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Artist Interview// Harlem rapper Rah the Broker fresh out of jail

Chris R.
Dec 11, 2016
3 min read

Location: Harlem, NY. The East Coast has been a major producer of legendary Hip Hop artists'. The Hip-Hop culture remains intact around the neighborhoods of New York and the aspiration to one day become great artists like Nas, Notorious B.I.G, Big Pun, Big L, Jay Z, and Puff Daddy keeps the dream alive. There is no doubt that talent, ambition, and dedication can be found within these neighborhoods. It seems to be that the lifestyle people in these neighborhoods are exposed to can be turned into amazing songs and stories. From freestyle battles to rocking underground rap shows, rappers will paint you a picture of what their daily life is like through their music, like Harlem rapper Rashid Cooper, known as Rah the Broker.

Born in Long Island, NY and raised in Harlem, he has adopted the rap flow that will paint you a vivid picture of what his daily life is like and what he's about. His song "Better than Before" off his recent album "Chip On My Shoulder", produced by highly recognized producer Da Inphamus Amadeuz is a clear example. As he mentions in this interview, after being released from prison after 6 1/2 years, he was inspired to go into the studio and record the song he wrote in 30 minutes. Today, this song has become widely recognized around the New York underground and is a favorite amongst listeners.

I took the time to interview Rah the Broker and asked him a few questions on his background, current and upcoming projects, as well as who he would work with if given the opportunity. Enjoy the interview!

Tell us about yourself. Any interesting story that contributed to you pursuing a music career?

My name is Rah the Broker, I was born in Long Island and raised in Harlem, NY. I became interested in pursuing my music career at 15 years old. My older cousin Sai told me to learn to write songs, three 16's and a hook. I learned how to do so and the rest is history.

What style of music do you make? And who/ what influenced you?

I'm all Hip-Hop with a little bit of everything from soulful sounds, boom bap, to trap music and R&B. I was mostly influenced by my older cousin/ uncle Keith Murray, my uncle Farooq, my cousin Devon, my Mother and Father, and basically my environment was always the Hip-Hop scene.

Interesting. Your song "Better than Before" has become a favorite amongst listeners around the country. How did you come up with the song?

My big brother's Inphamus Amadeuz sent me the beat. I was living with my aunt Fatima sitting at her kitchen table and I penned Better than B4 in like 30 minutes. I just came home from prison after 6 1/2 years and I just felt like I was better than I was before I went in.

That is amazing. You came out and dropped some real shit on that beat G. You just recently released a new project, can you briefly tell us how it is that you came up with the songs/album? Was it something you saw, heard, or spontaneously came up with in the studio?

I came up with the title "Chip On My Shoulder" as a message expressing my drive and hunger to get back to the level that I was at before I went to prison. The "Chip On My Shoulder" is my motivation to succeed despite my minor setbacks.

Are there any other projects coming up for 2017, or in the future?

Yes of course, but right now I'm caught up with the title of the project and the point I want to get across. But, one thing for sure is that I'm going to tell a story and I want it to be better than "Chip On My Shoulder".

If you could work with anyone dead or alive, who would you choose to work with?

If I could work with all the Bigs (L, Pun, Bigige) and 2pac, Eminem, Pusha T, J. Cole, Kendrick, Meek Mill, Nas, Jay Z, Dave East, Juelz, and everybody who is nice.

Nice choice of aritsts' haha! Any additional information you would like to let us, your listeners, and artists know, that we did not ask?

Yeah, be on the lookout for my hit single Trap Profit video coming soon beginning of the 1st quarter. I'm leaning on going on tour around the country, just getting the paper work right and just know that,

as long as I'm alive and well, I will be putting on for my city.

Long Live Harlem!!!

Keep an eye out for Rah the Broker, his perseverance, dedication, ambition, and talent are the ingredients to success. Stay connected with him on Instagram, SoundCloud, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.