Riff Raff -- I'm Goin' Country ... And I'm Changing My Name

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.

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."