RAtheMC

Birthplace?
Brookland NE, Washington DC

Place that you represent?
DC/NJ
What are you feelings on the state of hip hop in general?
I don't really think hip-hop is too present anymore. There's a lot of pop rap (popular) artist, but not so much hip-hop.

Feelings on female emcees?
I'm a big fan of them lol. I love the fact that there are more and more females pursuing rap each year because we (women) are such a complex being, I feel like we need a variety of female rappers to really tell our story in totality.

Your top 5 males emcees and why?
Biggie- Candence, Jay-Z- Lyricism, Kanye- Impact, Andre 3000- Style, and Big Daddy Kane- Everything. They have all influenced me in life, music, and performance.

Your top 5 females emcees and why?
Missy- Originality, Lauryn Hill- Presence, Rah Digga- Rawness, Queen Latifah- Motivational, and Left Eye- Emotional. They were pretty much the reason I started rapping.

Why do you feel females emcees don't last in this business?
Frustration lol. A lot of female artist get a good shot at longevity in the business but quit after years of unfair treatment.  The ones who last are the ones who endured. Missy, Lauryn, Kim, etc.

If you were not singing/rapping what would you be doing?
I'd have a career in photography/ visual arts.

How do you consider yourself different from the typical female rapper? What do you bring to the table?
I'm very honest and transparent as an artist overall, not just in my music. I think a lot of female rappers put on this facade to entertain but don't think about what happens when they gain weight, when their finances aren't the best, when they've gotten their heart broken. What happens when life isn't so entertaining? I think that's what sets me apart from other female MC's. I tell an honest story that everyday women can relate to.

How do males react to you when they find out you can spit?
Lol it depends. Sometimes they embrace it and sometimes they deny it. Males normally respect me as a rapper after they've seen me perform rather than just hearing a record.
How do you feel about "raw" female emcees going commercial? (Example Queen Latifah, Eve, Nicki Minaj)
I'd be writing a book if I really went into how I feel lol. In a nut shell I look at it as them reinventing themselves to stay relevant.

Speaking of Nicki Minaj...How do you feel on the "Barbie" Era? Is that what it takes to succeed in Hip Hop?
No I don't think that's what it takes to succeed. I'm a fan of Nicki, but I take her for what she is. A dope rapper. I don't agree with the "Barbie" marketing approach because that label invites children into her brand but at the same time, we all know sex sales. I think Nicki taking that route opens doors for the other kind of female who is the complete opposite.

Why do you feel that Nicki Minaj has such a strong following is it solely on her lyrics?
Nah, I think Nicki's following came from her image and affiliation. The most popular rapper in the game signed her and made her the "it" girl. Almost like Biggie made Kim the "it" girl.

First rap battle and what was was your experience with that?
My 1st rap battle was in my high school parking lot. I lived in MD and went to school in DC so it was the 1st time that any of my friends at school heard me rap. The guy was tall, buff, and so not ready lol. We went 3 rounds, I won and never looked back lol.

How does the typical male react to you in a freestyle battle?
They always underestimate me. Always. Whenever I battled a guy he would have this calming mood about him, like it was no big deal. Until I rapped, then their demeanor would always change.

What is your style and do you dress yourself?
Yep I style myself. I'd say my style right now is a modernized 1950's look. I love new trends as far as g-shocks, sneakers, and accessories go but I also love oxford saddle shoes, pearls, and fanny packs. My style changes w/ the wind though.

What song (s) made you decide to become an artist?
I'm an only child so growing up, the arts was the only way I could express myself. I didn't have siblings to talk to so I wrote poems, raps, and songs. Art was my escape. Still is.

What artists inspire you to keep progressing?
Kanye, Pharrell, Bilal, Puffy, and a few others. I'm inspired by people who constantly raise the bar. Most of the artist who inspire me have been knocked down a million times and still managed to come back stronger than ever.

Everyone compares your accident to Kanye’s-was it a car accident or did you just have similar injuries?
Yep it was a car crash w/ similar injuries. My mouth being wired being the biggest similarity.

Is there you would anyone you would like to work with?
There are soooo many artist I'd like to work with. Missy and Cee-lo are my top 2 though.

When is your album expected to drop?
August 31st

And what should people expect from the album?
A different sound from my previous mixtapes. A lot of feel good music.

Any label you would want to sign to and why?
Right now there isn't a specific label I'd like to go with. I've always been a fan of Def Jam and Atlantic as far as their selection of artist and marketing strategies go.

Being one of the few female MCs in the area, what does that mean to you?
It means a lot to me. I'm so appreciative for the way the DMV area has supported me in these last few years. I feel like I have a responsibility to be the voice of women in DC.

Who would you say is your biggest supporter?
Studio 43. Everyone on the team supports me, is honest w/ me, and keeps me motivated.

If there was anything you could tell girls that would want to follow in your footsteps what would it be?
Speak loud! If you have a voice and something to say, find your lane and drive fast! Lol...Everything this possible.

Do you have any empowering quotes that you would like to share?
Patience is a virtue. Virtue is the manifestation of power. Are you powerful enough to be patient?- RA

You are a different bred and we respect the fact that you respect yourself...What made you decide not to go the Lil Kim route (we love lil Kim and everything she has done) but more of a realist route?
I'm not even sure myself. I guess because the content that Kim had didn't relate to me. I loved it and was entertained by it but I was never the girl in the club dressed half naked looking for someone to pay my bills. All I could write about was what I knew.

www.rathemc.com
www.twitter.com/rathemc

-RAtheMC x MTV
http://www.ourstage.com/go/mtv2dc

-RAtheMC "We Ridin" MUSIC VIDEO
http://www.vimeo.com/7183048

-RAtheMC "Lost Ones"  MUSIC VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7bZTSB4hz8&feature=player_embedded

Lady A feat. RAtheMC x VH1http://www.vh1.com/video/lady-a/429512/may-sound-crazy.jhtml