We’re looking forward to introducing you to THE RIDAH G.O.D. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning THE RIDAH G.O.D, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
All of those are important but I would have to go with integrity. We’re in a time or season where righteousness and moral principles have become so vital. Integrity for sure.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by the stage name THE RIDAH G.O.D and I am a recording artist based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. To be specific, I record rap/hip hop music independently. My music is message heavy and centered in reality rap. I’ve been involved with rap music and recording rap music since the 90s. I was apart of two rap groups along this journey. The two groups were THE BLACKH.O.O.D.S (Rest In Love to my Brother Richard “Rich” Haney) and SUITED -N- BOOTED, both based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. I continued on my journey as a solo recording artist up to this very moment. I recently released my powerful new project which is a double album entitled “ARKLANTIS: The Soundtrack To The Times” that can be found at my website www.ridahgod.com and also on all streaming platforms online. Simply Google my stage name and you can find me online.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I came from very humble beginnings being raised by my mother in the housing projects on the SouthSide of Little Rock without a father in the home. I only met my biological father twice in my early childhood. Being one of eight kids and feeling what poverty was like at a very early age will shape you in such a way. That laid the foundation but I would have to say the powerful moment that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came into my life really shaped and changed how I see the world. It was in such an unconventional way that He didn’t find me in a church.. He literally found me in the streets. My entire perspective of WHO Jesus Christ is was completely shattered from what I was taught about Jesus Christ in the church. That.. was the most life changing moment of my life. That.. changed how I saw the world for sure. In this moment in time, this is very very important to mention in this article. For many that are unwavering followers of Jesus Christ, many have had encounters, experiences and revelations. Some are speaking publicly about those things and some may still be fearful of being judged in speaking of such things. I am unashamed in doing so because it is my truth. To have such an experience will never leave you the same nor your perspective of the reality/world that you live in. I make sure I share and say Jesus’ name as much as I can and to let others know that it’s also ok to do so. I know that was a long answer but it was very necessary. Thank you for asking that question.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were plenty of times that I came close to giving up. I threw away rhyme notebooks and stepped away from music many times. I’m from Little Rock, Arkansas. To have a passion to do hip hop/rap music was never the popular or safe choice of profession where I’m from. You have to believe in yourself and your skill/talent and be completely confident in what you can do as an artist. You have to know ‘who’ you are as an artist because if you don’t, you will fall victim to trends and all of the noise out there. It takes guts to be a true artist with an original message. Many artist fail to realize that they are one of one. There is only one of YOU. Nobody can tell your story or truth because they are not you. It’s the LOVE for the craft that carries you through and past all of the times that you almost give up. Lastly, success is defined differently for everyone. You simply have to know what is success to you. Giving up is easy. It takes guts and courage to press on.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lies that the industry I’m apart of tells itself is that the devil isn’t real, that the devil doesn’t run that industry and that you can’t loose your Soul. Another lie being pushed in the industry towards rap/hip hop is that the older you become the less relevant you become or that there isn’t a market for older rappers. That’s a lie that was started and pushed by people that own those major record companies because they understand how powerful and influential rap is. The genre itself is very young and most of the artists that were around when it started are still alive. The industry suits don’t want to see the genre evolve or grow up. They don’t want to see it controlled by the very people who created. They want to keep it in ‘their’ control, keep it negative, keep it destructive and keep it young without any form of balance or without any older leadership in the mainstream. They also want to continue profiting off of the intentional destruction of black people in the way that they market certain types of rap music in our communities. There are many more lies but let’s just keep it there for now. Great question. Thank you for asking.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
It is my hope that many understood how deeply I wanted them all to know the truth in having a true relationship with Jesus Christ. I don’t mean that fluffy watered down version, I’m talking about real repentance and confessing your sins to be made new. The transformative power in humbling themselves in Jesus Christ. I also hope people tell their stories of all of the unseen acts of humility, kindness, strength, compassion and righteousness in my life that helped so many respectfully. I want people to know how much I love Jesus Christ, how much I love Little Rock and Arkansas, how much I love hip hop and how much I love TRUTH. Lastly, to know that it’s ok to be ORIGINAL and to be who YOU are destined to be unapologetically. Me traveling the road less traveled and being a living example to other artists where I’m from. Believe in yourself even in the face of doubt and betrayal from the very people that you thought would support you or believe in you. Keep mashing no matter what! Remember all of this about me. I know this isn’t apart of the question but I wanted to add this for my loved ones that will read this article. I wanted to share that I lost my beloved older sister Nadean some months back. She was my biggest supporter and always believed in me. I love her and miss her deeply. It was fitting to say her name in relation to this article because she is no longer physically here to see and enjoy this. This article is dedicated to her loving memory for everything that she did for me on my journey. She was the best. Thank you big Sis. Rest well and we will see each other again in Christ.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ridahgod.com
- Instagram: @theridahgod
- Facebook: @TheRidahGodOfficial
- Youtube: @theridahgod
Image Credits
Fredrick Baltimore for DINKY DESIGN
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