If you know Hip Hop, then you know that the most impactful artists are not found on commercial radio or the top of the charts. It’s a nice gig if you can get it, but many times it’s nothing more than a fleeting spell of vapor fame. Instead, the dopest emcees, those with a base, can be found putting in work to build success from the ground up. They grind in the trenches well below the surface. True Hip Hop heads know you need to look deeper to find the true masters of the craft. Insomniac Magazine has had a pretty solid track record over the past 20 years of placing a spotlight on amazing talent. Now, we continue that tradition by shining it on Detroit emcee and producer Rocdwell. Check the dialog and savor the sonic flavor.
What inspires you to create music?
Rocdwell: Well, what inspires me presently is old 70’s soul music. I love to listen to Al Green, the Delfonics, Stevie Wonder and many others. In my brand of hip hop, it’s heavily influenced by soul music. Those artists really touch the everyday stuff that people go through. Love and relationships are a big part of people’s lives and how it’s expressed through soul music hits the core of humanity. That’s how I want my music to feel but my structure will always be Hip Hop. I love many Hip Hop artists, but I am a student of KRS ONE. No question.
What are you currently using to produce tracks?
Rocdwell: I love my home studio. It has taken many years to develop my raw, yet quality sound that I wanted. My main accessories are my mic and mixer, the bare essentials. I use MultitrackStudio to cut all of my vocals, also to mix and master the track. I used to only want to use and produce my own beats, but I realize that I vibe more on others production. Once I took my hands off producing my own beats exclusively, I began to flourish more as an MC. I have produced a few beats I used for songs but I don’t depend on my production. That was a humbling thing for me to realize but I’m glad I did.
How do you feel Rocdwell fills an empty space in Hip Hop today?
Rocdwell: I am soul brotha number one. LOL. Seriously, I make music for those who use to love Hip Hop but stopped supporting it because there’s nothing out there for them. Yo, I’m a husband, a father, and no doubt, a man. I want to make music that can grow up with my fans, rather than embrace the Peter Pan culture of “Hip Hop”. Songs like “No Money Down,” which is on my latest album “Daily Chronicles” talks about credit card debt, and we are living in an age where people are drowning in debt by the age of 25 years old. It is a humorous depiction, but it’s a real problem none the less that needs to be brought up. So no doubt, my unique perspective on life sets me apart from everyone else.
Can you discuss marketing techniques that you’ve employed in building your base? What’s been the most effective?
Rockdwell: Well, creating fresh graphics/videos with short clips of my music has worked really well for me. Whether it’s putting a fresh spin visually on previous work or dropping an exclusive release that the fans would appreciate. I love dropping exclusive, unexpected releases for my fans. I believe it help to keep their appetites for what you have in store for the future. Of course, staying consistent is key.
Are you currently doing live performances?
Rockdwell: I have some shows that are being booked for October/November 2015. We are still working out the details, but I will keep everyone posted. One thing I would say about Detroit and its artists, that there’s not much hope for artists to survive staying exclusively in Detroit. Most of my fans are outside of Detroit, in other states or outside the country. If the Most High wills, I will be touring overseas at the top of 2016. But in Detroit, many venues are filled with artists and not many fans that support the music. The top of this year, I did my rounds in many of the Detroit venues and there are not many quality shows. The good thing I experienced was being able to develop as an performing artist and establishing a good set. I have some things that are on the table now concerning my music career that can create a good situation for my art and I am looking forward to that. Yo, much love to Insomniac Magazine. You got nothing but respect from me.
Check out more from Rocdwell at:
BandCamp
Facebook
Twitter: @rocdwell
Instagram: @rocdwell
Interview by Israel Vasquetelle
