Return of the Real: Signif Makes Her Mark (Exclusive Interview) Posted by ThroatChopU on 12/11/10 | Filed under Features, Return of the Real, Signif

I don’t sing. I don’t rhyme. I can’t produce tracks. I’m often the only non-rapper in a room. But I’ve always had an ear for good music and because of that, folks have respected my honest opinion. I don’t hold back. I’m also a fan of music. I actually remember when that meant something. RefinedHype has given me the opportunity to showcase a dope artist weekly, someone who is on the rise that has caught my ear and that you should definitely check out. This is "Return of The Real". Chea!

Very few tell a story the way Signif does. And every time she rhymes, she’s herself. No gimmick. No false persona. Just Signif. And that’s what makes her dope. While many mainstream female emcees (and a few underground ones too) are over sexual and often very tacky, Signif delivers just the opposite. Her lyrics, impressive. Her flow, everlasting.

She stands apart from the pack. And that goes beyond gender.



Signif grew up in the 80’s. Many of her early memories include music from Marvin Gaye, Teddy P, James Brown and Luther. With such strong musical influences and a background in spoken word, the result is the sound that can be found on her ’09 EP "Beautifully Flawed" and her ’10 LP "Transition". And as long as Signif continues to pair her rhymes with fresh beats (with much of her production coming from up and coming producers) she’ll continue to have the winning combination that has made her successful so far.

In our interview, we talked about her upcoming project, her home (Milwaukee) and more.

Meet Signif.

ThroatChopU: It's a question I don't like to ask but one I often want to know from the female emcees I'm a fan of. With that said, how do you feel about the title femcee?

Signif: I have no problem with the title. I don’t look at it as a term used to separate the male emcees from the female emcees at all, because good music is good music. So I’m good with the term.

TCU: Listening to your music, you always bring a lot of who you are to create your sound. With that said, which one of your tracks best describes who you are as an emcee? And which one best describes who you are as a person?

Signif: “Drifting” would best describe me as an emcee in my element. “What Matters”, “Lovely Imperfections”, and “The Transition” all describe me as a person.

TCU: What do you want folks to take away from your music after hearing it?

Signif: I want the people to feel like they can relate to it, vibe to it, ride to it, and just enjoy it more than anything.

TCU: Word. I've always respected your personal attention to details in getting your music on various websites. As a female emcee do you find it hard to get people to listen to your music in a male dominated industry?

Signif: Of course, for any artist trying to get their music heard, it’s a battle – unless you’re co-signed, or whatever. But I always say “No crew, no co-sign, no features” I’m in the battlefield pretty much dolo right now. Most of the time, it’s about what you say and how you say it when dealing with certain people. Many of these sites get flooded with so much music, so of course some good things are going to be overlooked. I also believe in paying my dues, like anything else in life you have to work for it, and if you keep pushing in due time it will happen.

TCU: I agree with that. So, you're a Milwaukee native and a current NYC resident. In what ways have both places impacted the music you make?

Signif: I was raised in Milwaukee, so that’s where my first taste of everything came from including music. NY let’s you know there’s no half stepping, so you have to come with the goods. Before I moved to New York I had a meeting with one of the heads at SRC records, but that didn’t go as planned. That experience definitely had a lasting effect on the way I make music now.

TCU: As you know, I'm a fan of Milwaukee Hip-Hop. I first heard your music through some MKE folks. As a de-facto member of the MKE Hip-Hop scene, how do you think the scene is perceived outside of MKE?

Signif: As a whole the Milwaukee scene is not perceived outside of the city much and most of the artists are content with that. Like any other city it has potential, but you have to go and get it. Nothing’s going to fall into your lap, especially in a city that no one is checking when it comes to Hip-Hop. As much as I love my city, it is the reality.

TCU: So, who are some folks people should be checking for in MKE?

Signif: Haz Solo is someone you should definitely check for, fresh on the rhymes and beats. A Prime, Prophetic, and Tay Butler, just to name a few of the artists that I listen to from the city, that I feel make good music.



TCU: You're working on a few new projects. What are they and what's their completion status?

Signf: "Significant Wizdom" is up next. It’s an EP I put together with producer Gee Wiz. We’re looking at a December or January release. Darren Cole and I have some things in the works on the visual tip. From there I’m just going to keep creating new music if a project evolves great, if not it’ll come when it’s time.

TCU: We’ve talked a lot about your music but what are you listening to on your iPod/MP3 player?

Signif: I keep my iPod and iPhone on shuffle most of the time. I listen to so much good music that none of it should be ignored.

TCU: And last but not least, what's next?

Signif: The world! (laughs) More good tunes to come and more barriers to break down is what’s next.

For more from Signif, connect with her via Twitter and check out more music via her BandCamp.

For more from ThroatChopU, follow him on Twitter and check out TheMadBloggers.com.

And be sure to check out a dope track from Signig, "What Matters", below.