In the fast-paced and often superficial world of hip hop, many argue that the thought-provoking talent of the 90s has been replaced with cookie-cutter “artists” who see one-hit wonder stardom as their ticket to success.  It’s hard to be excited about new rappers when we live in a rap saturated world, but when we heard about The Digit, (aka Seven Hughes) we had to take a closer look. First things first, Seven is his real name. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s on a mad-man mission to secure seven production deals in seven different cities in order to produce–you got it, seven EPs. It’s never been done, that’s for sure, and it’s a daunting task. So when the 6 foot tall brother with the raspy voice from Georgia walked into Starbucks and took a seat across from me, I wondered if I would be spending the next hour with a mad man or a genius.

Tell me about your name “Digit”, where does that come from?
Digit is a nickname that was given to me by Dot (the songstress on the hook of “Make it Reign”) about 10 years ago. I was managing her and she just came up with Digit and it stuck.

Tell me a little more about your background.
I was born in New York and raised in South Carolina. I’m a product of a single parent home because my parents were divorced at a young age. That caused some negative things in my life, but it also influenced some positive things. I was very creative. I started drawing at six and my mom kept a pen and crayons in my hand. We went from low-income housing to the suburbs and that’s where I learned about how to interact with different cultures. I hustled selling candy at schools to get money for shoes and clothes. At 11, I started a landscaping business and a few years later I started 7th Wonder, a graphic design business [when] I was 14.

How would you describe your lyrical style?
I’m a writer before I’m a rapper so a lot of my songs are methodically thought out. They all hold some type of key—some kind of message. The lyrics are full of creativity, sometimes a splash of humor. If I had to compare myself to other rappers, I would say I’m a combination of Slick Rick, Jay-Z, Eminem and Nas. I mean, you can hear each of those influences in my music, but of course, it’s with the Digit twist. It’s conscious music.

What do you hope fans will walk away with when they hear your music?
Finding that the peace within me also lies within them. I think everyone will be able to take a piece of the music. For instance take the song “Destiny,” everyone can relate to putting something aside for a while–a passion, and then being called back to that passion. With “Love Don’t Live Here,” there’s a lot of people in relationships right now and there’s no worth to the relationship.  There’s a lot of fussing and fighting and they want to leave, so this is an anthem for them. In this economy a lot of people feel overworked and underpaid, so “Raise” is an anthem for them. That’s what I make, anthems for people that speak to their lives.

So is it true that you were sitting in on a rehearsal for Jim Jones’ recent off-Broadway play, “The Life & Times of Jim Jones” and you were inspired by Jim to pursue seven record deals?
It actually is . . . I read that Jim secured two record deals and how much of a rarity it was. . So I thought about it and I thought I might not get the distribution that I want (yet) but I know with my skill set and with networking I could close seven production deals. The theme is THE CAMPAIGN and it’s a movement. I want seven deals in seven different cities with seven separate EPs. I’ve got four deals so far. Three signed, one on the table and I’m looking for three more.

So that gives you two months. That’s a very confident goal.
I’m a confident person.

What role does confidence play in pursuing a career in hip hop?
Hip hop is street blues. It’s grown folk music. The content of hip hop is for grown people. Now I realize that people want to sing along with music that’s talking about how rich someone is because they want to be rich. They want to sing along with songs that talk about lots of women because they want multitudes of women. So confidence plays a huge role in hip hop because it equals believability. It’s just like an actor—if an actor doesn’t even believe what he’s doing then the audience won’t either. So to be successful in hip hop, confidence is key.

Choose 4 words to describe your life’s journey?
Adventurous. Opportunity-filled. Challenging. Accomplished.

What else do you hope to accomplish by securing seven production deals?
When it’s all said and done I want to raise awareness. Right now I feel like the arts in schools aren’t funded. You hear about athletics but u don’t hear about the music. Music is what kids are influenced by and music helps to drive the economy. I mean, when was the last time you heard a commercial with no music? So I want to get signed, but I also want to raise awareness about the importance of music, especially in schools.

It’s great that you’re interested in community affairs. What else are you involved in?
I speak to high school students about the importance of entrepreneurship and staying grounded.

Is it true that you’re also involved with Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez’ foundation?
Yes. I promised the foundation a percentage of all earnings from my artistry.

How did you get involved with Left Eye’s foundation?
I was a very good friend of the family when Lisa passed away and I own a printing company (7th Wonder Travel) so I did a few things for her family when they needed graphics and printing. Ron Lopes (Left Eye’s brother) invited me on board with the foundation out of appreciation. My main role with the foundation is fundraising.

What causes do the foundation support and address?
We focus on neglected and abandoned children. We just built an orphanage over in Honduras in Lisa’s memory and honor. They have a medical center for the kids and a monument nearby that celebrates Lisa. The orphanage supports local Honduran children who’ve been abandoned. It’s called Hogar De Amor Children’s Home which means Children’s House of Love.

Are you involved in other entertainment?
I definitely do other things. I started acting again and recently did a commercial. I’m definitely plan to further that career as well. Wherever I can get in, I’m going to fit in.

Sex or Rock n’ Roll?
Rock n Roll because if your rock n’ roll is strong it’ll get you a lot of the sex.

Contact Digit and listen to his music at www.myspace.com/thedigit
For more information about the Lisa Lopes Foundation visit www.lisalopesfoundation.org

Images courtesy of: The Digit