Nestled throughout the panorama of Hip Hop, Mickey Factz has helped to craft a contemporary narrative amongst criticisms that the tradition has misplaced its means. Pendulum Ink, an academy with the heartbeat of lyricism, is pulsing and alive. We’ve heard of schools and universities providing particular programs associated to Rap and its most influential voices. But, with Pendulum Ink, we’ve got a Hip Hop academy that was created by the tradition, for the tradition.

If there’s anybody who can stroll us down the roads of Hip Hop historical past, Mickey Factz is it. From the onset of his profession, the Bronx native paid homage to the greats earlier than him in his freestyles and have become a formidable power within the Battle Rap circuit. As a preserver of Hip Hop, Pendulum Ink was the following logical step to provide again to the tradition that formed his artistry—and he’s known as on heavy hitters to make it a actuality.

Within the hallowed area of Pendulum Ink, the intricacies of rhyme come to life, and the essence of Hip Hop is deconstructed and celebrated. College students aren’t simply studying the rhythm of phrases however are launched to disciplines that marry the streets’ ethos to academia. Suppose Rhymecology, a research of rhyme’s energy, and Criminology with Hip Hop, which unpacks societal narratives and cultural implications.

Since its inception, Pendulum Ink has seen its fair proportion of visitor lecturers passing on the generational wealth of mental forex. Enter Rah Digga, a lyrical powerhouse who has not solely been a top-selling, globally acknowledged artist, however somebody who shares in Factz’s hope of instilling core values on this period of Hip Hop. Her upcoming psychological wellness session is charged with promise, spotlighting the transformative energy of lyricism and displaying how verses might be extra than simply phrases. They could be a salve, a instrument for psychological introspection and therapeutic.

“Now, greater than ever, we’re simply seeing the after-effects of not with the ability to focus on psychological well being in our group. Significantly the Black group. We’re simply at all times anticipated and reared to be sturdy and difficult it out and thug it out. However there are numerous myths. We’ve witnessed numerous psychological breakdowns. We see the results that fame and fortune can have on individuals and there simply hasn’t been sufficient psychological well being consciousness in place to guard the tradition in that regard.”

-Rah Digga

Our dialog with these trailblazers unfolded layers of thought. They spoke of psychological well being, its paramount significance in Hip Hop, and its resonances in Black tradition. Because the echoes of Hip Hop’s monumental fiftieth anniversary reverberate, Rah Digga and Mickey Factz touched upon a legacy that’s deeper than simply music. It’s about unity, the crucial of schooling, and the silent power in generational wealth. Additional, for the academy’s second annual Girls’s Month, Pendulum Ink’s visitor lecturers embody not solely Rah however notable figures like Shawnna, Bahamadia, Jaz The Rapper, and extra.

Learn by means of our expansive, intriguing chat with these two legends as they focus on Pendulum Ink, concord in Hip Hop, femcees being greater than their visible picture within the business, and the necessity for extra artist improvement—and see the second Rah Digga realizes she has many extra business buddies than she first thought.

This interview has been barely edited for readability.

HotNewHipHop: I recognize you each a lot for taking the time at present. Let’s leap proper in: Rah, how did you get entangled with Pendulum Ink?

Rah Digga: He had seen that I used to be doing a program of my very own known as Lyrics Matter. And you recognize, I typically publish about issues that I’m doing. I’m at all times doing lectures, I’m at all times doing grasp courses and workshops. So, he reached out to me and requested me if this was one thing that I want to be concerned with. I stated definitely, as a result of I really feel like as artists, you recognize, we’ve got a—along with serving up the life-style, I really feel prefer it’s our responsibility and our obligation to additionally train. I really feel like the tutorial facet of the tradition is equally vital as the life-style. So, I signed on and there I used to be.

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I feel it’s tremendous vital. With psychological well being and Hip Hop, I agree, it’s a tradition and never only a style. Generational wealth isn’t at all times simply monetary, it’s schooling and information. Psychological well being has change into such a sizzling matter, why did you wish to speak about it on this particular course?

RD: Properly, for probably the most half, I really feel like these days, even now greater than ever, there is a vital aspect lacking within the tradition, and that’s artist improvement. Oftentimes, we’re seeing the ramifications of artists simply form of waking as much as these multimillion-dollar offers and getting cash thrown of their arms with out being mentally ready for or having the self-discipline that it takes to actually maneuver on this business. And the results are dangerous.

And phrases, simply generally, are very highly effective. Ideas change into issues, and I really feel like lots of people depend on music for his or her psychological escape and issues of that nature. So, it’s vital that the messengers are mentally geared up to cope with that, in addition to understanding and acknowledging the individuals which can be receiving the messages and the vibrations and the frequencies that include our music.

Now, greater than ever, we’re simply seeing the after-effects of not with the ability to focus on psychological well being in our group. Significantly the Black group. We’re simply at all times anticipated and reared to be sturdy and difficult it out and thug it out. However there are numerous myths. And we’ve witnessed numerous psychological breakdowns. We see the results that fame and fortune can have on individuals, and there simply hasn’t been sufficient psychological well being consciousness in place to guard the tradition in that regard.

Learn Extra: Rah Digga Weighs In On Lord Jamar’s Ideas On Feminine Rappers

And along with your course at Pendulum Ink, pairing that with lyricism, what does that appear to be? I do know what it means, however are you able to clarify particular angles to what you’ll be instructing inside that course?

Mickey Factz: I might help out with that. Me and Rah haven’t actually had a dialog about what she’ll be instructing.

RD: I’m completely happening the fly! [laughs]

MF: [Laughs] On the fly! So, Erika, how the course runs, we’ve had a number of, huge artists are available in. From Technique Man to Twista to Inspectah Deck and so forth and so forth. And the way we run the courses, first, we’ve got a query and a dialogue in regards to the stream of this explicit legendary visitor artist. Then, we’ve got a dialogue about their approach when it comes to the writing prowess that they’ve. And the third query dives deep into their psychological well being from a perspective of a track that they’d the place they specific themselves from an emotional standpoint, the place we bought an opportunity to not simply hear how skillful this individual is, however how they open up themselves from an emotional standpoint.

So, it’s going to be a shock for Rah to listen to what track we selected to see the place she dove deep into. Then, we’re going to provide her an opportunity to form of break that down from the place she was at that standpoint. We’ve Jeff Walker, our psychological well being specialist, that’s on employees, that’s going to guide that exact query.

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That’s nice. I imply, I’ve been a psychological well being advocate for many years and am a suicide survivor as properly. So, being concerned in Hip Hop and having this academy and course is one thing that I can undoubtedly get behind. Let’s shift only a bit to celebrating Hip Hop’s fiftieth. Rah, you’ve gotten an expansive profession and are an icon as a lady in Rap. What are you seeing inside this era of ladies in Hip Hop, as in comparison with your individual?

RD: My statement is they’re—I don’t wish to use the phrase forcing as a result of no one is being pressured to do something. However I’d say they’re being influenced to rely closely on their picture and every thing else exterior of the particular expertise. And whereas we all know, you recognize, advertising and intercourse sells, and issues of that nature, I really feel like these girls are additionally being—I feel it’s taking a psychological toll on them.

I feel it’s inflicting a degree of insecurity that my era and the earlier generations earlier than me didn’t essentially need to cope with as soon as upon a time. It was only a matter of, you recognize, rocking aspect by aspect alongside the fellows, and simply with the ability to compete in that realm. However now, there’s an overhaul of getting to fret about what you appear to be and your physique sort. I feel it’s inflicting girls to do issues to themselves simply to maintain up with the pressures of the picture. I feel it’s having a unfavorable impression on the ladies these days.

I’d say they’re being influenced to rely closely on their picture and every thing else exterior of the particular expertise. And whereas we all know, you recognize, advertising and intercourse sells, and issues of that nature, I really feel like these girls are additionally being—I feel it’s taking a psychological toll on them. I feel it’s inflicting a degree of insecurity that my era and the earlier generations earlier than me didn’t essentially need to cope with as soon as upon a time.

-Rah Digga

Learn Extra: Honouring Feminine Hip-Hop Legends For Black Historical past Month

What recommendation would you give to anyone who is considering getting into the sport? “I wish to be a rapper, I wish to be a songwriter, I wish to be…” Together with your vantage level in Hip Hop historical past, what’s one thing that they need to first do earlier than leaping into the business?

RD: I feel I feel each artist, not simply girls, however each artist generally ought to ask themselves what’s it precisely that I stand to realize. Like, if I’m simply right here to select up a bag and go and use this as a springboard, that’s tremendous. No matter your M.O. is. If you happen to’re someone that basically cares in regards to the tradition, and actually cares in regards to the artwork, you simply wish to show your artistry. That’s tremendous. No matter you’re attempting to do, it’s important to be actual with your self.

Everybody has this ready file of what they suppose somebody who’s providing them a deal or a contract needs to listen to. However I feel it’s important to be actual with your self first. What’s it that you simply’re seeking to acquire from this? And based mostly on that reply, it’s best to stand sturdy in that and do what you want to do to satisfy your purpose. When it’s all stated and performed, you don’t wish to be the one which has benefited the least off of your blood, sweat, and tears. So, you recognize, no matter your purpose is, make it work, however be actual with your self about what your purpose is.

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And with 50 years of Hip Hop behind us, what’s your projection for the following 5 many years? What would you wish to see?

RD: Within the subsequent 50 years of Hip Hop, I want to see artists take again the tradition [laughs]. I want to see, you recognize, much less fits and different entities dictating the tradition, and we dictate the tradition ourselves. I want to see extra possession with the artists. I’m hoping that at this stage within the sport, artists aren’t nonetheless getting trapped in lifelong offers and issues of that nature the place they’re benefiting the least from it.

And I want to see some type of union or some type of conglomerate that may care for among the pioneers and the legends who haven’t been in a position to monetize the way in which the newer generations have. I want to see some type of community put collectively for these artists in want. Everybody form of stand collectively in it very like SAG is standing behind the Writers Guild. I want to see the music business and musicians hold that very same vitality.

Yeah, there’s been a push for that lately, proper?

RD: Sure, there has. I imply, I’m lower than velocity on the place it stands proper now. However I don’t suppose a lot has modified. And now, with this AI transferring in, it received’t be lengthy earlier than human being artists get boxed out altogether. So, no matter it’s we’re gonna do, it form of must occur before later.

MF: Yeah. KRS-One and I feel it’s a Chuck D. KRS-One, and I wanna say Kool Herc? They’ve began a nonprofit group to help in getting some funding to assist out among the older artists.

RD: Oh! That’s spectacular. So long as we begin someplace. The seeds are planted, and I’m wanting ahead to seeing them be fruitful and multiply.

MF: Yeah, and that’s what we’re attempting to additionally do with Pendulum Ink. We’re constructing this up in order that we will make use of among the older artists, we will get them jobs and both public faculties, personal faculties, and even on the collegiate degree to show lyricism in the proper means appropriately taught. So, simply so as to add on to that, that’s the function. And we’re transferring ahead, and Rah Digga is part of that exact journey on this area.

That’s what we’re attempting to additionally do with Pendulum Ink. We’re constructing this up in order that we will make use of among the older artists, we will get them jobs and both public faculties, personal faculties, and even on the collegiate degree to show lyricism in the proper means appropriately taught.

-Mickey Factz

I feel what was so enticing to me about Pendulum Ink is that I mirrored on how, through the years, there have been so many artists which have their very own programs at locations like Harvard. They’ll train one thing at some school someplace for a semester and transfer on. To have one thing that’s collectively, purposefully Hip Hop oriented, with our artwork, legends, and OGs with the ability to instill that information, I feel that that’s one thing that’s so, so nice.

RD: I agree.

MF: Thanks. I imply, it’s crucial that we honor—there’s by no means been an area, like a Hip Hop faculty, proper? The place you possibly can simply come and be taught psychological well being for your self and discover ways to rhyme on beat. After which, even be taught criminology in Hip Hop. Be taught the music enterprise, be taught finance, be taught the visible aesthetics in hip hop, be taught the historical past of Hip Hop. We’ve over 15 programs that simply specialise in strictly Hip Hop. And you recognize, the way forward for that is gonna go to ranges individuals have by no means seen earlier than, and we’re simply very, very excited—

RD: And discover ways to carry out! [laughs]

MF: [Laughs] That’s developing, too.

Sure, as a result of there have been some artists I’ve seen the place I’m like, please don’t make me write about this [laughs]. However more often than not, I’m very a lot about unity in Hip Hop and at all times ask, particularly with artists who’ve longevity and success, who has been probably the most supportive throughout your profession?

RD: I gotta shout out my sista Sha-Rock. She is unquestionably in my nook. She’s designated me because the lifetime host for Sha-Rock Day within the Bronx each June. Busta Rhymes. It goes with out saying. You realize, we’re in our completely different areas, however we at all times hyperlink up when vital.

I don’t actually have “business buddies” like that. However I’ll say, simply so far as like, friends? I imply, all the OGs. MC Lyte, [Roxanne] Shante, [Queen] Latifah. The entire females earlier than me, they at all times attain out to me once in a while. Anytime there’s a chance. And so they simply converse encouraging phrases, letting me know like, “Hey sis, we see you continue to bought boots on the bottom like that. Maintain pushing.”

Even among the youthful artists. Rapsody is just a little sister to me. Sa Roc is just a little sister to me. We’re truly heading out for tour beginning this Friday (August 4) is our first present. Larry Jones, one other dope artist. I only recently developed a sisterhood with Kash Doll. So, there’s even artists who’re of their prime proper now that I’ve fashioned considerably of a reference to. There’s at all times been a robust help system for me as a result of all people is aware of anytime—all my Jersey artists. Redman—we’ve got a jersey conglomerate of artists that simply present up for one another at any time when.

So, I can’t actually say I don’t have any buddies [laughs]. However I feel I’ve extra buddies than I notice, now as I as I scroll down my Rolodex. It’s like, you recognize what? This can be a individual I can rely on, and this can be a individual I can rely on. Mia X is an effective buddy of mine. I imply, there’s no unhealthy blood with me and anybody. I can’t consider anybody that I’ve ever had business beef with. Babs is one other sister of mine. You realize Remy [Ma] is one other sister of mine. We simply click on, we simply vibe and perceive one another. Shawnna. I imply, I may simply identify all people. It’s all good within the ‘hood with me. Monie Love! Yo-Yo!

I simply interviewed Yo-Yo and Rapsody, each phenomenal. I requested them the identical query as a result of there’s a lot being unfold about divisiveness within the tradition. “Who’s beefing with who,” when in actuality, there’s a lot extra help than we notice.

RD: I feel, you recognize, most of that simply appears to seem while you’re in that tremendous mainstream area, and also you’re form of getting pitted in opposition to one another. “Properly, who’s gonna have the primary this week,” and, “Who’s bought extra Billboard stuff happening?” I feel when all of that will get interjected into the combo, as a result of that was even occurring in my time, after which when you truly sit down with an individual or get in the identical room with an individual, it’s like, “Hey, we even have far more commonalities than we’ve got variations. We’re all girls attempting to outlive in a male-dominated style.” So, I feel as soon as we truly converse to one another, it’s at all times love. However up till that, sure, the politics or the “politricks” of all of it could have you competing.

Very true. That is my final query. I requested it to everybody. However principally, everyone knows that superstar is an phantasm, proper? And when individuals see Rah Digga, they’ve an expectation of who they suppose you might be based mostly in your profession, or what they will see on-line, or the music they listened to. However that’s all a haze as a result of it’s only a presentation of your artistry. When that phantasm is lifted, what’s one thing in regards to the coronary heart of who you might be as an individual that doesn’t at all times translate, that individuals can’t at all times see?

RD: I feel the largest shock that individuals will study me is I’m very delicate. I’m very smooth and pink [laughs]. I’m very sentimental. Like, the issues that you’d suppose are like precedence to a common superstar…for me, it’s about household. It’s about breaking bread, it’s about communication. I wish to lean extra into the humanity aspect of my artistry versus the phantasm aspect of it.

So, when individuals meet me—after they’ve a dialog with me—it’s like, “Wow you actual right down to earth, such as you actual cool, you actual grounded.” Individuals simply count on diva from celebrities, notably females, and after they meet me, it’s like, “Oh, wow, such as you’re tremendous cool.” I feel, cooler than they’d count on the standard artist.

Yeah, that’s been the first reply. Persons are like, “I’m not as diva-ish or caught up within the superstar facet of my profession as individuals suppose.”

RD: I’m not as hardcore as my voice portrays me to be [laughs]. No, actually, I’m truly extraordinarily girly. My favourite shade is pink, and I cry on the motion pictures. I’m undoubtedly thick-skinned once I have to be, however issues that—I can’t go to mattress at evening figuring out that somebody’s mad at me. Except the trolls. F*ck the trolls [laughs]. However, if there’s rigidity with somebody in my life, I’ll exit of my method to rectify it. And I’ve no drawback being the one to increase that olive department.

Aw, Rah Digga is a softy!

RD: I’m! I actually am. The trolls don’t know in actual life they’ve me in a fetal place [laughs].

MF: [Laughs]

No, no. I’ve to take that out so that they don’t suppose they will get to you!

RD: Proper. Look, psych! [Laughs] I’ll discover you! As a result of I’ll monitor your IP tackle down so quick!

Maintain up to date with all issues associated to the femcee icon at rahdiggamusic.com. Additionally, ensure that to take a look at the remaining must-see tour dates, as Rah Digga is presently on the street with Sa Roc.

• August 10 – Atlanta, Georgia at Metropolis Vineyard
• August 11 – Durham, North Carolina at The Pinhook
• August 12 – Asheville, North Carolina at Gray Eagle
• August 13 – Nashville, Tennessee at Metropolis Vineyard