A New Jersey native, Rah Digga attended private school in Maryland where she graduated as salutatorian, then studied electrical engineering at the New Jersey Institute Of Technology. She started rapping after being inspired by artists of hip hop's "golden age" such as Rakim, Kool G. Rap and Queen Latifah, eventually joining the group Twice the Flavor and then Jersey's Outsidaz clique. A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip negotiated her a deal with Elektra Records after being impressed by a performance at New York City's Lyricist Lounge (at which time Digga was eight months pregnant). Q-Tip also introduced her to Busta Rhymes, who invited her to join his newly-formed Flipmode Squad crew. The deal with Elektra soon collapsed however and Digga signed to Flipmode Entertainment. She made guest appearanes on Busta's 1997 album When Disaster Strikes as well as the Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 1 compilation (on the track "Be OK", a two-hander with Bahamadia), the first installment of the Hip Hop For Respect anti-police brutality project in memory of Amadou Diallo, and the Fugees track "Cowboys", before joining up with the Flipmode Squad for The Imperial Album (1998). Anticipation mounted for further output, and she recorded tracks with legendary producers Pete Rock and DJ Premier. These and others were included on her solo album Dirty Harriet in 2000.
The follow-up to Dirty Harriet was originally intended to be a duet album with Digga's husband, Young Zee of the Outsidaz. However, this was eventually put on hold for a fully-fledged solo album. However, it was long delayed, partly due to Digga switching labels from J Records to the independent Koch Records; currently a February 2006 release is planned, with the album titled Sucker Free. A single, which may or may not resurface on the album, is "Party Gets Hot Tonight" featuring Akon. Her follow up album that was supposed to be released on J Records was titled Everything Is a Story, and was originally scheduled to be released February 10, 2004. During the time between her first and second solo albums Digga made numerous high-profile guest appearances, including on Busta Rhymes' hit single "I Know What You Want" and on albums by Talib Kweli, Bless, Masta Ace and Jamelia.
Rah Digga can be seen in Busta's latest (and polemical) video, "Touch It Remix", that features Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX.
Rah Digga also stars as (Maggie Bess) in the 2001 re-make of the sci-fi chiller Thirteen Ghosts
So Cool
Rah Digga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me conductor, I lead the way for ya
Underground vibe, status self-employed
R-A-H aka Harriet Thugman
Carry out the legacy with seed and husband
Now off with the head thingy
Watch flip to a genie
And I be a Mac like Beanie
With rhymes that'll make ya have to settle for Movado
The dirtiest getting all the way live
Steady tappin' my shit, tryin' to eat while I drive
Speeding to a function to play the little actress
Three hours late and don't even know the address
Madness with the ill sexy flow
And the label spendin' g's not tryin' to let me go
Rockin' on the stage after me, you fool!
Cause I am so cool
[Carl Thomas(Rah Digga)]
Cause she's so cool, yeah oh
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
She's so cool
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
[Rah Digga]
I aim high beat date in December
A million motherfuckers whose face I don't remember
Next to fall with the be -girl ball
Tight gear little cousins
The store from the mall
Rockin' hardcore to some R&B shit
Kickin' rhymes for the round-the-way heads
That I'm at peace with
Love the ice rock silver as a preference
Taking writer's credit so offer a suggestion
So bust them heads who ain't real wit it
Who don't want shit in life and can't deal with it
I see you
Frontin' like you on my side
Switch sides thanks for the ride bitch
See me on the cover, (Say what?) strike a pose
Just know after that I'm making off with the clothes
Underground rule for real, so what's the haps?
Take it back like kids who fight in playing caps
Or Jacks ?N' Ball, freestyle off the wall
Tell em don't forget the stones when they make the Digga dome
Do away with styling you ain't even found yet
Blow the mic out and ain't nothing but a sound check
Writing rhymes like you wish you could
Tight breaking em down on behalf of sisterhood
Spittin' every time use my looks as a tool
Cause I am so cool
[Carl Thomas](Rah Digga)
Cause she's so cool
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
She's so cool
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
Cool
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
She's so cool
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
She's so, so
You can't be as fly as she, oh
In Rah Digga's "So Cool," she boasts about her coolness and her ability to lead the way in the underground vibe. She refers to herself as Harriet Thugman, indicating her willingness to carry the legacy of the African-American abolitionist and political activist. The line "off with the head thingy, watch flip to a genie" could represent Rah Digga's transformation from being underground to mainstream, turning into a genie or a powerful entity. Rah Digga describes herself as a Mac like Beanie, which may illustrate her confidence and swagger, just like the American rapper Beanie Sigel.
She continues to convey her coolness by stating, "out the bottle, I turn thug supermodel" suggesting that she can switch from being a tough thug to a glamorous supermodel quickly. She implies that people are trying to copy her style and sound by "tapping" it, and she needs to hurry to a function to play a little actress. Rah Digga also mentions that her record label spends a lot of money to keep her, indicating her commercial success. She further clarifies that after her performance, she is cool enough to walk away with the clothes.
Rah digga is proud of her dope flow and states that she's always spitting rhymes and using her looks as a tool. She is also using her music to empower women, as she mentions the "sisterhood" in her rap. The chorus features Carl Thomas singing about how cool Rah Digga is and how nobody can be as fly as her.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me conductor, I lead the way for ya
I am the leader of the underground vibe, self-employed and ready to guide you.
Underground vibe, status self-employed
I am independent and set the trend for underground music.
R-A-H aka Harriet Thugman
My alias stands for my strong, empowered voice that echoes the legacy of Harriet Tubman.
Carry out the legacy with seed and husband
I continue the legacy with my offspring and significant other.
Now off with the head thingy
I am ready to flip the script and start anew.
Watch flip to a genie
I transform into an unstoppable force of creativity and power like a genie.
And I be a Mac like Beanie
I am as cool and smooth as Beanie Sigel and I am unstoppable like a Mac computer.
Out the bottle, I turn thug super model
My thug attitude and unique style transform me into a role model for women everywhere.
With rhymes that'll make ya have to settle for Movado
My incredible skills force people to settle for lesser brands than the high-end watch designer, Movado.
The dirtiest getting all the way live
I am the most real and genuine artist out there and always bring my best when performing live.
Steady tappin' my shit, tryin' to eat while I drive
People are always trying to steal my content and profit from it while I am still creating.
Speeding to a function to play the little actress
I am always on the move, and always performing, whether on or off the stage.
Three hours late and don't even know the address
I am always so busy working that even though I may be late to things, I never forget to show up and perform.
Madness with the ill sexy flow
My powerful, unique flow is electrifying and impossible to replicate.
And the label spendin' g's not tryin' to let me go
My record label is investing a lot of money in me and doesn't want to let me leave.
Rockin' on the stage after me, you fool!
You are foolish to follow me in a performance, as you will never be able to match my energy and stage presence.
Cause I am so cool
I am the epitome of coolness and confidence, and I know it.
Cause she's so cool, yeah oh
She is the definition of cool.
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
Money is what drives everything and makes things happen.
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
No one can ever match her impressive coolness and style.
I aim high beat date in December
I am setting my goals high and have a specific deadline in mind to achieve them.
A million motherfuckers whose face I don't remember
I have met and seen so many people that I can't possibly remember all of them or their faces.
Next to fall with the be-girl ball
I am next in line to showcasing the be-girl ball style in the music industry.
Tight gear little cousins
The store from the mall
My unique and sparkly clothes come from trendy stores like the mall.
Rockin' hardcore to some R&B shit
I transform sexy and sultry R&B music into a fast and powerful rock song.
Kickin' rhymes for the round-the-way heads
That I'm at peace with
I am constantly writing and performing lyrics for everyday people who understand me and like my work.
Love the ice rock silver as a preference
I prefer wearing silver and diamond jewelry.
Taking writer's credit so offer a suggestion
I am willing to collaborate if you can prove significant contribution to my unique style and lyrics.
So bust them heads who ain't real wit it
Expose those who aren't genuine in their craft and don't have the real talent.
Who don't want shit in life and can't deal with it
I see you
I notice and recognize those who aren't motivated or successful in life and don't like it.
Frontin' like you on my side
Switch sides thanks for the ride bitch
You pretended to be in support of me but now you've betrayed me and I am moving on without you.
See me on the cover, (Say what?) strike a pose
I pose confidently and gracefully on magazine covers!
Just know after that I'm making off with the clothes
I wear and take home the designer clothes I showcase in the photo shoots.
Underground rule for real, so what's the haps?
The underground scene rules forever and I am curious to know what's happening.
Take it back like kids who fight in playing caps
Or Jacks ?N' Ball, freestyle off the wall
Reminisce about childhood games like caps and jacks while exhibiting original, free-flowing creativity.
Tell em don't forget the stones when they make the Digga dome
Don't forget the important details that make my unique style recognizable.
Do away with styling you ain't even found yet
I am only interested in moving forward, and will abandon any tentative styles or ideas that are not mine yet in search of true originality.
Blow the mic out and ain't nothing but a sound check
I am so good that even a simple sound check sounds like a full performance that will blow everyone away.
Writing rhymes like you wish you could
You wish you could write rhymes as well and as original as me.
Tight breaking em down on behalf of sisterhood
I will always support my fellow women and fight for their representation and equal treatment in the industry.
Spittin' every time use my looks as a tool
I use my appearance and hallmark style as a form of expression and creativity in all my performances and life.
Cause I am so cool
I am the most cool, powerful, and unique artist out there and I know it.
Cool
A reaffirmation that she is cool and one-of-a-kind.
She's so cool
She is the definition of cool.
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
No one can ever match her impressive coolness and style.
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
Money is what drives everything and makes things happen.
She's so, so
You can't be as fly as she, oh
She is incredibly unique and you can never match her impressive style and coolness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID REGINALD THOMAS, MARK WINSTON KIBBLE, HALLERIN H. HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind