RAIN

Rain is a necessity, we may like it, we may not, but at the end of the day it is required to encourage growth, it provides nourishment and often after rain comes sun. Randy ‘Rain’ Watford is the personification of a celebrity in the making, not just because he provides the thirsty hip-hop fan with something to satiate their thirst, but because at just twenty-two years young he displays true understanding of two key elements a person needs to possess to get a head start in the ‘game’; focus and drive.

Born and raised in the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina, he emanates knowledge so rare for someone so young in years. Rain has stories to tell and having been exposed to icons such as Kool G Rap and legends like Rakim, Rain took his views and ideas to paper at the age of thirteen, determined to be a significant person for the youth of the present and the struggles and obstacles they face. Rain wants to be recognized for going against the grain as opposed to jumping on the same bus as the rest in their fight to secure a mainstream existence, “Whatever is going on in the industry, I am going to do the opposite.” He thrives on creativity; he flourishes on originality but his mind is focused on making songs and hits as opposed to being considered nothing more than a ‘walking notebook.’

While pursuing his goals, Rain began creating a name for himself through numerous mixtape appearances, freestyle battles, and hip hop shows throughout New York. He wants to send messages in his lyrics, but as he quickly states, “I am not starting a revolution, but I am going to try and clear things up.” Just like his name, he goes over the umbrella as opposed to being under it and labeled to just one type of rap.  In early 2006, Rain released his first major mixtape “Only In America.”  This mixtape created a huge buzz in the Carolina states, and all the way up the east coast.  Instantly, Rain became the talk of the industry and the streets to be the next unsigned rapper to make an impact in the music industry.  With the mixtape heating up the streets Rain continued to keep his name buzzing by releasing over 100 freestyles and songs that would be featured on over 100 national mixtapes. In the fall of 2006, Rain teamed up with the Heavy Weight Hip Hop website www.hiphopgame.com to release his “Another Day, Another Dollar” mixtape online.  By the end of 2006, every major and independent record company imaginable had called to arrange and make offers to add Rain to their roster.  Rain noticed the climate of the industry and noticed the deals that the labels were giving new artists, so Rain made one of the biggest business decisions of his life and started his own company “First in Flight Entertainment.,” in representation of his home state North Carolina.

Rain’s never-ending street buzz and consistent grind landed him a feature on SMACK DVD Vol. 13, the #1 street DVD in the country, as well appearances in the XXL Show & Prove section, Ozone, MTV’s TRL, BET and more.  Rain’s most personal feature to date came in the beginning of 2008 when he received the Source Magazines most honorable feature of “Unsigned Hype” in their February 2008 issue. This feature landed him in raps elite category of unsigned of unsigned MC’s to receive this accolade such as Eminem, Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, Big Pun, etc.

Now Rain is not only an artist, but he’s a CEO.  With the mentality and drive of a boss, Rain strives for excellence through his music and his life. With this perception and maturity, Rain plans on bringing a new lease of life to a somewhat regurgitated mainstream, through thought provoking relatable lyrics backed up by beats from some of the games hottest producers, such as Rocwilder, Nottz, Street Fabulous, The Heatmakerz and so on. He is a prime example of an emcee taking control of a track as opposed to the track taking control of the emcee; a common happening in today’s music.

So both figuratively and literally there really is no escaping Rain, we can just keep our eyes open and ears to the ground because when it ‘Rains’ it will pour and there will be a new growth, a very unique one which people will have no other option than to take note of.

Rain and his First in Flight Entertainment imprint signed a distribution deal with Hoopla Media Group in early 2010. Shortly after Rain drops his next mixtape hosted by DJ Don Cannon in April, Rain will release his first retail project through First in Flight/Hoopla/Universal and his debut album, “Life in Marvelous Times” in June