Rising Stars: Meet Darren Collins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Collins. 

Hi Darren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My story is pretty much about an artist that never quit on himself. I took being a recording artist seriously after I left college in 1995. I picked up two jobs to save money for recording. It’s not the conventional story. My nephews (Stacy P and AMD) and a couple of best friends (Uncle Richh and Stacy Dubb) at the time were writing raps. They were awesome at it. I knew they had what it took to be huge, so I started writing raps a few years prior. They were all lyrically superior. I knew that these guys had the talent, I had the drive, and was a peoples person, so I had to make sure I was decent enough as an artist to blend in with them artistically. We formed a rap group entitled THE BLACKH.O.O.D.S. We recorded our very first song in a professional studio not long after entitled “Cash Got Me Sprung” at Pup Dog Studios with pioneer producer O.G. Groove. We went on to do some shows and record more songs. It was an exciting time for all of us. Sometime later on our journey, Uncle Richh enlisted in the military to better his situation. Richh was the first out of the group to become a young father, so we all understood. It was dangerous in the city at that time, and we were in those streets heavy doing more shit than some marines. The group and I continued recording music simply trying to find our footing. Ultimately, I started doing music solo and recorded under the stage name RIDAH. Life happens, and all of the group members had to do what was best for them. We were becoming fathers during those times, had jobs, and were trying to find a balance in our lives. Most of us grew up without fathers, so we had to learn on the spot. 

I went on to record my first solo underground project entitled “BLACK TUESDAY” (The Day The Game Stood Still) that was produced by a local producer named Fink. One of my best friends Mike Dawg 2020, introduced me to him. I also got to record a track entitled “STILL STANDING” with another pioneer producer/engineer Chris Davis for that project. I was going through a divorce at that time and then moved to Atlanta once my divorce was final. I only pressed up 1,000 copies of that album. That album was spread throughout the streets of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Atlanta, Georgia. I was still learning the music business, and I was still trying to figure out who I was as an artist. Atlanta was the biggest learning experience and allowed me to see the hip-hop culture up close. I was fortunate to meet people and experience things that I wouldn’t have gotten to experience in Little Rock. I would also learn about the shady part of the music business there. I went to a lot of labels out there. During those times, artist could present unsolicited music without a lawyer. I was offered a recording contract from a record label that I won’t mention. I was smart enough to have a lawyer read the contract, explain to me what was in the contract, and then ‘red line’ the contract. I sent the ‘red lined’ contract back to the label, and I never heard from them again because it was a shitty contract. 

It was during my time in Georgia that I found and reconnected with one of my best friends/former group member Uncle Richh. I would spend time between Atlanta and Macon, Georgia writing and recording music with Richh. After a few years there, I returned to Little Rock to continue working on my craft and to also figure out what was next for me. 

Fast forward a bit, Stacy P and I joined some homeboys from the side of town that we were from in forming a group entitled SUITED -N- BOOTED. We all went on to record some dope projects and did some great things as a group. We put on for the city in a major way. I learned so much during this time. We traveled and did a lot of shows along with meeting a lot of great people. Ultimately, I left the group for personal reasons. I continued on recording music under the name THE RIDAH G.O.D. I went on to release some mixtapes along with a few underground projects. 

In 2014, I began recording at Ferocious Productions Studio with pioneer engineer/producer Dondrae Vinson (Ferocious) in Little Rock. It was like started completely over creatively. It was during this time that I started finding my ‘voice’ in what I wanted to say… how I wanted to use my platform. During two years of recording and mixing at Ferocious’ Studio, I decided to put out a project entitled “STREET PREACHER.” This project didn’t have any profanity. I released it digitally and only pressed up 1,000 copies. I dropped something clean for older people to enjoy that liked what I was doing. I was still finding myself as an artist due to spiritual experiences that were happening in my life. STREET PREACHER was a quick testimony speaking from that standpoint. I continued writing and recording searching for the perfect balance in being true to myself as an individual and as an artist. That brings me to July 2022 in releasing “ARKALIEN KING” digitally. Other than BLACK TUESDAY, this project… felt right. It felt like after all of these years of searching; I finally started to figure it all out. This project is the beginning of the next stage of what I wish to use my platform for. ARKALIEN KING feels like my first-ever project. I never planned to be a solo artist because I’ve always had a ‘group’ mentality… That’s how I got my start. It took a lot of time and patience to get comfortable recording as a solo artist. Working with Ferocious was the first time that I got to spend a lot of time working with one engineer. It was huge for me. This of course is the sped-up version of this journey but those that love being an artist can definitely relate. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
That’s a great question! I would like to use this answer to speak on the obstacles and challenges that I’ve faced and to also use this answer in hoping that somebody reading this will get something from it. This road has been far from smooth. To set the tone, remember I’m from Little Rock, Arkansas. To be an artist from Little Rock, Arkansas… You have to have thick skin, be driven, passionate about being an artist and you MUST believe in YOU. It’s 2022 and Arkansas is JUST getting a crack in finally opening up this market from an industry standpoint. Before I continue, I want to salute Bankroll Freddie from being the first rap artist from the state to do what he is doing on a ‘mainstream’ level. He represents Arkansas to the fullest, and he provides an example for others to feel like they too can achieve success in hip hop on a larger scale if that’s the route that they choose. 

To answer your question, it’s been a long road for me. Knowing what I know now at this young age of 48, there are things that I can’t or won’t do as an artist. Where I’m from, I chose to walk the straight path as an artist. What that means is that I always had to have a 9 to 5 or two to financially back what I was doing such as recording, mixing, mastering, album artwork, merchandise, promotion (online and streets), music videos, publishing, copyrights, trademarks and the list goes on. It gets rough when it’s only you. Some are fortunate to have somebody behind them providing financial support. I’ve never had that. I also made a lot of mistakes that I had to learn from. Some of those mistakes proved costly but was never able to take me under. I was always able to bounce back. I could’ve done illegal things to get ahead of where I am now, but the price was too high to pay. I have responsibilities. That’s not a knock to those that have. To each its own. No hate or judgement from me. To be true to what you stand on comes with adversity… positive or negative. I started in the 90s when the internet wasn’t popping. Slanging CDs hand to hand, getting co-signments in local record stores, passing out flyers, traveling, etc. Now, you have social media and such as well. It’s a blessing to be able to know both sides in getting your music out to the public… with social media and without social media. You simply have to merge the options and find the balance to make it all work for you. 

To be an artist is not for everyone. Being where I’m from, a lot of people don’t take you serious because you don’t have the instant success. This is a market that has been looked over for too long… almost as if it was blackballed in some way. So, to consider yourself as a serious artist around here, you get disrespected a lot. What I mean is that you gotta have support in the area and not just from supporters/fans but from local radio, local DJs, local venues, local publications, etc. Compared to other markets near this area like Atlanta, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, etc… there’s outlets and resources in those places… Little Rock never had that in terms of consistently supporting its own. It was always said that you should leave from here and make it happen elsewhere as an artist. What I’ve learned is that if you wanna do it the slow way like working a job and paying for everything yourself, is that it takes time. A lot of time. People will give up on you, not believe in you or even not help you. You have to believe in yourself and have some type of vision in where you’re trying to go. Without vision or LOVE for what you’re doing, you will give up or quit. You have to understand what success looks like for YOU. Fighting off other’s definition of what success looks like for them when it comes to you can drain you if you don’t know ‘who’ you are as an artist. I’ve seen artist give up and quit where I’m from because of this. Hip Hop as a genre isn’t even 50 years old yet. It doesn’t matter how old you are, the only thing that matters is the music or art that you create. There is NO age limit or expiration date for emcees… That’s all bullshit. It’s a narrative that was perpetuated by people that don’t look like us. Hip Hop is SPECIAL and not like the other genres of music… it never will be. The genre is still evolving and morphing into what it can be. It will be whatever WE want it to be and NOT what those suits in the top floor of major labels want it to be. 

To be older in a genre of music such as hip hop is a blessing, but it took me years to understand that. Going through all of the group departures, taking losses that you can’t get back, witnessing too many people that you care about dying or walking away from you and never being financially secure as you wish to be are things that will make you or break you as an artist. It was a fight to get to this moment in now, but I feel that it ALL was God’s WILL. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m grateful for my struggle to be here. I know that I said a lot, but I hope that I answered your question. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a recording artist. That’s the simple definition of what I do. I’m most proud of the body of work that I just released entitled “ARKALIEN KING” that’s available on ALL streaming and downloading platforms. Check out my two new music videos that I released with the album entitled “BOBBY PORTIS” featuring King Larry Luckey and “QUEEN” featuring Nisha Ree & Mac Fresh. What sets me apart from others is that I’m myself. There is no other ‘me.’ My testimony is mines to share. At this stage of my hip hop journey, I’m known as a leader. I’m expected to act my age in rap. That means rapping as such also. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love my city because of its rich talent. Little Rock has it ALL from rappers, producers, singers, musicians, creatives, fashion creatives, stylists, bands and much more. It’s like a mecca of major talent that is about to explode onto the scene nationally and globally. It’s been decades in the making. Little Rock will be one of the greatest stories ever told. Write it down. The thing that I like least about Little Rock is the politics and deep-rooted racism that still haunts the city. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theridahgod.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/theridahgod
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theridahgodofficial
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/theridahgod
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/theridahgod
• SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/theridahgod
• Other: www.linktr.ee/theridahgod

Image Credits
Metrowest Media Artwork
April77 Creative