Interview with Milwaukee's Own Rockz Solid!
WWW.DOWHATYOUDESIRE.COM & AMERIKAS ADDICTION PRESENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH MILWAUKEE'S OWN ROCKZ SOLID!
Today we have an interview with one of our favorite Milwaukee emcees or femcees! Her name is Rockz Solid. The thing about Rockz Solid that we admire is that she is truly passionate about what she does. She lives, breathes and sleeps music and hip-hop. She is also quite an intelligent lady who has opened her own studio and offers studio time to fellow artists in Milwaukee and beyond. She collaborates with artists all around the city and should be an inspiration to "do what you desire" no matter what you have went through. Listen to her and you will understand that she has something to say, whether positive or venomous. Do What You Desire and take a listen! SOUTHSIDE! MILWAUKEE! STAND UP!
Female artist Rockz Solid, CEO of Brewed Fresh Records LLC, began training for her career as a performing artist at a very young age and is now flooding the Midwest with a new sound unlike anything previously heard in the Hip Hop culture. As an artist she's extremely flexible in style and has a voice fit to deliver her soulful old school, hip hop lines. Since starting her own record label in October of 2010 she's cranked out a ton of hot promo items and is currently working on a project "For The Love, Mixtape Volume 1" expected to be released later in the year. Aside from her own projects she and her team of experts work vigorously with a number of top notch local artist on collaboration and charity events to benefit Milwaukee's South side. She is also a member of the "Milwaukee Mijas" which is a group of woman artist who work together to unite, create, and rise with one another in support of each artistic journey.
Her main music webpage is
www.reverbnation.com/rockzsolid
facebook page is www.facebook.com/rockzsolid
Also check out www.soundcloud.com/rockzsolid & www.youtube.com/r0ckyr0ckz.
What's the first thing you would say to someone when they ask you to describe yourself as an artist?
As An artist, I strive to stay true to myself, my values, my culture of hip hop. I think I would describe myself as being a growing artist in that I am always looking to learn more, grow more, and challenge myself musically. My music is an expression of the love I have for my culture and I'm very protective of that culture so as a growing artist I'm really learning to cherish it through concepts, lyrics, and collaborations.
What inspires you to create music?
I believe it's really just like breathing for me. Music is what I was naturally born to create. Everything inspires me to write... My kids and knowing that I want their minds open to the truth and reality of our world not the lies they seem to hear daily, Our environment in which surrounds us and engulfs us in constant struggles and lessons, and my emotions which I feel the need to express otherwise.. well it could be dangerous for Milwaukee.
What do you feel about the music industry today?
The music industry today is just that... An industry. I personally desire no part of it because I feel that my art is a craft not a product to be put on the shelf of our modern day music industry. So my music industry, Is that of local artists who grow together and learn together... I don't acknowledge anything other than that.
What makes you different from other artists?
There's a lot that makes me stand apart from other artists. For one, I'm a female. This alone has been something that has always worked for either a major benefit or a major set back. Also, I'm not only an artist but I also own a label so I surround myself with every aspect of the music business. My music makes me different from other artists as well, this is because we pride ourselves on making old school hip hop, underground, or movement tracks. I don't allow myself to just hop on any project and I am always conscience as to what type of image I am portraying.
How do you feel about the Milwaukee music scene?
Milwaukee's music scene is an extension of Milwaukee itself. By that I mean, It's just as segregated and separated as Milwaukee is. Over there, you have the gangsta rappers, over here you have the hip hop heads, on the other side is the south side, and then finally each has its own movement. It's quite sad to be honest because well for lack of a better word there's so much hatred. If you don't fit into this group or that group then you're forced to fend for yourself. Its like an old Baptist Church... with all the back biting and gossiping, he said she said and not constructive criticism but straight up downgrading. I love Milwaukee... I really do. I love the south side as well... But something has to change in the Milwaukee Music Scene. I'm not one to talk about something and not do anything about it, so I just leave this topic alone entirely 'cause I don't see much change happening anytime soon...
Have you faced any discrimination/hate for being a female emcee?
Yes, surprisingly enough by another female artist and a few male ones. I think its just a feeling of intimidation that comes upon them. I don't sweat the hate as much as I do the discrimination. I've noticed a few discriminatory acts ... Guys feel like they don't have to acknowledge me or treat me with the same level of respect as they would treat a male mc. I just shrug it off. :)
What are your thoughts on hip-hop and social activism/community building?
I think Hip-Hop is a great avenue to reach our young people most specifically. My partner Annie Mae & I feel very strongly about this and that's why whenever we can we help out with various community projects that help our youth. As far as community building, the label I own "Brewed Fresh Records LLC" takes pride in really uplifting the south side and uniting our community through the empowerment of music. Hip-Hop has always been a form of building our people up.. somewhere along the way that was lost... & I'm determined to help it find its way back.
How is it being a studio owner/poet/emcee and a mother? How do you juggle it all and make it successful for you!
This is a really hard question because there is no logical possible way to make every part of my life successful and balanced at all times. I always am sure to keep my kids the first and most important part of my life. They're necessities for my attention, love, cooking, cleaning, and advice come before anything I do. My music probably doesn't take as much of my focus as it should but I always attempt to meditate on instrumentals and write even if it's not to complete songs ...but I have a need to write regardless. I work Full-time in a career I'm attempting to build so I can learn more about business. In January, I'll be going back to school to finish my degree in Business. As for the studio, I get a lot of help from our engineer Brown Man. He really assists with setting up sessions, recording, mixing, and organizing files on the computer. The business isn't where we want it to be yet but it's only been about a year so we are definitely on the right track! Annie Mae who is the co-owner is a tremendous help as well with designing the business cards, helping with the vision, mission and representing the label at meetings! It takes team work to make a business effective and it took me quite a while to realize I can't do everything on my own! The hardest part of it all, Is fitting in time for event planning and supporting other local events. It takes a lot of work to plan an event and I juggle multiple events at monthly increments. I try to always stay open for any local events I'm asked to perform in and I also try to at least show face to support other artists and local venues. So yes, Life gets a bit hectic but that's when I pull out the big Balance Scale and start prioritizing all over again.
What is next for you? Any upcoming projects?
Well, Since I completed the newest mixtape "For The Love," I am working on a collaborative album with a dope underground producer from North Carolina named "Storm Watkins." I am also working on another "For The Love" tape hoping to drop one mixtape each year despite any other projects each year. Pudj of Money Hungry and I will be shooting a video with Allen Halas for a song of the Mixtape "Pressure." Also, I probably will make 2 other official videos this year off that tape alone. We do have a few events coming up as well...X's HipHop4Humanity on December 16th Brewed Fresh will be performing live at Mio Lounge, #StopTheViolence December 17th at Hot Water with DJ Cell (Sinista hosting and Numerous sponsors check on Facebook!) and finally December 21st we will be with our Family over at Grassroots for the 100th show at Miramar Theatre with Tony Mack and Nick Ramsey! #FamilyPower !
Where can we find your music at online?
Download the mixtape here:
http://soundcloud.com/rockzsolid/sets/for-the-love
Other soundcloud music here: http://soundcloud.com/rockzsolid
Collaborations and singles here: http://www.reverbnation.com/rockzsolid
Live performances and picture videos here: http://www.youtube.com/r0ckyr0ckz
Add me on FB and Twitter for event updates : http://www.facebook.com/rockzsolid & @RockzSoSolid
Any last words/shout outs?
It would take me allllll day to shoutout everyone I'd want to.. But I'd just like to thank Amerikas Addiction for always being supportive and for doing this interview. My partner (in business) .. inside joke.. lol.. Annie Mae.. My engineer Brown Man. Money Hungry Music Group: Pudj, Tb, Rick, Julio. Shoutout to the whole south side - Syph Squad, Sinista, Black World Music Group, Uproc, YUS, Aztec Ink, Peggy West (RE ELECT PEGGY for 2012 by the way) Safs Crew, Son Em All, 414Luv, Milwaukee Hits, my boy Donnie, BrewSky Ent... the homegirl PG..New Breed, Spot Light, and Duce Duce! Shoutout to all the artists in Milwaukee striving to put our community on the right path! Also, Local venues that support our hip hop... Hot Water, Mio Lounge, Monkey Bar ( Yea i messed that up... ) Carte Blanche & soon to be The Spot! Yeah I could go on for days!
www.amerikasaddiction.com
www.facebook.com/amerikasaddiction
www.twitter.com/amerikasaddiction
www.youtube.com/amerikasaddiction
www.soundcloud.com/amerikasaddiction
For more info on how to be featured on www.dowhatyoudesire.com please contact - [email protected] or via twitter - www.twitter.com/jthetruth
