Money Mark Diggla splashed onto the music scene with Slip N Slide Records during the late 90’s as one of their central artist. His stalwart wordplay was just what they needed to help scour the billboard charts. You might remember his gruff and energetic vocals from Trick Daddy's anthem, Take it to the House, featuring C.O. and Trina.
Take it to the House Video/ Repping HBCU's before Coachella
He’s also owner of Marked Music ENT, in addition to being an actor in 2005 urban film, Bloodline.
'Bloodline' Movie-- We do not own rights to the video, but you can watch entire movie here. Shhh!
“I was working in the studio and producers from the movie were doing something called “The Actors Table.” Apparently, the lead actor took another role. I was actually leaving a studio session, and walked past their meeting. I heard someone say, “Oh, that’s the guy.”
“I tried it even though I didn’t know how to act, and that’s what popped out of it. I’ve been working on doing other independent films ever since, and I’ve been doing stand-in work while in Atlanta.”
Diggla is inspired by the best to ever do it, “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson. However, Tupac is the one that really does it for him as an actor.
“I like Tupac for the same reasons I like Biggie. I know he [Tupac] had a little training in acting, but I think he was searching to make those roles. He put his character and persona into it—he put a little piece of him into his roles to make them work. That’s the reason he’s my slept-on actor.”
He’s featured and produced songs with well-known artist such as Pitbull, Flo Rida, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trina, 8Ball & MJG, Jim Jonsin, Snoop Dogg, Mannie Freah, Pretty Ricky and Big D.
Trina --Money Mark Diggla/ Nasty B**tch
His longevity is astounding considering the fluctuating elements of rap music in this era. You can be a hit today and a nobody tomorrow, but not Diggla. He keep’s pushing through with dope sounds no matter what.
“I believe I fell in love with hip hop by watching movies like Crush Groove,” he shared. “That was the breakthrough for me. Also, in Miami, Luke [Luther Campbell] used to have this club. He hosted—he brought different acts to town. It was a big party, [and] being in the presence of that made me want to be part of hip hop.
His favorite performances were by Run DMC and the Beastie Boys, when they were at the baseball stadium in Miami (Fl).
Diggla believes that Big Daddy Kane is the illiest wordsmith of them all [present and past].
Aye, can’t argue with that. We agree!
“I have one of his raps in my head, ‘Let it go, get bold, I can’t hold back or fold cos I’m a man with soul In control and effect, so what the heck Rock the discotheque and this grove is what’s next,’ Diggla hurled off a verse from Big Daddy Kane’s 1988 single,’ Set It Off.
Rap music metamorphosed over the years going from 32 explosive bars, to 3 paragraphs with unappetizing metaphors, to say the least. It’s easy to fall in love with the orgin of hip hop, especially when you remeber the mastery behind it, opposed to what it’s become.
“It’s been taken out of the hands of the machine,” he said. “We won’t have our natural style of music that’s made with hook, chorus and appropriate words. Nowadays it’s raw material. In some ways, that’s good. We get good music from it, but I believe that’s where it hurts too. We aren’t taking the time to honor the craft with song writing and hook—just sitting down and making sure that the production is top notch.”
In an eloquent tradeoff, the skillful rapper prefers Biggie over Tupac as far as favorite MC’s go.
“He has natural talent from the stories I’ve seen. He was a guy on the corner rapping. Tupac, on the other hand, he went to school for his skills. He knew what to do, when to do it, and how to express it. If Tupac wasn’t the greatest, he was one of the greatest, but he had training. You cant compare that to raw talent.
Diggla considers himself a hip hop artist. He said if the mic goes out, he’d freestyle and beatbox, using other elements of the craft to keep people entertained for the evening.
The rapper prefers thoughtful odes that tell a story.
“Rap, it needs to be understood. I would like to see artist work harder at delivery and understanding,” he expressed.
Diggla released Big Ol Butt. He also unleashed a rhythm single called Baecation .
“As for Big Ol Butt, We come from a time when it was all about dancing, and showing what you got [dancing skills] to get it moving."
I actually dedicated Baecation to my wife, Nicole. When we get away, I tell her, “Just leave everything, and let’s go.” Sometimes, it will take too long [to plan]. I’m telling her that all you need is your toothbrush and panties,” he laughed.
The lyricist is working on more material, in addition to dropping newest album, International Playa,.
Diggla said that his most memorable performance was around 2001, at the Jay Leno Show.
“I was able to see the full circle of music, from sampling and performing, to seeing how it helped him [Trick Daddy] and his issues that he was dealing with.
No lie, Trick Daddy has been the poster child for negative press as of late, but that doesn’t seem to bother Diggla. He still looks up to him as a mentor in the business.
“Temptation is a MF’er, but at the end of the day, you have to stay grounded through prayer of course, and family. We also have people that we look towards like role models, neighborhood coaches, the ones that can give you what you need to go the right direction. It’s not always easy, but as long as you keep the right circle around you, everything will pan out.”
‘I always wanted to do my best. I want people to know me as the person who took ownership [of my life]. I’ve been grinding from the beginning, from the start, to make something of myself."
Although he’s currently residing in Atlanta, the native of Miami (Fl) is working on a non-profit called, “Breakfast with Kings”. The banquet is a community-based event that welcomes the youth, young men, and elders, to fellowship amongst positive Kings in the community.
“They might have a job interview—we want to be that resource that provides a shirt and even the size. Some people cannot tie a necktie. We want it to be that type of breakfast, that provides affirmative dialogue. (launching on Fathers Day 2018).
Diggla is also touring with the Bad Boyz of Bass.
If the lyricist couldn’t rap, he’d produce TV shows.
“I love putting things together. In my spare time, I do LED for stage productions and things like that.”
He would like to subsist in the world of politics—he’s got a knack for fashion, so he could definitely see himself as a designer in the near future.
Closing out our interview, Diggla wanted our readers to go and get those blessings.
“Share knowledge and pull somebody up because everybody needs it. I’m speaking from the black community. I don’t want to leave anyone out. I just know what I know. I sometimes help with a basketball team in our area. Some of the youth have dreams of being in the NBA. Sadly, parents can’t afford to send them to basketball camp, so they can’t play. It’s people out here that has money. I see brothers in the club making it rain, and buying thousand dollar bottles. I know we can get some of these dreams fulfilled within our communities. If you can help somebody, just try and spread knowledge when you can.”
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