Boston Dutch ReBelle recently dropped “ReBelle Diaries.” CREDIT: METRO/NICOLAUS CZARNECKI
Dutch ReBelle is not satisfied with being just another Boston rapper.
Yes, the 27-year-old local emcee is now the toast of Boston’s hip hop scene, three years after she dropped “Beantown Ish.” Yes, she’s played major festivals like South By Southwest. And yes, she’s garnered attention from outlets like Complex, XXL Magazine and USA Today.
That is apparently not enough for the Haitian-born and Milton-raised rapper.
“I want to go international — I’m already an immigrant and I could never just settle locally,” she says.
Her latest stab at global domination is this month’s “ReBelle Diaries.” On Friday, the Middle East will play host to a record release party for ReBelle’s latest effort.
ReBelle says the record reflects her eclectic palate; the 14 tracks feature samples of Biggie Smalls and Gwen Stefani and a slew of producers — only one features on more than one song.
“I was looking for beats that automatically put you in a mood,” she says.
ReBelle’s ambition could carry her to a national success few local emcees have tasted.
Asked why so few Boston rappers blow up nationally, she cites the city’s sedentary provincialism.
“I think that a lot of them don’t leave Boston. When I did South by Southwest, everyone was surprised. I don’t know if they expect the opportunities to come to them, but you have to be willing to travel in this industry. You can’t wait and expect the machine to come up and grab a hold of you.”
ReBelle, for one, says she enjoys the challenges of the road.
“I like walking into a room where no one knows me. It’s always awkward when they don’t know they songs, they’re just looking at you,” she said. “In the end, you either get the applause or you don’t. That’s how you test yourself.”
You can listen to “ReBelle Diaries” here.
