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MyspaceINTERVIEW: ROCCETT
November 28th, 2006 | Written by: Jackson Published in Featured, Interviews, Music
WEST IN FULL
Up & Coming California artist- Roccett, speaks with TOUR on upcoming project, West In Full.
People speak out against Rap Music as if it has subliminal suggestions squeezed between every other word geared to demoralize the minds of those who listen to it. If a song lyrically speaks about life on the block and the way someone hustles to feed their family, that’s not sending subliminal messages that’s telling a story on how people survive when there is no other way to eat.
Not everyone can rap a love melody like LL Cool J because they may not have felt the love growing up. Not everyone can rap a funny song like Biz Markie because on their block, life is no joke! If you come from a hood that breeds gang activity, violence and you happen to live the way you see others live in your hood then this is what a rap artist will sing about in his music. He calls it the way he sees it! This is his experience! This is his life on the block in his hood.
TOUR: Hey man how are you?
Roccett: It’s all good Jackson. I can’t complain!
TOUR: Where are you from?
Roccett: The West Coast. I’m from Carson, California.
TOUR: I understand that’s a tough area. Is it as bad as it use to be?
Roccett: There will always be those same elements on the streets, from the gang activity to poverty. That’s something that will never change.
TOUR: Who were your role models?
Roccett: From a hip hop perspective I got to say Tupac. You gotta love Pac.
TOUR: Looking at the environment that you lived in what influenced you into music?
Roccett: Everything I talk about in my music is real. I talk about things all people can relate too in some way or another. I tell the truth! I express how I feel on any given day through my music. So if I experienced something from my neighborhood or in life, I talk about that in my music and it influences my music.
TOUR: Was music always your first choice for a career?
Roccett: No, I used to play ball. As a youngster I wanted to play ball professionally. I didn’t begin to take music seriously until a few years back. I got into trouble and people in my circle told me I could turn things around in my life with music. See they thought I was a good rapper and they really felt my music so they influenced me to pursue music in a serious manner.
TOUR: This next question might sound a little weird but people always ask it behind the scenes. When a person hustle on the streets or do what they do on the streets do they actually think about having a career that is accepted by our society….what are your thoughts on that?
Roccett: Jackson, man! It depends on the person. I know people have to consider or think about life after the streets or another way to live life. I don’t know if people are worried about being accepted by society, but I do know people want a less stressful way of living.
TOUR: That’s true! How did you learn to perform the way you do?
Roccett: It comes natural. I give my all when I perform. As an artist I always observe how other artist perform and I also observe how my fans react to me on stage. But you know what I just go out there and give’em 100 percent.
TOUR: We all know that the West Coast produced many great performers before you. Do you feel any pressure having to meet the skills and professionalism of those artists?
Roccett: No I don’t feel any pressure. I am just as passionate and I work just as hard as the next artist. I put my all into my music and career. I also tell the truth in my music. Jackson, man, there are no gimmicks in my songs. I assure you people will feel the realness in my music. I respect those before me and the music I listen too.
TOUR: Do you have a manager and if so what role does he play in your career?
Roccett: yes my manager is Rick Edwards. Rick holds me down in all aspects of my career. He gives me advice, creates opportunities, and handles the business. He plays an important role in my career.
TOUR: Do you write your own lyrics?
Roccett: Hell Yeah! I write all of my lyrics. Each and every word.
TOUR: Your album “West In Full” how did you come up with this name?
Roccett: West in Full is my Mixtape. The name plays off the movie PAID IN FULL. The mixtape is me representing the West Coast 100 percent.
TOUR: Lets talk about mixtapes for a minute. Why is it so important to be on a mixtape?
Roccett: Mixtapes gives me as an artist the opportunity let people hear my music. It’s also a great way to build a larger fan base outside of my core region. In other words the Mixtape scene is a great way to create a buzz for yourself as an artist.
TOUR: Are you on any mix tapes?
Roccett: I have a Mixtape out Hosted by DJ VLAD called West in Full, I dropped a Mixtape on Westcoastrydaz.com I have a Mixtape coming out with DJ Warrior, and a Mixtape for the South coming out Hosted by DJ Chuck T. I am also doing a Makaveli Branded Mixtape Hosted and Mixed by OG RON C the legendary DJ from Houston, Texas.
TOUR: Let me ask you this are mix tapes available to the public or is it a underground thing?
Roccett: The mixtapes are available to the public via the internet. You can get my Mixtapes on my myspace page www.myspace.com/roccett and www.roccett.com. We are definitely in the streets pushing the mixtapes and making sure the masses feel the movement.
TOUR: What message do you want your fans to get from “West In Full”?
Roccett: West In Full is for the streets. I want the fans to get a taste of ROCCETT and be prepared for my first album. I had an opportunity to have fun and do some real street music on this project.
TOUR: Do you have any featured artists on “West In Full”?
Roccett: Yeah! I let a variety of people on this Mixtape. It was a way to open doors for others and let the fans hear how some other MC’s get down on the West Coast.
TOUR: I have to ask you about your connection with one of the hottest Rap Artist the south has produced today. Signed with Def Jam, Young Jeezy is setting the rap game on fire! Now you’re from the West Coast and he’s from the dirty south, Atlanta, Ga. How did you get to hook-up with Young Jeezy?
Roccett: I met Jeezy through Green Up Entertainment. Me and Jeezy met as homies, he didn’t even know I rapped till maybe 6 months after I met him. He first heard me rap after an event we was at in LA, after the show I was outside rapping with some other people, Jeezy heard me and we’ve been building on the music ever since.
TOUR: What do you dis-like about the music industry?
Roccett: Man! People in this business are some of the fakest people in the world. That’s hard to deal with at times. I don’t have the time or patience for the games.
TOUR: What do you like most about this business?
Roccett: This business creates opportunities, provides a way of life, and can get some people off the streets.
TOUR: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Roccett: I see myself doing a little bit of everything. I look forward to a successful music career, I look forward to acting, and I look forward to many different business opportunities. Right know my focus is putting together a classic first album and continuing to work the streets with my music.
TOUR: For those young artists who think they have what it takes to make it in this very competitive game, what advise do you offer them?
Roccett: Work hard and create your own opportunities. You gonna get what you put into it and nothing more.
Jackson: Where can people go to check out your music or reach out to you?
Roccett: People can check me out at: www.myspace.com/roccett and www.roccett.com Jackson man… Thanks for the interview and support… Shouts to Green Up Entertainment, CTE and Makaveli Branded.
TOUR: I thank you for sharing your story with TOUR-MAG! Take care Roccett!
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