Rain: Stormy Horizon

Say what you want about the rap game, Randy “Rain” Watford doesn’t have time for your humdrum assumptions. The former Source “Unsigned Hype” still believes in the power of the art form. After the buzz of his first major mixtape, “Only in America,” became widespread, Rain became acid – decimating tracks and keeping his name on the streets by releasing over 100 freestyles that made its way on over 100 national mixtapes.

The advent of YouTube has allowed the Fayetteville, North Carolina emcee to fully express his creative talents. By the end of 2006, the eyes of the industry were trained on the First In Flight Entertainment CEO after his feature on S.M.A.C.K. DVD, Vol. 13 – the number one street DVD in the country. Watford believes that only change can happen across the board, not just in the industry, but in the world, as well. Songs like “Yes, We Can” and “See You Smile” showcase the rapper’s maturity and wit, while “Paperboy” reflects life for a mover-and-shaker coming out of North Carolina.

With major co-signs from XXL, The Source and now the “World’s Most Dangerous Site,” AllHipHop – you can’t stop the “reign” of Rain and in this Breeding Ground exclusive, he explains why North Carolina is more than just “Raise Up,” how he can easily turn down a deal from Roc-A-Fella at age 15 and petitions for a hip hop committee’s board.

AllHipHop: It’s not everyday that people can take meetings with Jay-Z and Damon Dash at 15-years-old. How did that come about?

Rain: I was actually in New York, at the time, at a park and I was in a battle with a few other guys and there was this guy Quack-Quack. He was cool with Dame. He told me he liked how I rapped and, you know, I’m a kid – I didn’t really believe him. But the next morning, he called me and we went into the studio. O.G. Juan was running it at the time and he was in the studio checkin’ it out. They were hype about the music. Dame said it was hot and from that point on, I was in the studio. Shit was incredible, man, you had Jay in there and he was working on The Blueprint album when I was in there. I wasn’t on no paperwork, no contract or nothing, but they were trying to sharpen me up as a rapper. I went in there working – straight hit the ground running – type shit. It kind of fell off because they were trying to put me in the Lil’ Bow Wow lane, but I’m from the hood and him and I come from two different worlds; we’re two different people. I wasn’t trying to change just to be down with Roc-A-Fella. So, the relationship strained and I had to start from square one from there.

AllHipHop: So, why has it taken you so long to make an impact in the game?

Rain: I feel like it’s all about having perfect timing. A lot of rappers get that one song and they’re on top for just that year. That’s the difference between me and them. What I have been doing is trying to build up my story. I want people to understand me and rock with it because they like me as a person, instead of being attached to one single.

AllHipHop: It’s not because North Carolina isn’t hot anymore since Petey Pablo and Little Brother came out?

Rain: Them dudes did their thing. Right now, North Carolina is an untapped market. Petey Pablo did his thing, he had that one record and it was the one people attached his name to. “Raise Up” was a hot song; he just wasn’t able to carry it any further. Me, I’m the poster child of an emcee. I’m how a North Carolina n***a moves and makes music. As far as Little Brother, they make wonderful music, I’m a fan, but they’re not talking that shit that n****s want to hear. The streets don’t really get fed off of Little Brother. It doesn’t have anything to do with North Carolina not being hot; it’s just an untapped market that needs to be resourced to its fullest potential.

AllHipHop: Everyone is taking an interest in politics since Obama made a considerable shot to be the president. Your song, “Yes, We Can,” paints the picture of a unique America. Have times truly changed for everyone?

Rain: Not yet! [Laughs] When we get Obama in office, hopefully they can run this one right. Bush is still in office and until we get that new guy, it’ll be the same things poppin’. I’m not really into politics, but Obama will be a great president. I wanted to tell the truth in that song. I got friends locked up in the prison system and nobody cares about them. You have people who are going to high school and they’re more worried about how they’re dressed than getting an education. The teachers are weak and where’s this money going to help strengthen the people who need it. We need somebody new in office. He’s not going to be able to change this on his own, but I think together we can do anything. Right now, the climate is hot. Those guys, those cops… they got away with murder after killing Sean Bell. We need to do something about it. If you care about your situation, then stuff like this, killing another black man, shouldn’t be going down this way. It’s more startling that nobody is really caring about it. Rappers don’t care, that’s why they’re still rapping about bullshit. Put something on your album that opens up the people’s eyes. 95% of the rappers out there are ignorant. They think so limited and that affects us too. My father was locked up and my mother was working too jobs, I was raised by music. I was able to learn from that. I can’t even think about how I would be raised up as a shorty if I had to listen to the music that’s out now. All you have to do is be true to yourself and the people around you.

AllHipHop: The game has changed since you were in those offices at Roc-A-Fella. Now, viral marketing is the way to get on. As someone who’s been in it since a young age – do you believe that things are better this way or worst because it’s opened it up for everyone?

Rain: It kind of goes both ways. It’s like the people – where I’m from – there aren’t any opportunities. In New York, you can be in front of the Def Jam building in 10 minutes. When I was 16, I packed up everything in a trash bag, and really tried to make it happen. People now can just focus on their craft, at home, and put it on MySpace. That’s the thing that bothers me. If you don’t have passion for this wherever you’re at is not going to hide that fact. There should be a hip hop board that decides on who gets in and who doesn’t. Who’s in power?! Who’s letting these guys in! We need KRS-One to be the chairman. They’ll let anyone in the game. This is what the young n****s are growing up listening to. So, that ends up being their mindstate. I grew up on Nas, Rakim, Kool G. Rap and they were really saying some shit. The n****s Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz, they used the Internet to take advantage of their situation and I like that. They rep themselves and wasn’t being funny style with it. I respect that a lot. The regular college, high school guys who are playing around and getting deals, it needs to stop. The guys like Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri, Diddy – they don’t care anymore. They’re rich and that’s bullshit how they don’t put anyone else on. N****s in that position are supposed to be pulling n****s cards now. Hip-hop is our home and they’re letting people jump on their couch – Rick James style [laughs]. That’s some bougie bullshit. Quote me on that!

AllHipHop: One of the ways that you’re doing that is through your association with Don Cannon. Now, Cannon can cook up a beat or two, too – how has that been working with him?

Rain: Cannon, man, he’s a smart guy. He loves real music. You can sense that without even having a conversation with the guy. When you listen to his work, you can hear it. When I re-met him at the Apollo for this award show and I had a song called “Supafreak.” I had leaked the song because I had the Jay-Z beat before it was out on Kingdom Come. Cannon heard it and went crazy and after that, we did a tape together. Cannon is a monster, I respect his grind. He loves this music shit. I was just reading an interview with him the other day where he was listening to all these old doo-wop tapes and that’s why I respect certain cats, because they study the music all across the board. Cannon will be there whenever I need him and vice versa for anything ever needed!

AllHipHop: Who else are you working with for your projects?

Rain: I’m working Nottz. He’s one of those dudes who always has that ill album cut. His most recent shit was that “Barry Bonds” joint. I’m working with The Heatmakerz, man… they always come through. Sean C and LV – you know they did most of the American Gangster album. My boy Jimmy Kendrix, he does work with G-Unit, the boy is incredible. He goes in. Whenever I see him, he’s singing, playing the piano, all that – he’s a real talented dude.
 
AllHipHop: You didn’t write “See You Smile” for Megan Good, did you [laughs]…?

Rain: I’m a single man, so when I wrote that song, I had to put Megan in my head. I had to picture what I would say to her. You have to use inspiration.

AllHipHop: Well, it seems that people are only together with one another for convenience, anyways. So, do rappers believe they can get that Jay-Z/Beyoncé type love?

Rain: I feel like if I find it out, I can. You got to find it before you really take off. Even your friends, you got to pick ‘em now… Once you start moving, it’ll get crazy, so keep in mind that anything is possible, but you have to have that circle around you.
 
AllHipHop: With it being super hot out, the BBQ’s gotta be flowing out there in North Carolina. You have a few that you do for the community, right?

Rain: This is the spot to be at. It’s wonderful. The women are out in the streets, looking good. They got they shorts on with the tank tops, tied up. You got the good cooking. It’s popping. They got the 26’s on the old school Chevy’s. But the stuff that we do for the community isn’t just BBQ’s. We do different types of parties, bowling, all that. It’s all for the community. Everybody has their own thing though. It’s a different feel.

AllHipHop: Maybe you should invite Jimmy Iovine to one of them?

Rain: I wish he would come through, man. Once they fall in love with your lifestyle, the rest is easy. It’s always been like that. Remember back in the day, with N.W.A., you believed that they were gangsters and you loved the music after that. You believed Jay-Z, DMX and them as saying that “I’m the realest, most-honest person and I speak my mind.” Fuck media training, it’s about being genuine and honest.
 
AllHipHop: Your mixtape is going to set up the album, right, so who else is on it – features/producers?

Rain: The mixtape isn’t finished yet. American Dreamin’ dropping on the Fourth of July. This is my most powerful project ever. ’08 is over after this. I’m a young guy, I’m only 20, so after this drops, it’s going to raise the bar that much higher. I got work from The Heatmakerz, Jimmy Kendrix, no rapper features except for my buys; the guys who are rockin’ with me. I tried to reach out to a few people, but nothing came out of it, they know who they are… Sorry they missed out!

Rain's Myspace page is www.Myspace.com/Rain910