D.C. - They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  With Ra the MC, no second chance is needed.  One of the first things I noticed when I met Ra was the unspoken strength she exuded.  This is a woman who, when you‘re in the presence of her, can’t help but feel the intensity of her ambition.  This force seamlessly carries over into her exceptional lyrics.  Lyrics that don’t rely on superficial declarations of promiscuity.  Instead, Ra speaks about the coolness of women in such a way that guys can relate to it as well.  A native of D.C., she proudly reps her hometown to the fullest and is on a fast track to becoming the “it” girl of hip-hop. 

When I asked Ra why D.C. doesn’t get a lot of attention in the music scene, she replied, “There has never really been an industry in this area, so we get looked over a lot.  They look at us as we’re not ready.  But I think we definitely are now.”  After listening to a few tracks from her recently released CD Victory Lap, I couldn’t agree more.  She’s swaggered out in the beat filled “4 the Belt,” which has classic status written all over it.  And to anyone out there grinding, trying to turn their dreams into reality, Ra penned your theme song with “One Shot,” off of her Heart of a Champion album.  The track is fire, with a killer hook.

Ra (short for Rashea) wants more than just money and fame.  She wants to “have an impact on someone.  Pac said he might not change the world, but he may spark the mind of the person who does.  And that’s what I’m after, to be an inspiration to anyone out there listening to me.”  She's definitely on her way to being just that, after playing in venues from D.C. all the way to London and Barcelona.  “The way I’m embraced overseas is crazy, I get a lot of love.”  Ra the MC has got the world set in her sights, and her aim is top notch.  She shut it down at the MTV Video Music Awards pre-show in 2009 and is poised to make 2011 the year of the femcee.  Nine mixtapes in, Ra has remained humble throughout her career, despite opening up for such huge acts as Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan.  “I don’t feel like I’ve had that hit yet, but I’m always excited to do a new project to see if I can grow and top what I’ve done before.”

Now it was time for the million-dollar question.  The question that sparks lively debates in barbershops and ciphers across the country.  Does hip-hop still exist?  Depending on where you’re from and who you like, this answer can vary immensely.  The last time I engaged in this discussion, it ended with a corndog being hurled in my direction.  Luckily for me, Ra the Mc was more dignified in her response.  “If we’re talking about the culture, the genre, in terms of educating and actually having content in your music, then I don’t think that exists anymore.  It used to be a balance of 'This is the party life, but this is what’s really going on.'  We don’t really have that today.”

 When Ra the MC took the stage at the Warehouse Loft Nightclub, she  needed no introduction as she electrified the audience who knew her lyrics verbatim and sung them right along with her.  She proved to be more than a one-dimensional artist when she gave the audience a small taste of her melodic voice, as she sang an intro to her next club banger that had the crowd hypnotized.  This showcase of talent underscores why Ra defines her style “As a blend of hip-hop and R&B.  I don’t have that classic hip-hop production or delivery like I used to, ‘cause it’s kind’ve not relevant.”  Then the word play kicked in, with lyrics such as, “I’m competing with a bunch of rap Mrs. / They emo, the dot at the end of a sentence.”  It’s easy to understand why Ra is poised to take over the charts.  What’s attractive about her style is its realness mixed with smooth delivery and sly punchlines.  She’s got that crossover appeal that’s missing with a lot of female emcees.

Today’s woman has her fair share of challenges, and in the rap game those challenges are magnified.  Ra has met these problems head on, but how?  Given the lack of quality female representation in the industry, how does she defy the odds?  “By representing the real woman, the woman beneath.  That woman is someone who can be superficial and is into material things and has a sexual side, but at the end of the day there are a lot of challenges that we experience with relationships, jobs, everyday life, so it’s that story with all the things that come along.”  With such an in depth view of the world around her and an obvious knowledge of self, it comes as no surprise that Ra the MC writes all of her songs, which is rare these days, I might add.

Being on such a fast track to the top, I was curious about how Ra handles success, “Never really having any expectations, I really love to do music, and it makes me happy.  I take it as it comes.  I don’t expect anything more than what I put into it.  That’s kind’ve how I deal with everything.” 

Trying to locate Ra’s music on the web is like playing pin the tale on the donkey in a closet full of donkeys.  You can’t miss.  You can check her at Studio43.com, YouTube, RaTheMC.net, and basically anywhere else that emits sound.

As the interview wound down, Ra wanted fans to know how much she appreciates them.  “I just want to thank people for rockin' with me this long.  It means a lot.”  And lest they forget, she’s doing it "4 the Belt"!

By Correspondent: Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen catapulted into this world via the Lone Star State during the cute baby shortage of ’78, and thus ended the crisis.  He then went on the military brat world tour, laying his hat down in Japan, Alaska, Florida, Virginia, and now watches the sun set in Washington D.C.  He’s been known to mumble in his sleep “I’m hip-hop ‘til I die.”  With a passion for arts and entertainment, Michael has produced his own public access television show, has been beaten up as a small time hustler on HBO’s “The Wire,” and writes screenplays in his spare time.

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