Perception is a tricky thing. How people actually are and how you see them usually don't run parallel. Is it because we sometimes are lazy, or do we just let human nature take over our better judgment? I sat down with Digs Darklighter to find out what he's all about. You can learn so much, if you just listen.

Humble Beginnings
"Graffiti and music come from the same vibe, they influence each other." Digs aka DigsDarklighter aka Dominick is an artist whose spark of the business and the art of Hip Hop started early. He was exposed to the Hip Hop culture throughout high school in the form of graffiti. From his high school roots and peers, the name Digs was formed. I'll save that story for another time. Just ask him about it, I'm sure he'll share it with you.

In 1994, Digs was in a group called Pots and Pans (I'm serious, that's what he told me!) with his roommate and friend Adam 12. Adam12 was the only guy that Digs knew who was rhyming at the time. When they dropped a record, Vanilla Ice was flopping, and the future for Caucasian rappers was bleak. From there, Digs was in a group called Dead Pigeons. In Dead Pigeons, Digs got frustrated with the direction the management team was taking them. They were doing little shows here and there in places that a fan base couldn't survive. Before long, Dead Pigeons faded away. Digs was putting out records himself. He believes in hard work and making everything happen through your own determination and drive. After Dead Pigeons, Digs decided to focus all of his attention on graffiti through his alter-ego Liquid. "Doing graffiti is fun, it helps me mold the music I make, and sparked something in me to continue rhyming." With his feet wet in graffiti and music, Digs fell into the groove of Arrakis Records. While performing one night, he met Paul aka PCP of Arrakis Records. Arrakis was awarded the 2001 PhillyHipHop.com Award for Indie Label Of The Year as the result of online voting. Label mates include Department of Rec, Briz, Uncle T, and Kenneth Masters. What intrigued him about PCP and Arrakis was the fact that they did things, not just talked, and in Philly we know that's rare. That is where the fairy tale resides.

If you never experience the lows, how will you enjoy the highs?
"I don't want this interview to be about drugs." Okay, Okay...but I did have to bring them up since Dig's has a Major Figgas parody called Yeah That's Dust, on Meddafore's Bang This mix tape. Digs clearly tells me time and time again how he doesn't recommend drugs at all. Imagine your dad just looking stern and giving you the speech. That's exactly how I felt talking to him about drugs. I am not going to go into it, because that would paint a picture that I don't want you to see. Digs had his share of lows with drugs. Whether he still does them now, is his business, but it's about the music, so convict him with that, not drugs, but he does not regret anything. "I don't blame anything on drugs."

Much of the courage that Digs possesses comes from the passing of his best friend who had cystic fibrosis. Whenever he knows that things are going be tough, he thinks of all his friend went through, and he feels positive and has an ounce of motivation to keep going.

Cover Charge
Digs is one of nine children and is still close to his parents. He and I discussed G.I. Joe quite a bit, as well as his love of cartoons, television and his dog, Jerome Brown. Digs credits Public Enemy as the first political voice of Hip Hop. "They were just rhyming about other things, and focused their anger in the right direction. They were a real voice and powerful." Although he mainly listens to Hip Hop, he can stand some good punk rock, which is hard to find. As far as Philly artists are concerned, Three Times Dope and The Roots are groups that he remembers being real visual and talented while growing up. "I remember The Roots used to always do everything themselves. They would sell their CD's at block parties in North Philly."
Currently Digs and his partner in uniqueness, Uncle T, have formed a close friendship. He has only known Uncle T for a year, but the collaborations they are working on are endless. Dig's upcoming single is called Spacewalking. On the release is also the Spacewalking remix with Briz and Breezevahflowin', Game 7 with Uncle T, as well as the full Philadelphian song, Aaron McKie. Besides his Arrakis crew, Digs credits 40th Dimension for their independence and talent, and Baby Blak for his nice vocab.
The advice he gives to others is, "Write as much as you can, practice, record, get money from somewhere to make your vision a reality, and build an audience."
Digs is one of the artists opening up for the High Times Tour and Naughty by Nature in a few weeks.
After our debate about how Digs swears he can't have kids (which I know he can, he's just talking ish), I realized that his thought patterns are in tune with the rest of the world, but the way he chooses to express them gets taken as arrogance and ignorance. He coaches basketball and claims to be pretty good on the court. Although, I didn't play one on one with him, I'm sure I can take him! He can't tie his own shoes, so all I have to do is step on one of his laces and he'd be stuck trying to tie them while I score! He insists he's only getting married if he can marry a robot. "Girls cause guys to be jerks, and guys cause girls to go crazy." Men and their commitment problems amaze me! HMPF!

If you've witnessed any Arrakis show, you'd know they are some hyper, active emcees. When performing, Digs is in his own world, but he invites you in. When asked about Digs, someone says, "He's shy. He knows what he wants to do. He's going to have a good time and hope the music sticks. The man has got talent, but he's a love or hate kind of dude. Well, I can't say I love Digs, and I can't say I hate him. I'm sure he doesn't care either way, but everyday to him is a great day. "Life's an event, you pay at the door."

Article by Deesha
May, 2002