By Odeisel
A true classic defines an era; immovable by time and changing tide. Rah Digga is immovable. The brick city bombshell has survived Flipmode Squad immobility, Outsidaz periphery and motherhood, impeccably. Her sword remains sharp and she has managed to cut her way back into the light with her new album Classic a decade after her debut Dirty Harriet. The album is a compact, precise work helmed entirely by Virginia producer Nottz.
“The Book of Rashia” chronicles a post-apocalyptic Hip-Hop world littered with wack rappers and gimmickry. With a nod to Denzel’s Book of Eli, Rah was chosen from heaven to join forces with Nottz purge the world of trash rappers. Organs and thumping drums find Rah awash in lyricism and pop culture reference “transforming like Witwicky (Lebouf in Transformers)” and “shutting rappers down like Taylor Swift’s speech” on the Sheree Whitfield-inspired “Who Gonna Check Me Boo.”
Digga returns to her commentary on the state of rap with the guitar-led “This Ain’t No Lil Kid Rap.” She doesn’t really go as hard as the title would suggest but lines like “going in a kid’s ass like Pleasure P” at least warrant a PG-13 rating. The lyrical highlight of the album is “Straight Spittin IV.” Digga tells of spitting lyrics at her wedding, or spitting Armageddon, or insurrection. It’s clear she’s no dummy and the relentless flow pushes this song over the top.
The slow electric guitar of the title track, with Rah’s name scratched into the beat, is the perfect theme music for Rah’s observation of the game and the dearth of female rappers that can be taken seriously lyrically. The rhythm switches on the track “Solidified” which showcases Nottz’ versatility with a guitar-driven sample and a live kick drum feel. Rah’s position in Hip-Hop is solidified as the track states and she minces no words letting us know. That live feel is extended on “Feel Good,” a bump- driven track bolstered by a soul sample on the break.
“Viral” has Rah exploring the new Internet world and how that affects her exposure in the Hip-Hop world. The legend of Rah Digga is now spreading through the web with clicks and comments. Cool concept and a nice departure from straight spitting about how nice she is. The digital funk distortion of “Back it Up” is also a welcome change to the album in terms of rhythm. The electro video game noises on the outskirts of the beat add to the off-kilter film. The album closes with “You Got it” with a dope chop up of “I Know You Got Soul.” Rah drops lines like “more offspring than Lil Wayne fathering” and puts closure on the album noting her sources of inspiration and her motivations for rhyming.
Classic is a compact, mistake-free road through the bricks. However, there is nothing here that is transcendent or mind-blowing. It’s a showcase for the considerable skills of one of the more consistent rappers there is. There isn’t an overall narrative or a deeper meaning, but that’s okay. Redman’s been doing it for years. The album makes you take notice of Rah Digga as an MC. Not a female MC but an MC period. That’s an accomplishment in itself.
Rah Digga-This Ain’t No Lil Kid Rap
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3.75 out of 5
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You know what it is about this album, it’s Rah Digga doing what she does best. Rhyme. Nothing over the top. Nothing outlandish or no crazy antics. Just Digga, a beat, and a mic. Heck, did she even have any features on the album?
Digga has been laying it down for years so it is good to see her back rhyming. You’re right, we don’t look at Rah Digga as a female MC. We look at her as an MC. It’s good to hear her back in the business.
This album is AWESOME.
Other female emcees to check out:
-invincible
-jean grae
-dessa
-tiye phoenix