Rapper Signif splits her time between New York and her native Milwaukee, and her music bears the stamp of both cities, blending classic New York hip-hop à la Gang Starr with smooth, Midwestern soul-rap. This year, she released her debut album, The Transition, which is available for free streaming and download at signif.bandcamp.com. Driven by Signif's laid-back, loquacious flow and colored with shades of Little Brother and Digable Planets, it's an assured, compulsively replayable effort, featuring contributions from Milwaukeeans Haz Solo, A. Prime and Prophetic. I caught up with Signif for a brief Q&A.
How did you start rapping?
I started writing poetry at a young age, which eventual turned into songs. I was always around music growing up, from watching my brothers freestyle and write lyrics, to my female cousin who was a rapper doing shows and battling. Music was something that was a part of my childhood that manifested into something I can never see myself parting with.
What brought you to New York?
Music is what brought me to New York. I was back and forth visiting between '04-'05 when I first started recording my music, and I was hooked. It got to the point where I was like I'm just going to move out there and see what happens. Several years later I did. A kid chasing a dream pretty much.
What do you think of the Milwaukee rap scene right now?
I'm not there 24/7 but I always keep my ear to the streets, and from what I hear the scene seems to be growing which is always a good sign. My roots are Milwaukee, so I want for more than anything for the city of Milwaukee to get the hip hop recognition it so rightfully deserves.
What kind of beats do you gravitate toward?
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My heart and soul will always be boom bap. I also love beats that have that story telling theme attached to them already, but I'm slowly opening up to different things. I definitely want to work with more live instruments when recording.
How does being a woman shape how you approach rap?
My approach to rap music is straight forward, but at the same time I put my womanhood first. Knowing I have nieces, and little cousins watching I'm careful on what I put out there. For me, it was a learning and growing process. When I was 19 the language was foul and aggressive, but once I started to grow and mature as an artist I became more comfortable in my own skin, and felt I didn't have to keep up with my male counterpart, everything started flowing naturally.
