Q&A: Diggy Simmons

(Credit: Patrick Hoelck)

Diggy Simmons is part of one of hip-hop’s most legendary families. His father Joseph is Run-DMC’s Rev. Run; uncle Russell founded the Def Jam label. His pre-teen years were documented on television via the MTV reality show “Run’s House.”

Now a 16-year-old rapper who’s gaining respect for his own abilities, Simmons explains that he is aiming for longevity by making songs like his first single “Copy, Paste” for people of all ages—the same demographic that’s welcome on his current outing, BET’s annual “Scream Tour,” which also features boy-band Mindless Behavior, “Jerk” stars New Boyz and R&B singer Jacob Latimore.

Is the “Scream Tour” the longest tour you’ve been on?
Yeah, it’s my second tour. I did my first one ever this summer and all the dates were closer and more consecutive day by day. But because kids are in school, this one is going by weekends and then we have almost five days off. So it’s stretched out longer for sure.

That sounds pretty civilized, like maybe you get a chance to rest and take care of your voice?
Exactly. Take care of my voice. That’s the only thing I think is good about it, because I love to be on stage, so there would be times that I would be ripping my hair out at the days off like that.

And this way, might you actually get to see some of the places you go to?
For sure, yeah. [Last time] there were cities that I definitely wasn’t able to see. I would just go do radio, and then after the radio it’d be like me eating, then sound check, and then after sound check, I’d nap. And once I’d napped, we’d be getting ready to go to the show at night, and then we’d roll out after the show.

Did you ever spend any time on the road with Run-DMC?
Definitely. It’s kind of blurry to me, but the last tour I can remember with Run-DMC was the last tour they did before Jam Master Jay died. I went to Chicago, it was the Kid Rock/Run-DMC/Aerosmith tour, and I just remember being afraid of the pyro. That’s all I remember, really. But I do remember them being on stage and doing “Walk This Way” all together, which was really dope.

One thing that definitely inspires me about my dad the most is his stage presence. That’s one thing I take from him. I don’t study, like I won’t go on YouTube and study [videos]. I have a picture in my head and I just know the way he is from seeing him on tour even on the Kid Rock tour when he went by himself.

This being the “Scream Tour,” you probably have to be prepared for a whole lot of noise. Have you experienced wild behavior from your young fans, like them chasing you or screaming so loud you can’t hear?
Definitely crazy experiences like that, and I’ve seen a girl faint before on the last tour. [Laughs] It’s very flattering that they care so much, and I care as much as them. And even though they may come up to me and they’re crying and they’re really excited, inside of me, even though I may seem really collected, I’m freaking out at the fact that I have fans like this. It’s a big deal to me.

Are you interested in going back to television at some point?
Probably not reality television, but in the future if it’s a show or something, I’m not opposed. I’m focused on my music and I always will be. I want my career to have all the longevity in the world. But if it ever does happen, then hey, we’ll see.

Why would you be opposed to reality television?
I don’t care for showing my life. I don’t care for that.

How are you working to achieve longevity?
Being that my content is not kiddie, that’s definitely something that will make me have a transition, being that I’m 16 and I’m talking about stuff that everyone can relate to. That’s why I can’t wait and I am beyond anxious for my album to come out because it’s going to shock so many people and definitely knock down a lot of preconceived notions that people used to think of me. I’m excited for people to hear it.