#nmdb underground

What started off as a small hobby to help starting an award-nominated hip-hop group, Rollie Jay keeps on his hustle, pushing out music, waiting for his time to shine.

NMDB: When did you start making music?

I made my first song in 2007 on my brother’s Apple Mac, which led me to recording with Thomas Schmidt at his house during school hours. After word got out that I was rapping I began making music with my cousin Frank Waln. We founded the group Nake Nula Waun together through messages on MSN; this was well before any other members were in the group.

NMDB: What’s your rap name and what’s the story behind it?

Rollie Jay is my nickname that everybody in my life knows me by. The name originated from my uncle, who started calling me Rollin, because it rhymed with my real name, Collin. Over time I became known as Rollie Jay, with a variation of alternate nicknames. At first glance people like to believe they call me Rollie Jay for other reasons, which would also make sense.

NMDB: Where are you from?

I’m from Mission, SD, the only town on my reservation with stop lights. I’m an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and I was born at IHS in Rosebud SD.

NMDB: Where do you get inspiration from for your music?

I get my inspiration from real life experiences. I was never the poorest kid or the richest kid but I can say I know the true struggles of growing up on a reservation. I have many ups and downs in my life and through it all I’ve been able to get by day by day.

NMDB: How many albums do you have out and what are the stories behind them?

I only have one album out as a member of Nake Nula Waun, the title is Always Ready. We were nominated for a few awards for the album; Frank won Best Producer off this album also. Other than that, I haven’t had the type of money to legally put out my music.

NMDB: How do you feel being selected to feature yourself and songs on Native Max's new entertainment website, NMDB?

I feel like it’s been a long time coming, that someone finally notices me for my music. I feel the more attention I get will bring in more opportunities for other local talent and I’m not afraid to give them the spotlight. I’m not selfish in any way and if I ever make it big, I’m bringing my tribe with me.

Gearing up for the release of a brand new mixtape and a few tracks, NMDB Underground takes a few minutes to get to know Rek Manik.

NMDB: Where are you from?

REK MANIK: I was born and raised in Mission, South Dakota. I’m an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe here in south central South Dakota.

NMDB: When did you start making music?

REK MANIK: I started writing songs when I was 13 years old but didn't really record anything until I was 15. Basically around 2003 I developed my process for a few years then jumped in the rap game around 2005.

NMDB: What's the story behind "Rek Manik"?

REK MANIK: Over the years I've had a few names but none of them really stuck with me until "Rek Manik". It’s basically describing my personality music wise: "rek" means a destructive force willing to dominate and establish my presence in any form I see fit, and "manik" means the craziness that beholds in my rhymes and personality; the madness and mania I am willing to cause. I will not stop even if I have my name written in lights, fame is not what I thrive for its recognition and respect I love.

NMDB: Where do you get inspiration from for your music?

REK MANIK: Mainly just the life I live and listening to a little bit of everything there is. A major inspiration is an uncle of mine that passed away some years ago; he told me be confident and don't let anyone bring me down.  He told me I have a gift and should never take it lightly. My words are my destiny, he is the reason I will never give up on music. He said to love music is to love life and if you have the ability to verbalize your thoughts on a recording and have people feel it and relate to it then there is a reason I was given this gift.

NMDB: How many albums do you have out and what are the stories behind them?

REK MANIK: As of the present moment I don't really have an album out. I mainly do like mixtape type songs right now but I am working on a mixtape right now called My Money Lovely. I'm not exactly sure when that will be finished. The story behind it is really just me showing the haters and nay-sayers that even though you look down on me I will not be over looked and that I am a force to be reckoned with. Also juggling working a day job and raising my kids keep me quite busy, but I am looking to expand my network. To tell you the truth I need a producer, a manager, a promoter, and possibly some more artists to sign to my label, Siouxperior Music, and I’m also looking for collabs for songs. I'm trying to get it off the ground and all that, but in time I will be putting out a lot of albums and mixtapes.

NMDB: Please explain a little more about your music label, Siouxperior Music and why you created it?

REK MANIK: It’s just a production I made for myself and I feel I can build it into something great, something that’s mine that I have total creative control over. The name isn’t about being "superior" to anyone, more about collaborating with the best of the best in South Dakota and everywhere else. It’s mainly just me at the moment but I do have my affiliates. I am always on the lookout for some artist to put on, only if they are 110% about being down with it. Music is my passion and I need the same kind of people down with this.

NMDB: How do you feel being selected to feature yourself and songs on NMDB, Native Max's new entertainment website?

Greg, aka “G Money XL” and Jeremy, aka “O-Z”, was just a couple of guys who make music in their free time. With no intentions of looking for stardom or fame, both made a song called “Make Your Move” and launched it on social media and Soundcloud. Browsing around for upcoming artists, NMDB’s creator Kelly Holmes stumbled upon Jeremy’s numerous postings about his music around Facebook. What captured her attention was how much Jeremy was promoting his music –almost everyday he was posting links to his Youtube, Facebook and Soundcloud in various hip-hop and music groups. Curious about a certain song on Jeremy’s Soundcloud, Kelly listened to “Make Your Move” and instantly took interest in featuring the artists on NMDB. Now the “Make Your Move” artists G Money XL and O-Z are one of the first artists featured on NMDB Underground, a column focused on underground Native artists.

NMDB Underground talks to Greg and Jeremy about their hit “Make Your Move”.

NMDB: What are your hip-hop names?

G MONEY XL: I go by the name “G Money XL”.

O-Z: Well my name Jeremy and I go by "Lakota Boy" or “O-Z”. I go by a few names because there is another artist that goes by Oz but I had the name since a wee little guy [laughs]. Thought I’d add Lakota boy to it.

NMDB: When did you start making music?

G MONEY XL: I started making music about seven or eight years ago. I needed something to do with all the free time I had living on the reservation.

O-Z: I started making music when I was about 14 yrs old. I needed a way to vent and I had a few family members that were also making music and being the young one I looked up to them so I wanted to try. I didn't record my first song until I was 16 years old, I had a teacher bring in his recording equipment and I recorded my first song. I haven’t released anything out until last year. People listening thought it was good but I really didn’t have all the right equipment but had to get it out somehow.

NMDB: What's the story behind "Make Your Move"?

G MONEY XL: I had the day off and nothing to do, so I figured since I haven't made or dropped any tracks lately, I messaged Jeremy and said “let’s get in the booth “. Few days later this guy shows up and we didn't really know each other so I tried to be open and funny as possible. When working with people I don't know, I want to get them to like me so I joke and mess around until it’s time to flow. So we get in the booth and O-Z gets a call. He had to leave for an hour or two; meanwhile I'm in my booth bored as hell. I turned on the microphone and looped the instrumental we had picked out, and started thinking of something to describe our track. "Nothing to lose, nothing to prove” was the main part I wanted heard and the lyric "if you wanna play these games then, make your move" is for all the other rappers who didn’t want to collaborate with us. O-Z was writing his verse, and soon as I get done with my part he was ready to go. Recording this guy while writing my verse was a difficult task but I got it done, pushed it out, and gave it to O-Z. He uploaded the song and he we are.

O-Z: Well Greg came up with the chorus, I listened to it and it was great; it got me all hyped up and I started writing and it was all coming to me. The first few lines in my verse are “I have nothing to lose, put everything up on that line". I put everything I have into this track; making music that connects but yet shows my skill and talent at the same time.

NMDB: Where are you from?

G MONEY XL: I’m from Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Growing up I bounced around South Dakota and North Dakota. I currently live in Pierre, SD.

O-Z: I bounced all over from here in South Dakota to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Now I currently live twenty miles outside of Pierre, SD in a small town called Blunt. I’m from Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I was born in Rosebud and spent most of my life in Rosebud.

NMDB: How do you feel being selected to feature yourselves and song on Native Max Drumbeat?

G MONEY XL: It feels great to be picked out of the many Native rappers around here, didn't think anything like this would happen after making that track. Thank you for the opportunity!

 O-Z: Oh I feel alright [laughs]. No I feel great it feels great to be selected out of a lot of Native artists. Never thought upper people were tuning in and now I know, it feels great also thanks for tuning in.

NMDB: Why do you think NMDB, Native Max Magazine’s new entertainment site, is such a great forum for Native talent?

G MONEY XL: Well honestly I thought Native Max magazine was for Natives to be posing, modeling I guess. Now that I know it’s much more than that I believe it is a great way to get a lot of unseen Native talent brought up to the spotlight and out to this world, letting these other races know that Native Americans are still here.