THE REBEL LIFE
Rain the Quiet Storm starts ride with the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s protégés
Cleveland lyricist to drop Island/DefJam single July 15
By GEZUS ZAIRE
Rebel Life Media/www.ClevelandHipHop.net
Welcome to The Rebel Life on www.ClevelandHipHop.net. The Rebel Life is a rapid but in depth look at the people who contribute to the culture and art of hip-hop in the city of Cleveland. Every now and then we will have some outsiders from other cities who may be able to provide insight on how we can do things a little better as well. Our first interview features Cleveland’s own Rain the Quiet Storm.
A star of Cleveland-based rap motion picture “Rapland 216” Rain the Quiet Storm is now a member of the Brooklyn Zu’s Zu Bulliez. For those of you who don’t know the Brooklyn Zu is a part of the Wu-Tang Clan’s rich list of affiliates due to its connection with the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Rain the Quiet Storm is set to drop her first major digitally distributed single “Dangerous Game” on Island/DefJam. The official release party will be at Club Allure, 75 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, July 15.
Zaire: First off I want to wish you a happy birthday. Not only are you celebrating your birthday on July 15, you are also releasing a single on Island/DefJam. Give the people some insight.
Rain: Well, first, thanks for the happy b-day wishes. The single I’m releasing is a semi-familiar song titled “Dangerous Game.” The song is about the complications in relationships formed at the wrong time. The guy in the song is in a relationship and he is very much interested in his business partner. Though she knows it’s not a good idea, she still fantasizes about being with him mentally as well as physically.
Zaire: Great. Well on the business side of things, how was the digital distribution deal struck with Island/DefJam and what will be the benefits of it?
Rain: The connections that I have bridged with more established artists made it possible. It’s all about the professional relationships you build with others in music that will decide how successful you will be. I was just blessed to have my brothers in the Zu Bulliez behind me to make it possible. The main benefit is digital distribution, which means it will be available to the entire world. This means I will have a release that I can market to anyone anywhere.
Zaire: You have done something that only a handful of Ohioans have been able to do. The most well known Wu-Tang affiliates from Ohio were 4th Disciple, Berretta 9 and Shogun Assassin of Killarmy. You are now affiliated with Brooklyn Zu’s, offshoot Zu Bulliez. Inform Clevelanders about the crew that you are now working with.
Rain: The Brooklyn Zu’s, Zu Bulliez is headed by Lord Buddha Monk and includes Dungeon Master, Menace, Judah Priest, The H.U.R.T., Rest, Cash, and the Quiet Storm. These are my brothers, my fam, and we comin’ at you with a new movement. Buddha Monk wants to do something fresh with the Brooklyn Zu.
Peace to the Brooklyn Zu for the foundation. But we just want to make good hip hop and do high energy performances. If you never been to a show, it’s wild! I’m honored to have an association with such a legendary brand and the opportunities are endless. There are so many great producers and emcees. It’s really amazing.
Zaire: At one time, like many hip-hop fans in the 1990s you were a fan listening to cassettes and CDs of the WU-Tang Clan. To now be standing in the doorway of a hip-hop empire has to be a bit astounding when you think about it.
Rain: It is again an honor and very overwhelming to know that I have that stamp of approval as an emcee. Most emcees love wordplay and enjoy manipulating the English language to express views, experiences, etc. And I definitely do! So to be acknowledged, seems surreal.
Zaire: Unlike many artists in the city, you have not attempted a career in music out of desperation, imitation or for the need of attention. Give a word of advice to artists in the city who don’t seriously pursue education and financial responsibility.
Rain: I have pursued an education because of the parenting I’ve received during development and I came to realize personally how important it is. But one other thing I can say is, this music thing happens for you in its time and you don’t know when that is – or it may not even be for you. You have to make plans for a future. I think so many people don’t believe in the reality of a future, [instead they] worship the present! I think so many people have been through so much that they don’t want to see a future, and life is hard, but if you positively and strategically plan to make things happen – they do!
(This interview is the official property of Rebel Life Media and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)
