Romey Interview

I2G chopped game with Chi-Town’s Romey for a exclusive interview. We discuss his future endeavors on the music tip, his thoughts on Midwest hip hop and why he feels he is the “Midwest King”. Check it out.

Illuminati 2G is here with Romey how’s it going? 

Everything is good I have no Complaints. Lol!

Tell me a little bit about how you got your start in hip hop and who are some of your musical influences out there.

Well I got my first real introduction to hip-hop music from my uncle Tony when I was very young like 7yrs old cause he had every single tape that came out and he kept them in his old Nike shoes boxes in the corner of his room when he would leave the house I would sneak into his room and listen to all the great rap albums LL, Run DMC, Slick Rick, Rakim the list goes on and on. At that stage in my life I think it really planted the seeds for my pure love of hip-hop because I had a chance to be influenced by the Golden Era’s greatest rappers that translated into me being heavily influenced by Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Nas, Snoop, Eminem in my teenage years because they were the next great batch of hip-hop royalty and nowadays I listen to alot of Kanye West, T.I, Lil Wayne, Game, Ludacris Lupe Fiasco because I think these are the artists that will continue to keep hip-hop as the #1 Genre of music.

How did you get your first big break in the industry?   

My first big break came in 02 when I put out my very first project which was a maxi single called Fill Like a Mill.   What was so crazy about this story is I actually sent the Source Magazine an early copy of the cd before I got em pressed up by Discmakers I mean I hit them with the CD-R jump off with the writing on it with the marker and the contact number smeared on the bottom.Lol!  anyway I was @ the mall one day just doing some light shopping for kicks and what not and I get a call from Boo Rosario the music editor for Source Magazine ( shout out to Boogie too I really do appreciate what he did for me greatly)Lol! and he tells me that my cd had been selected by him and his music department to be featured in the next months Independence Day column in the Source when I heard that I almost dropped the phone it literally felt like a hit the lottery I was so charged and excited so from there I just gave him my additional contact info then luckily discmakers sent me a proof of my cd so I was able to forward to them the artwork and the next month I was in the Source I went up to the mall and the Magazines were sold out because everybody heard I was in there.  when I read the write up and I seen it say he thoughts I was a prolific MC it was on from there.

If you could best describe your style on the mic how would you and why?

This is the best way I feel I can describe my style and these are real lyrics from my new album ” when u combine the coldest lyrics and the hottest flows/ blood sweat and tears mixed with my heart and soul/ B.I.G. swag mixed Kanye’s passion/ Doug E. Fresh stage presence in todays fashion/ u get the main with the 6″7 frame/ who ain’t scared to let u know what’s on his mind like Game/ showed three times the dedication like Drama n Lil Wayne/ with a style and a sound all his own like T-pain/ with the influence like pac perfectionist like the Doc/he is to get rich what Jay is to the Roc/ that inspirational figure who came str8 from the block/ and now refers to himself as hip-hops barack/ w 50 cent ambition plus eminem vision/ to beat any beat to a pulp w precision/ I’m the new edition but I’m ain’t Mike Bivens/to hip-hops elite just as long as I’m living/” That’s what it is and that’s how I feel point blank period.

Nice rhymes. What would be your definition of a MC? 

Ummm Romey! just kidding lol! nah a true MC is a jack of all trades when it comes to rapping. I believe it’s someone that possesses powerful yet lyrical content w substance somebody that can freestyle as well as battle @ any given time and also turn around and write and structure great songs while making hit records.  And last but not least have the ability to always elevate and revolutionize they flow.

What is the music scene like in Chicago where you are from?   

This is a double answer because I rep two cities I’m a Hybrid ya dig.  Chicago is a melting pot because we smack dab in the middle of the country so we retain music from each coast so because of that we got a city full of versatile artist with alot of hunger.  No matter whether it’s Common, Twista, or Kanye or Bump J, Sly Polaroid, L.E.P, you can hear that chicago soul that hunger mixed w talent it may be Gangsta heartfelt or conscious but it’s all unique but different but it’s all so Chicago and I think it’s only a matter of time before the whole country catch on to the way we live and the beautiful music we make. As for Madison, Wisconsin the other hometown where I did alot of my hustling the music is very uptempo and street then you have a large college following because it’s a college town so you have to cater so the University of Wisconsin students too.  so u have everything from street rappers to hip-hop acts with live bands it’s really special I really feel like we have the same hunger and talent as the bigger cities but we stay way below the radar because it’s a smaller market.

In calling yourself the Midwest King, what do you feel that you are bringing new or unique to the table that other rappers may or may not currently bring or have not in the past? 

When I say I’m the Midwest King I mean that I truly feel in my heart that when it comes to this music I am the absolute best at what I do that title is my motivation as well my prediction for everything that I’m bout to do. I feel like my style and swag is just the opposite of what u seeing right now and my stock and fan base is growing rapidly if you study the game then u know hip-hop rewards the creative the talented and courageous artist who dare to be different and are not afraid to just be real I epitomize that I’m not trying to stir up any controversy or drama I just feel like we meaning Get Rich is the Best and that’s how any artist should feel if they really passionate and love Music as much as I do. I’m in my Dj Khaled mode right now Lol!

Is there any details that you can give about your upcoming album or mixtape?

We working on a special mixtape right now it’s top secret for the moment.  I think with me having already worked w alot of the big dogs on the mixtape scene I wanna take to the next level and  make my next mixtape a street album.  But what I will say is this and I’ve never let any type media outlet know this but I look @ hip-hop as a sport the NBA to be specific and my mixtape will be in the same vein as like the all-star game it will definitely make you ooh n ahh throughout the whole tape and as far as my album I’m in the process of recording 30 records as we speak and that will have to be compared to the Finals because I have to put it all on the line in order to win it’s like the championship and every rapper wants to have that great album because the victor get the spoils so I definitely wanna experience what great artist who make great mixtapes and great albums experience.

Looking forward to that mixtape when it drops. What are your thoughts right now on the state of hip hop?   

I think alot of the music is too microwavable and doesn’t have any soul in it.  I think there is a definite lack of great artist in hip hop right now and if you don’t have great artists then u don’t have great music being made I think there’s too many rappers and not enough fans any time you can listen to someone’s song and one year later that same song is not good or hot to me that’s a problem alot of the music in the game is like that now so I think where the state of hip hop is today is good for someone like me that will penetrate with raw talent I think it’s bad for an artist that’s trying to do exactly what they’re seeing on TV and hearing on the radio. I can relate to anybody out there having dreams of getting they family out the hood I just don’t think hip-hop is the answer for everybody.  Me being a real MC I dont wanna work my ass off only to turn around and have majority of the world thinking they can do what I do it’s disrespectful to all the artist who sacrificed so that hip hop can be what it is today.

Who are some artists that you are bumping at home or in the ride or your iPod that you are feeling right now?

Honestly I’m bumping alot of old school I been into the Biggie albums because that movie really inspired me and reminded me why I love music. other than that I haven’t been listening to anything other than what I’m being force fed through radio and videos when I do flip the radio on for a few seconds or when I’m channel surfing and I’m just being straight up I’m working on my album so I really don’t wanna be influenced by the music that’s out there right now

Do you have any shows or tour dates coming up?

Right now I’m still on hiatus because I’m deep in the recording process of the album but when I’m done I will back doing shows heavy I’ve already opened up for almost every big artist in the game so it’s nothing but I will definitely keep you guys posted.

Alright cool biz. What is your MySpace info or website info for people looking to check out your music?

My myspace is www.myspace.com/getrichrecords or get at me on www.youtube.com/romeytv.

Appreciate the interview. Any last words or shoutouts?

I wanna shout out the whole Get Rich Records staff B-Ezee, Unit-7, Boo Baby, Big Ten, my manager Rick Edwards Steve Legna my man Kai for going hard on the PR and all my peeps in Chi-town and Madtown Stand up!