I had the chance to interview Razah a young upcoming and very proud Jamaican artist newly signed to Jay-Z, def jam. He has been working extra hard to reach where is now, down to Earth. He reminds me of young R. Kelly, wanting people to feel his music to your soul, a vibrant voice accompanied with Jamaican type of energy on stage and pure content for lyrics. Similar to how R. Kelly used to be. I really related to him, me having Jamaican Heritage with a single mother and wanting to make her proud. Razah had Jay-Z opened the door for him and hopefully wont loose touch of reality when he becomes bigger. The interview was cut short cause we were running out of time, some part were removed or even not understandable because of we were having connection problem so i hope you enjoy reading same way i enjoyed talking to him.

(Razah) Hey This is Razah

(MK) How You Doing?

(Razah) I'm aiight Still Breathing

(MK) Just before i start the interview I'll have to tell you that Your plan on sounding and making different music then what's out there definitely worked out.

(Razah) Thanks

(MK) How long have you been singing?

(Razah) I started at about 11.

(MK) What made you want to pursuit a Singing career?

(Razah) It's the only thing i ever wanted.I've been listening to Beres Hammond and Michael Jackson , you know the R. Kelly and stuff like that. it was my inspiration by the music they made. It Got Me thinking that i can do it you know what I'm saying.

(MK) how did you come up with your nick name?

(Razah) I got the name when i was 8-9 years old cause i was really into clothing stuff like that. Everything had to match, my sneakers had to match,my shirt,jeans had to match my hat had to match, my jacket so everybody used to say I'm sharp like a razor That's where the nick name came from so everybody used to call me lil razor cause i was always into my clothes you know SO i used it and spelled it a little different.

(MK) i was reading in your bio That you mostly sing emotional songs why
did you choose emotional and not i quote from your bio "the ragamuffin-style"?

(Razah) Because You know why emotional cause no one doing that anymore
everybody, all the record that are coming out now singers coming out with cursing in their records degrading women and like craziness so i just wanted Touch that nerves that haven't been touched in a while there's a nerve, i think there's nerves that people have.I think the only person really touching them right now is Alicia keys. Like she touches that nerve with the soul emotional, i can feel it that's why i want people to feel my music when they hear it, not just listen to it and say oh yeah i like this song. I want people to like hit a nerve, touch that nerve when they hear my music.

(MK) I noticed you talk a lot about being from Jamaica not a lot of artist really talk about their roots what makes it so important for you for the world to know you are Jamaican?

(Razah) i mean number one I wanna big up my country you know number two i think it's going to separate me from a lot of the R&B cats,that's out you know what I'm saying.it's gonna separate from a lot of the guys out now singing, that I'm Jamaican you know what I'm saying furthermore you know That's my country, i was born there,i live there for 4 years and i used to go back every summer i wanna big up my country, my island.

(MK) Would You say that Being Jamaican actually helps you to perform on stage? we all know Jamaican artists knows how to live up a stage, like elephant man and them?

(Razah) Yeah exactly it's a different taste, you know what I'm saying I think it definitely helps you do that Jamaican swag. you know the energy the whole being Jamaican thing, it's surprising, lot of island people in America, like i got to a little state somewhere and be like is there any people from the Caribbean and half the club is Caribbean,but not just Jamaica but St-Vincent, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad you know.

(MK) In your song Rain You Ask for god to give you a sign, are you religious or was it more like any of us habit to ask god?

(Razah) I believe in God, You know my mother raised me to go to church, she used to make me go to church every Sunday, My mother is still into that church I was raised in church so that's why i believe in the real clean music. i want mother to be able to listen to my album i don't want to be embarrassed to play the cd for her, my songs, if i do a Video i don't want to have those butt naked girls in the video that's crazy i do believe there is a God tho.

(MK) So what sets you apart from all these new artist trying to come out today, Like Sean Kingston's and all these new acts?

(Razah) For one i write all my songs, that's the number one. number two I'm a Jamaican saying that I'm Jamaican even Sean Kingston says he's Jamaican but i was actually born there I think it actually puts me in the same category with the Ne-Yo and things but that's not a bad category either there's a lot of good R&B singers out but were the only one who writes their own lyrics. The main thing I'm writing and I'm Jamaican.

(MK) Most artist says they write their lyrics towards what they've experienced in life is it
your case?

(Razah) Oh Yeah that's definitely my case. Like rain, there was a long time ago
i was in a relationship it turned out you know other then that on my album there's a song called dear dad talking about not knowing my dad not having a dad around, being from Brooklyn young girls with kids. i write about whatever
I have a song on my album about runaway, about girls runawaying I write about things that I've seen not just experienced myself. You Know the truth.
That's what i think writing is you can't mix stuff off. People gotta think it's real you know. i write about real things.

(MK) Besides what you go through what else inspires you Like example you're eating a kind of food and it inspires you
to write about it.

(RAZAH)*laugh* Yeah that. i can make up a song about anything but it's like i won't put it out there but the simple thing
can inspire a song it might not be a hot song I'll do it.

(MK) Do you think by using less experienced producers that it might limit the success of your songs, cause a lot
of people picks up albums because of certain producers?

(RAZAH) That's true too but i don't really think that affects an album sales, i think The people wants some good music. Like it doesn't matter who produces it. I don't think it's going to matter that a music guy like "Rykeyz" did the rain records and everyone loves it Check 50 cents album he didn't have any major producer, Dr dre produced some but that was it.
I think it's all about giving good music.

(MK) The moment that brought you to get signed to def jam was linked to Rihanna Remixing your track. Do you think that now is the time where record labels are turning to the Caribbean to look for talent? or do you mostly think it was you being at the right place at the right moment?

(RAZAH) I think it was being at the right place at the right time and area cause you know it was a lot of hard work. We have been to Radio station, it's been playing on hot 97 and all Then i get a phone call from Rihanna saying she wanting to be on the record. It was a lot of hard work
IT was just good time you know. I leave everything in God's hands.that was a part of his plan. For Rihanna wanting to be a part of record then Jay-z walks in.

(MK) I bet Meeting Jay-z was a dream come true and most people have no idea how they going to react. How did you react when you actually met him what was going through your mind at that time?

(RAZAH) You know what tho cause it happened so quick i was like in the moment cause at the time he walked in the studio Rhianna was in the booth singing the song and i like helping her out with the words you know So it didn't hit me when he walked in oh Jay-z wassup couple words how you doing and that was it i never really at at the time. Rihanna was on record
i didn't know i was going to end up signing. I didn't know then Jay-z came you know. I was really focus on getting Rihanna on that record That was Big. I didn't have a deal and I'm having Rihanna on the record? That was a dream. it was actually the second time i met jay-z but after i really got to talk to him you know and i was like wow when i actually signed that's when it really kicked in.

(MK) you said you record a song "Dear Dad" since never knew your dad What are you talking about in the track?

(RAZAH) It's like a letter, like why,like you know why weren't you there for me you know what I'm saying. it's just to get it out of my system. Why did you leave.

(MK) Same question I've been asking for 23 years.

(RAZAH) just to show you a lot more people out there thinking the with the same question like why what happened I'm not mad about it or anything.

(MK) Would you say being raised by only your hardworking mom might have made you an even better singer? since you probably seen a lot more then some of your fans never seen?

(RAZAH) Answer coming up

(MK) Is there a song dedicated to your mother ?

(RAZAH)Yeah It's Called Feels So Good. *sings* feels so good.

(MK) Besides Rihanna is there any other features ?

(RAZAH) There's this artist signed over there at mercury record
i really want the album to be about me maybe a remix of rain and put a rapper on it. i don't want people to pick the album cause of this rapper. I want to pick up the album cause of me you know.

(MK) how did you picked the title "Razah", is it because this record is so personal to you?

(RAZAH) I actually def jam actually picked that title Rashana, I did pick a different title,they were just like the name Razah is just so unique, u know with a name like Razah you'de think it's a rap or some

(RAZAH) Let me ask you a question What would you think Razah would be? what's the first thing you think when you heard Razah.

(MK) Another stunners, about cars, Girls you know a typical rapper really.

(RAZAH) yeah like a rapper that's why used that name, what is this about. when you hear the song you're like wow. So yeah def jam picked it.

(MK) Apart from your love for your mother are there any other factors which driven you to take up the RNB genre?

(RAZAH)I just did it you know. I thought i was good at it. i used to rap before and then it's like it wasn't the greatest I started singing then people started liking it and all i was like ok maybe i can do it. i just did it. And it's very exciting moment for me right now.

(MK) Do You have any dates for the album?

(RAZAH) March 18th

(MK) I Didn't see any Live appearances or even tour Date on your Myspace Do you have any yet?

(RAZAH) Actually i start promo for February 6th or something, going across the country, going to the radio definitely trying a tour perhaps in march or something. Doing a lot of promo you know how we do,
radios.

(MK) What's A Typical Day In Your Life besides singing?

(RAZAH) when i don't have to work do music i do anything chilling. a typical day waking up doing anything photo shoot here and there, go to the studio. i'm pretty much i don't like partying I'm a homebody, watch the news Cnn, I'm just like a regular dude like going to the movies. I don't like
the excitement of parties i ain't into that.

(MK) Any Words for all your fans out there?

(RAZAH) March 18th pick up the album you won't be disappointed, I love you if you love me.I love you if you hate me.


(MK) Right before we end the interview i wanted to let you know.i Run a Jamaican Community and We support you to the fullest.



Check out His Video here : http://www.dancehallareaz.com/forum/...ain-video.html

Check out His Single Audio : http://www.dancehallareaz.com/media/...ere-audio.html