2L's: First off, for those who dont know you, give me some info about yourself.
Rod: Well im 19 and im born in raised in Tacoma WA.... at this point of my career i've been blessed to do quite alot. i won Showtime at the apollo in 2002, which lead to me building a name in my city and before i knew it i was opening for artist from Fabolous, to nelly, the clipse, missy elliot and many more.
2L's: When did you first start your rapping career and who were your influences?
Rod: I first started pursuing Hip Hop as a career when i was about 11.... My sister always had the dopest CD collection that i would sneak into whenever she left the house... she had everything from Michael Jackson, Stevie wonder, The isley brothers, to Biggie & Jay-z!.... they all immediately became big influences! It still seemed kinda unreal to live that dream Untill the day i found a CD that my sisters boyfriend made.... it was a song that he Recorded for her at a local studio.... once i saw that i was sold!..... it didn't seem so unreal to start creating and being like my influences anymore..... Thats when i just hit the ground running!
2L's: Has music always been your known talent?
Rod: Sorta... I first fell in love with the drums and became the drummer of my church when i was about 7. But i was pretty shy as a kid, so nobody would have ever really guessed that i'd be a performer..... i played sports all my life as well, so alot of people thought that i'd push myself towards Basketball of Football.... to tell you the truth i never even knew that i'd start rapping, but it seemed like the only way to combine the drummer in me, with everything that i was to shy to say, as well as keep my competitive nature all in one...plus i was pretty good at it! Lol
2L's: How do you feel about the what's going on with the AutoTune rappers?
Rod: Well I think it people overthink the whole situation sometimes. I mean music has no limits, so its unfair to say that NO rapper should use Auto Tune, because there are guys out there who make really good music with it.... But im also a firm believer of not just jumpin on the bandwagon and doin what every other artist is doing. especially if you end up lowering the quality of your music just to follow the trend.... when it comes down to it, AutoTune is really just an instrument. if you can play and play it good then proceed. and if not well then its probably just not for you.
2L's: Who have you worked with so far?
Rod: i actually got to work with NeYo when i was about 14.... it was a great experience for me because i got to see a great writer go to work!... i watched him go in and kill hooks back to back and even got a 101 from him about how important writting can be to your career. After that i got right to work!... now i even write all of the R&B that you hear in my songs like "Miss Ma" "Have you to Myself" "Gutta Girls" ect.I've also been blessed to work with great producers early in my career!... i think the most influential was Bink from Norfolk VA.... his credits range from Rick Ross "cigar Music" to Jay-z "All i need" "The Rulers Back" and a whooole lot more!.... he's had one of the most original sounds that I've ever heard to date, and he just really taught me alot about the game.
2L's: How do you feel about the adversity of the music culture?
Rod: I really think its all how you look at it.... To me theres both Pros & Cons about the music game right now.... alot of artist feel like the industry is messed up do to the digital world... i hear alot of guys upset because they feel like all the downloading and lack of record sales are causing labels to not sign and develope artist anymore. But on the flip side of that, the Internet and all of the downloading is giving that same artist the shot to push and get his or her music heard without a label, which is an option that wasnt available not to long ago... its all about how you flip the situation and make it work for yourself.
2L's: What impact do you feel you bring to the music industry?
Rod: Well of course i have to believe in myself and feel as if I'm "what the games been missing" and all that BS Lol... but i think the most important thing that i bring is my desire to better my skills and add something new and fresh to my craft.... i think alot of artist limit their selves because once they've found their swagg on the mic, the get content with their work. which is coo for some, but getting content scares me!..... As and artist, i know that while your getting yours, there's always somebody else hungry that wants your spot at the table..... with that said i think that great music combined with my work ethic will do the music industry justice right now
2L's: What's in your ipod right now?
Rod: Eeeeverything! lol..... if you put my i-pod on shuffle, your prolly gonna run into some Lauryn Hill, Definitely some Jay-z, some Sting....Plies.... Maaan, theres' no tellin! Lol
2L's: What can we expect from you in the future?
Rod: I'll be dropping another mixtape September 15th called "Yours Truly"!!! you'll be able to get that from my website www.Rodericmusic.com , Datpiff.com, and Hotnewhiphop.com.I also just got done shooting a TV pilot in LA for a show called "SwingHouse".... so if everything works out right you'll be seeing me weekly as an actor as well.... besides that I'm doing shows all over the country!.... you can check for dates at www.myspace.com/Rodericmusic
2L's: I see you will be on 106&park! Are you excited?
Rod: Haha, ofcourse!.... its always been a dream of mine to touch that stage!...... It kinda hasn't really hit me yet that its gonna happen, but I'll be ready when it does ;-) lol....Sept. 30th is the day, so if you'll be in the NY area, then you can get your tickets at www.BET.com !
2L's: Anything else you want the viewers to know?
Rod: I'm working for you guys around the clock, so you can get @ me anytime!!
www.RodericMusic.com
www.Twitter.com/RodericMusic
www.Youtube.com/RodericMusic
www.Myspace.com/RodericMusic
www.Ustream.Tv/RodericMusic
AIM sign in: RodericMusic
Hit me!.....100
