Rah Digga Unleashes Bold Harriet Tribute
Solo debut release in hand with Dirty Harriet, the sole female member of Flipmode/Outsidaz, Rah Digga, makes a vivid entrance. Hailing from NJ/NY, this beautiful assassin seems unstoppable.
Interview by: Ikuko Hirasawa
Before her solo debut, Flipmode Squad’s sole female MC, Rah Digga, had already been attracting attention lately through the alliance of female rappers she formed with Charli Baltimore and Nubian Grace. She’s currently at her peak in both name and reality. It’s no wonder, as she originally honed her craft in the underground realm with The Outsidaz. What’s remarkable about her is that she never let herself be restricted by anyone else’s framework; she stuck to expressing herself. I had a feeling that might connect to the “subject” (Harriet) she talks about.
She says, “It’s not that I’m literally Harriet Tubman. It’s ‘I am Harriet.’ But what I’m trying to convey is a subtext. I also have a track called ‘Harriet Thugman,’ but how do I define and use that name (sub) here? Before I signed a solo deal, I was already working all the time with my local crew since around ‘91. Yanda Gee is the father of my child.”
This conversation is translated, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below.
Tell me about the current scene in your hometown of New Jersey.
“Everyone’s doing their thing, and it’s not just rappers (like Latief, Nature, and Lauryn Hill, for instance). It feels like a time when people really have a sense of style. With The Score and all (maybe referring to the possibility of Rah Digga collaborating with the Fugees), it was really popping.”
Which came first, The Outsidaz or Flipmode?
They both go way back. I knew them both. But the first to really make moves in a progressive way was Flipmode. They had commercial success as well.”
Starting with Flipmode’s Busta, they’re all huge personalities, right? From your perspective as a fellow MC, what do you think?
“Well, Flipmode’s approach is super ‘live.’ They just want to light up the crowd. But The Outsidaz might come at you from a more street angle. There are a lot of them, and their punch is intense. Busta is the group’s CEO, but he doesn’t really give off that vibe. I guess he’s basically perfect. Every member has to show genuine kindness as a human being. A real big brother figure takes care of you. I started rapping in fourth grade. Then in middle school, I’d head over to MC battles by myself. Around then, I encountered Busta’s crew—already known as ‘Flipmode.’ I was with the Outsidaz as well; around ‘92, I also ended up meeting the Fugees… I’d jump in and pass the mic around, showing the raw amateur side of myself, but that was what I liked.”
When did you start properly releasing tracks?
“There were a bunch of ups and downs, so it got delayed (laughs). The lineup of producers includes Busta, Da Beatminerz, Pete Rock, DJ Shock, Rockwilder, and others. In the midst of that, I felt there was one producer with whom I clicked the most. My style is all about rhyme delivery. I’m aware of both that sense of flow and a street feel, and I work to meld them together in a well-balanced way. There’s a part that’s purely lyrical, but also times when I just go straight for it. I’ve always liked that old-school style of forcibly shoving my way in. Besides, in the past there were only a few female MCs. So I’d approach the mic with the mindset of “I’m going to annihilate the crowd,” which might make me sound aggressive, but that’s how I saw it.”
Let us know if you have any specific routine when making tracks.
“I can work anytime, 24 hours a day. So whenever inspiration hits, I’ll write and then patch it all together. Writing might take 24 hours or it might be done quickly. Either way, if a line pops into my head, I just jot it down on a piece of paper or napkin and store it away. I’m always holding onto scraps of paper (laughs). The album has a variety of beats, some drawn from journeys with Shaw, but there’s also a track made from that vibe of the road. There’s a lot he wants to try. He asked me, “Could you give me something hot?” and so on. I did “Hot Night,” which was well-received. When it comes to flipping R&B hooks, I’ll definitely come at you with a rap style that’s thoroughly me. So if it’s an appealing beat, I’ll jump in, adding little flourishes. This time around, I also tried to include a few conceptual tracks.”
You mentioned in the past that you had some tracks that didn’t see the light of day.
“That’s right. Before, I didn’t realize you have to clear samples and worry about things like credits. Getting all that info organized can be tough. When I first met Busta and Flipmode, I was also working with local producers. Then after linking up with a label, I had to make sure to secure the rights, check sample clearances, and handle the credit details—there’s a lot involved (laughs).”
About live shows, Flipmode or Outsidaz—who do you usually perform with?
“They’ll have me come to shows, or I might join them on tours. In Japan, there’s that event called ‘B-Boy Park,’ right? I’ve heard about summer events that pay respect to old-school hip-hop. If I can work it out, I’d love to come. Yes, please invite me! Because it’s definitely hot! It’s really peaking. That said, I do feel that both in the U.S. and in Japan, female MCs seem to be on the rise, both in skill and style. Yes, more and more are going to appear. I’ve got to keep pushing myself too! I’d like everyone to remember ‘Dirty Harriet’ and the name Rah Digga. Harriet set countless enslaved people free and then lived quietly in peace afterward. Thank you, peace!”