen and pad, one producer formula, ready to reclaim her position in rap royalty. And I am glad she did in a time when most of our female idols have been locked up or MIA. Rah Digga at the end of the day is a real emcee: she battles in freestyle cyphers with men and she lives by the tagline “lyrics first”. Hence, I am glad to see her back in the game. I caught up with the New Jersey native at the 13th Anniversary Halftime Show and got the scoop on why she bought it old school with Classic, her advice to other female emcees, and why she wouldn’t rule out working with Busta Rhymes again…..
NavaniKnows: You killed it recently at the Ladies First event at Southpaw. How did it feel to be performing amongst all female peers on the bill?
Rah Digga: Thank you! I think it was dope. I don’t get the opportunity to work with females that often especially let alone doing whole bills/ venues with them. So it was an experience. People tend to think females don’t get along and we can’t rock together and I think the Southpaw event proved quite the opposite. Not only were we all rocking together in unison but there wasn’t any hassle about who’s going first, nobody was diva’d out. It was just females that love rhyming and we just came out to do what we do.
I know you have said that you don’t think females should get a pass or get critiqued any less just because they are a lady aka lyrics first. So, who do you think is representing right now for the females that are focused on lyrics and talent?
I think there are plenty of focused females out there, definitely all the females at the Southpaw event are prime examples of people that put it down. Also, people can say what they want about Nicki Minaj but I think she is working hard and is extremely focused and she’s getting it.
Let’s talk about your album latest album, Classic. What is your favorite song on the album?
Hmmmm, I got a couple of favorites… “This Ain’t No Lil Kid Rap” is one of my favorites especially behind the message that I was sending out behind that. I think musically, the last joint “You Got it” is my favorite. My favorite rhymes on the album, or the song I felt like I just went in on is “Straight Spittin.”
What’s the chemistry like working with Nottz? Did he help create a sound for you? Do you take any direction from him at all?
No, not really. Once I figure out what beat I’m going to rhyme to he just lets me do my own thing. We have that pre-existing chemistry anyway so there aren’t too many Nottz beats he could play that I don’t gel with. So, it’s just a matter of what mood I’m in that moment – if I feel like just being rough and tough I’ll do an acting up record or if I feel like being conceptual I do the “Book of Rashia”, it really depends on what type of mood I’m in. But Nottz’ style of beat I’m picking from him always has that Rah Digga formula, it’s almost like everything he makes is crafted for me. Anytime he makes a beat for somebody else I get jealous like, “that shoulda been mine!” [laughs}.
For this album you took it back to the old school format with everything from the name Classic, to writing rhymes on pad and paper to using one producer – why do you think it was important to do that now?
I felt it was important because I’ve been gone for so long and I know people would be wondering what frame of rhyme mind I would be in 2010. Especially since most people remember me from the “Touch it” remix or the party songs and club joints so I think people might have been wondering what direction I’d be going this time. Doing an album with Nottz just kind of answered all those questions, like they pretty much know what to expect.
I gotta ask – do you think you’ll ever work with Busta again?
I never say never. I mean we’re cool, I know we’re not going to work together on a business level but music is music and he’s an artist just like I’m an artist. So, I’m not going to say we’ll never do another song together but I doubt it will ever be a situation where I rejoin Flipmode or anything like that. The chances of that happening are slim to none.
What have you learned from all your label battles and situations with the majors?
Rhyme hard! The lesson I’ve learned all across the board is lyrics is the most important thing. Whatever space you are in I think without you’re rhymes being approved and on point your chances for longevity are slim.
I’ve heard some say that since Hip-Hop wasn’t built for females, it was made for males, so females will always be scrutinized more. Females are judged not only on lyrics but their looks and their dress as well. What do you say to that?
I do agree. I agree we are scrutinized way more. I believe people don’t take female emcees seriously so we got to work extra hard to make sure we are even better than the guys just to be on the same level. Same with any other career or work field you are in – the women always have to work twice as hard as a man to prove anything. This is a male dominated sport so…
Do you think that will ever change?
I don’t think so. I think the best thing for females to do at this point is just keep going. That’s like asking if racism will ever disappear in America. I think it’s just something that’s preset in the business already and you just gotta know what you are dealing with and be ready to step up and face the challenge.
What’s next for you?
New album. This month I am using to work on the new album. April I’ll be traveling a lot. But I’m thinking late fall/ early spring you can expect a new Rah Digga album. I don’t have a name yet.
What can we look forward to on the new album?
You can expect all the rough, rugged and rawness of Classic. But I did hear people complain I wasn’t introspective enough on this album. I think I did enough “ish talking” so now I’ll spread my wings a little bit. Not sure who I’m working with yet producer wise but it isn’t going to be a one producer project again.
