DC City Limitz: SHATiFF

"Move Somethin"

By Mila La' Angel

There comes a time in Hip-Hop when a new movement, sound or message is the only answer to the cries of un-stimulated consumers. What's the remedy to beats with no content, rhymes with no artistry, Hip-Hop with no purpose and emcee's with no morals? DC-based rapper Shatiff, the self proclaimed leader of the "Neo-Righteous Movement", professes to not only have the answer, but to be the answer. Being that all is fair in love and Hip-Hop, we'll let you (yes you) be the judge. Wanna let him know? Google him.

Streetz (S): Why did you choose to rap under the name Shatiff?

Shatiff: It is the equivalent to my given name Steven in Arabic. It means brave warrior of leadership and it defines my perspective not only in music but in business and life as well.

S: How would you describe your style?

Shatiff: Neo-Righteous; The next chapter in Hip-Hop. She's grown from political rap, to gangsta rap, to hustling, and now is the time for the Neo-Righteous movement, the sound of the wise emcee.

S: What makes a Neo-righteous artist different from a conscious artist?

Shatiff: Every time a conscious artist steps on the mic they have to address a political issue or their artistry is saturated with concepts and dialect that don't reach the masses. The Neo-Righteous artist steps outside of that box and finds the perfect balance between consciousness and street poetry.

S: What do you think about the current state of Hip-Hop?

Shatiff: From my perspective, the current state of Hip-Hop is in a good position because it leaves me a clear lane to do what I do. It is void of everything my artistry encompasses.

S: Talk about your Neo-Righteous movement.

Shatiff: The Neo-Righteous movement is the lifestyle of the wise. It is where the emcee takes responsibility for their lyrics and their message. They take an active position in their community. It's a movement that is not driven by fame, but for the pure love or art.

S: What can we expect from Shatiff in the near future?

Shatiff: A performance in a city near you.

S: How do you balance being an artist and an emcee?

Shatiff: I Stay on my grind, but I don't rush my art.

S: What do you think about Nas' latest album "N*gger"?

Shatiff: Just like people use big business as a marketing scheme, Nas is using a social plague as a marketing scheme.

S: What is your favorite line or song from your latest street album …And Now Me?

Shatiff: It's in my literary piece, "The Chronicles".

[starts rapping]

"…Hip-Hop ain't dead she just flip flop'in beds, she's still the documentary to young black men who get rich or die trying"

S: What makes you different?

Shatiff: I was raised in two of the most un-represented states in Hip Hop- DC, a metropolis and [South Carolina], the country. It gives me an eclectic perspective on things that you'll pick up when you listen to my music.

S: Being that your from DC, you expected to hear a go-go feel in you music, but you don't. Why is that?

Shatiff: To show and prove that an artist from DC can make music without relying on go-go beats or the go-go movement.

S: How has growing up between S.C. and DC influenced your music?

Shatiff: Growing up in DC made me be a person that depicts the latest because DC is where the trends are made. SC made me a humble militant. I'm not afraid of hard work.