And I'm Changing My Name

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Riff Raff has pulled a Kid Rock ... jumping ship in the rap game to pursue COUNTRY music -- and he's even changing his name to something a lot more down home.

Raff just recorded a song called "Take U Away" -- which he'll release shortly -- and he tells TMZ, it's recorded under the name Jody Highroller.

He'll continue to use Riff Raff as his rap name.

Raff's new song is a little pitchy, but it's catchy as hell ... and it was produced by Dame Grease, one of DMX's go-to producers. We're told Raff's country ambitions are also backed by Diplo ... one of the top producers on the planet. Raff's new song is a little pitchy, but it's catchy as hell ... and it was produced by, one of DMX's go-to producers. We're told Raff's country ambitions are also backed by... one of the top producers on the planet.

Riff Raff -- who hails from Houston, TX -- insists it's not a joke, telling TMZ, "I love country music ... I'm good at it and it's a good fit."