Rockz Solid

The first thing you notice about Rockz Solid is her energy. From the second she walked in The Spot, where we conducted the interview during a recent show, she was shaking hands and bouncing around the room, greeting other acts and old friends. And all the love she showed was shown back to her.

The 27-year old mother of two boys, age 7 and 8, knows all about energy trying to juggle two sons, the real world job, and her music career. Rockz Solid, whose real name is Raquel Alman, handles it with the strength her stage name conveys.

I hear MC Lyte and Eve in her flow, that subtle mix of gruff and sexy, and she pulls it off flawlessly on songs like “Bring That Beat Back”. She is a student and teacher of old school hip-hop.

Class is in session.

When did you first fall in love with music?

With music, I would have to say it was like at the age 12. It was more lyrics than music that I fell in love with. Poetry, writing and then I learned to incorporate the music into it when I was like 14 or 15.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Lauryn Hill is a lot, but also Ra Digga. I really love Ra Digga, Canibus, and lot of old school hip-hop related people.

Describe your music?

My music is just authentic. There is really no description of it. I am always labeled different things; you know what I am sayin’? But I like to keep the original culture of hip-hop embedded in everything that I do as well as keep the element alive. Like my song “Bring That Beat Back”; that is pretty old school. I feel I have an old school soul even though I am still younger.

What do you want people to hear in your music?

In my music I think I want them to hear something they can relate to; something they can check themselves on, ya know what I mean? Like if I am writing a song that has a message in it, I would like them to be able to take the message, receive it and check themselves with it. How they are acting in their own life and are able to relate it in everyday life.

You are making a mix tape of your all-time favorite songs. What is the first song on it and why?

The first song on it would be Selena. “Como La Flor”. As far as Selena goes, I love the sweetness of the way she is. When she sings the song, you can hear so much passion in it. I could really just say ANY Selena song, but that is the one that I love the most.

Best performance you ever gave?

It was our album release party at the Rooftop Garden. It was just on another planet. We were on the rooftop Garden. The whole vibe; the whole atmosphere. There were only 50 people that we had there, so it was a small, eclectic crowd and there was a lot of love reciprocated. They gave it, and we gave it. There was a good vibe given that night.

Worst performance you ever gave?

I would have to say at the Miramar Theater when I first started out rocking open mics and trying to get familiar with myself on stage and stage presence. Just not a lot of good performances there.

What are some of the good things about the music scene in your area?

That is going to be a minute for me to think about. I guess I will go negative to a positive. The bad thing is the city is cliqued off but the good thing about that is the cliques are strong. So the people you can trust and depend on you can REALLY trust and depend on.

What are some of the things that need to be improved?

Everybody has this whole ‘support artists’ thing, but some people, and I am sorry for this, just shouldn’t be artists, or shouldn’t be rappers or shouldn’t even be in that lane. You can’t just say support everybody because we want to unify our city, because that’s not fair. Dude, you suck, you know what I am sayin’? I am just keeping it real. You can’t do that. Our city needs to ALL IN support someone good; better than half-way support the whole city.

Is that where Recall Wack Rappers came from?

Well, Brew-Fresh supports that movement, but that was not our movement. I think it was more of a movement of asking the good rappers to step it up, and asking the bad artists to step it up.

What is one song that describes your life?

“Baby Girl” by Sugarland. I really like country. It reminds me of my dad, who is from Texas. The song basically talks about your parents helping you make it and helping you invest and in the end, you turn around and give back to them.

One artist, alive or dead, you would want to be a song with?

I would have to say Common. I really, really respect his artistry. I think he is a Man-God. He is like God on earth. (As she smiles and apologizes to her boyfriend standing nearby). I mean lyrically the man is brilliant. He is amazing.

What was your first concert?

The first one I can really remember was the Up In Smoke Tour.

You have a love for the word “Dope”. Why is that?

Honestly, people talk a lot of shit, because I am always saying everything is dope. But to me, dope is the epitome of good. Its means something is raw. You can’t just say ‘that was nice’, if you say dope, it just holds a lot more weight.

Talk about “The Naked Truth” album.

That was an album I did with my partner Annie Mae. It was the first album we did together, and the first I really invested my time and energy into. I had two mix tapes before that, but I don’t think I put as much time and energy into it as I did the Naked Truth. It was produced only by Krazy Beatz, the Brew Fresh Records producer. I think we tried to hit a lot of conscious topics. It was a lot of deep concepts that I think people either appreciated it, or they just didn’t get it.

What gives you the confidence to step up in a male dominated genre like hip-hop?

I was always raised around a lot of guys, so I never really looked at life as female/male. My brother washed dishes just like I did. And I took out the garbage just like he did. I never felt that there was a barrier; like I couldn’t do anything I wanted to do. And I had a lot of influence from my mom. My dad was in my life; I am not going to say he wasn’t there. My mom showed me a lot of ‘you do whatever the f**k you want to do’. If have to work three jobs to make a living, that is what you will do. I never felt there was any reason I couldn’t do this.

Singer Robert King, Jr.

His silky smooth delivery and flawless vocals harken you back to a time when singers could actually SING, and not just gyrate on stage and call it talent.

Robert King, Jr. is the kind of singer that you can imagine on stage with groups like the Temptations, or the Chi-lites, or contemporary artists like Musiq Soulchild (one of his inspirations) or Anthony Hamilton. That strong Neo Soul vibe with more emphasis on talent then a look.

From his strong gospel roots (as part of a gospel group as a young boy and growing up in the church) to his strong soul flavor of today, King as always been about the music first and foremost.

When did you first fall in love with music?

I was a kid. Younger than five. My mother taught me, my brother and my sister to sing, and we became a group called the King’s Kids. Most of our lives we were known as the King’s Kids. As we got older, we changed our name to Kingdom-Bound Singers. That is where my major roots in music came from. Gospel Music.

What do you want people to hear in your music?

That I just want to have fun, you know? Laid back and relaxed. Not too much of that extra stuff, I just like to have fun.

Who are your musical influences?

Musiq Soulchild, definitely. I like Earth, Wind and Fire a lot. My dad used to play it a lot when I was younger. I never knew who it was, but as I got older, I learned to love it.

Describe your music?

My music reflects me. I am all different types; I am all over the place. Sometimes I can be mellow, sometimes I can be erratic. It’s a reflection of me.

What are you working on right now?

I have a project coming out with Lil Joe called “One Night Engagement.” It is a more pop type feel than other stuff I have done.

You are making a mix-tape of your all-time favorite songs. What the first song on it and why?

I really don’t have favorites. I just love everything. And everything I do. Some people don’t like that, but I like it all.

Best performance you ever gave?

I think 2010. I had my all team with me, and we had a lot of fun. What made it the best is we had so much fun. The video footage showed us jumping around, having a good time. That is the most energetic I have ever seen my team. Most of us are real laid-back, and we were all over the place. It’s was at a place called Dark Horse at the time. Now it is called Wings.

Worst performance you ever gave?

We did a show at Club 180 (in Oshkosh) and we weren’t very prepared. It didn’t go over too well. (laughs).

What are some of the good things about the music scene in this area?

In this area, you find all different types of music; all different types of artists. And some of the artists are some pretty cool cats.

What are some of the things that could be improved?

Everybody could work together more. I think personally we are all on the same level. No one is on BET with a deal or anything like that. So we should all embrace each other as such. And if someone gets a deal, then that is great for them. At this point in time, though, we should keep this thing going together as it is, which is fun and making music. Take the drama out of it.

One song that describes your life?

A Change Gone Come by Same Cooke. In my life I have had a lot of things that are not that good. But I keep pushing and pushing because I know a change is going to come.

One artist, alive or dead, you would want to do a song with?

Musiq Soulchild. I like his style. He is so mellow and I like the way he rides the notes and rides the beat.

What was your first concert?

Immature.

How did you make the jump from your gospel background to what you do now?

Just different stages in my life. When I was in church, I was IN it. When I lived in Milwaukee, I was in the choir called Wisconsin State Choir and we TRAVELED.  Everywhere. Some of the best experiences in my life were with that choir. When I came this way, I kind of fell out of the church life. I was dealing with myself.

From when you first started until now, what kind of change have you seen in your music?

Growth as far as the business side goes. I started when I was young. I had all the vocal training, but I didn’t have the business side.

Do you think the negativity that some venues have towards hip hop and R&B has affected your growth as an artist?

Yeah it does, but in the same vein, I am not trying to be in that scene anymore. I am trying to become more of that coffee shop artist. Smooth music; I don’t want to go to places where the speakers are too loud, with the bass banging all the time. Sometimes you just need a guitar and a vocalist. A more intimate setting. I like a smaller place. It enables you to connect with the crowd better.

When you look back on all this, what do you want people to say about you?

That I worked hard and tried to put out quality music. As far as a person, I want to be remembered as the person that was easy to get along with.

 

Toe Da Barber & DJ TOO FACE

There is probably no more polarizing figure in Fox Valley hip hop than Taurean “Toe Da Barber” Brower.

Calling himself the “best rapper in Wisconsin”, (a statement he touches upon in the interview) Toe always seems to have the spotlight on him, be it in a good or bad way. At times there are beefs and disagreements that seem to be more of a distraction than anything else, but the amazing thing is through it all, Toe reminds who he is: happy, smiling and cutting heads.

The dynamic between Toe and DJ Too Face is equally interesting. Toe is this vibrant, outgoing, powerful personality that you can’t help but notice the second he walks in a room. Too Face, well he is just a laid back brotha, unless you catch him around his people.

“You know what’s funny, man? We’re like so similar but so different at the same time. I am more focused,” Too Face said. “I will put on the charm when I have to, like when I am trying to make business moves or talking to club owners.”

With that powerful combination, Toe and Face, the heart and soul of FACE IT, continue to make great music and produce the hottest rappers in the valley. And for Toe, that is really all it is about.  

“If I get a deal, I get a deal. But the music ain’t never gonna stop for me,” Toe said. “Like T.I. said, ‘if I never would have made it, I would still have 10 albums in the hood.’ I was never in this for a record deal; I love music. Bottom line.”

When did you fall in love with music?

I fell in love with music really 5 years ago when I decided to be a rapper. That is when I first fell in love with music.

What do you want people to hear in your music?

I want them to hear real life. In my music, you hear about my personal problems, things I want to do, you hear my adventures, and the pain and the struggle that I am still going through as a human being. I want everyone to know that I am human like them and I hope my music can give them strength. I have a lot of victory songs; anthem songs. I want people to have a good time and know I am human just like them. A lot of people like to play “Superman” in their rhymes.

What do you mean by “play Superman”?

‘I’m in a Lamborghini!!!’; ‘I done been shot but I’m still alive!’ ‘I been posted up on every block!!!’ Talking about shit they haven’t been even CLOSE to doing.

Describe your music.

It’s real life, man; you know what I’m saying? Things you might see when you go to party or things you might do. I got a song called “Barbershop.” ‘I’m at the barbershop, blades go chop-chop. I ain’t Chinese; I’m tryin’ to see a couple G’s’. You know what I’m sayin? A lot of punch lines, a lot of humor, a lot of pain and a lot of fun. That all comes with my music. You may find yourself walking around the house singing one of my songs. They are catchy like that.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Too Face and Kempo, first and foremost, my two brothers. Plus, Jay Z, Nas, Mobb Deep. Cheddar boyz out of Detroit. MC Breed, a lot of Michigan rappers. Eminem, of course. But mainly my family.

You are making a mix tape. What is the first song on it and why?

Barbershop. Because that is my life, that is what I do, I am a barber. I am in the barbershop and the blades go chop chop.

Best performance you ever gave.

That is hard, man. Best performance would have to be when this record label came up and we were at Phatheads.

Worst performance you ever gave.

Worst performance was at the Fire Alarm when I performed ‘Cool Me Down’. I didn’t really know the words. With my performances, I got to be on point. I don’t even feel right if I don’t have the lyrics. I can’t even move or groove right if the words are off.

What are some of the good things about the music scene in this area?

There are a lot of fans and a lot of teens and a lot of people that are new to hip-hop and want to hear the newer hip-hop. It is a big open market that hasn’t really been reached yet. You can get a new listener every day. Another thing is that a lot of people are starting to do more things. They are trying harder to be successful. I have had people say to me “Damn, Toe, I see your grind and you encourage me to come here and rap.” That is some real shit, there.

What are some of the things that could be improved about the music scene?

More artists working together. If do things with another artist, promote that shit. For example, when this interview is done, you are going to see this on my Facebook page, like forever. We need to start doing more with each other and promoting it. You will do a song with somebody and he won’t do anything with it. One person ain’t enough in promotion and marketing.

Why do you think people around here DON’T want to work together?

For one, there are only a handful of black folks around here. Two, most of the black folks around here do hip-hop. And we just don’t want to show each other love for some odd reason. We feel like it’s going to hurt our image to say something positive about someone else. When a newcomer comes around, you are almost forced to pick a camp that you are gonna ride with.

DJ TOO FACE: It seems like when it first started, people were just happy to be doing something new and different up here. Then, as everyone started getting successful, that’s when everybody’s direction grew in different ways. Some people out there just have their own way about things. Everybody is just doing themselves now.

One song that describes your life.

Again, I have to say Barbershop. That is what I do. Every day I wake up and cut heads.

One artist, alive or dead, that you would want to do a song with and why?

Notorious B.I.G., because he represented for all the ugly brothas. (laughing) He represented for the underdogs. Because of him, brothas are able to do a little bit more than they were before because of that man.

Two part question: What do you think your reputation is now, and what do you want your legacy to be?

My rep right now for the people that know me is a hard worker. Dude that love to cut hair, and help people and have fun. For the people that DON’T know me, they probably think I’m a savage monster bully that likes to get over on people and mistreat women. My grandma used to always say ‘you got to know Taurean to love Taurean’. You got to know Toe to love Toe. If you know me, you gonna love me

Where did the nickname come from?

That came from the barbershop.

What goes through your head when you see other cats on stage?

They need to come record with Face It. I ain’t even gonna lie to you man. Everybody around here is on these Sound Click beats. Some of the hottest rappers around here are on Sound Click beats, man. IT ain’t working. 20,000 other people have that same beat, and since it’s online, you got someone saying stuff over the whole beat. It’s just sad that someone doesn’t want to come spend $100 or $150 to come get a REAL beat and some REAL production. I have always said we have the best sound in the Valley and some people took it wrong.

I see it on your Facebook all the time: “I am the best rapper in Wisconsin.” What gives you the confidence to say that?

Recording with DJ Too Face. I have written some of the craziest, hottest stuff that a man could write, and I bring it to him, and he would say “That ain’t hot; re-write it.” He did that to me so much and critiqued every word that came out my mouth; it was to the point where it just HAD to be hot. This is coming from a cat that has produced some of the hottest rappers I have heard. And THESE cats here ME and say, “That is the best shit I have heard in Wisconsin.” And then from there, in the battle raps when I killed McBang who was supposed to be the hottest in Appleton, when I did that to him on that DVD, I was like, I am running with it. I’m the best rapper in Wisconsin, let’s go. I just feel I have to confidence and the words and the work ethic to back that up, and ain’t nobody proved me wrong yet, so I’m gonna keep running with it.

Rap Artist Shaina P

"She is very talented that is for sure; man, she chased me DOWN until I took the time to look and listen to her first video. She is Shaina P, Bitch!"

That is the description given of rapper Shaina P by Elaine Larson, CEO of 100% Connections and the woman that was a huge part of the start of Shaina's career. That tenacity shown in getting herself listened to carried over into the rest of her career in both music and life.

The 22-year old mother of one (the absolutely adorable 4-year old Delianna) is not only one of the hottest newcomers on the rap scene in Wisconsin, she is also on the hottest hairstylists in the area, having just graduated from the prestigious Paul Mitchell School. She combined her love for both, writing and performing the song "Going Forward" for her graduating class.

The young Native American is ready to take the world by storm, and with the backing of Eternal Tribez, she has the moxie, talent and the drive to succeed.

After all, she IS Shaina P, Bitch.“


            When did you first fall in love with music?

When I was in middle school, I did a lot of choir stuff. And then as I got in to High School, (Oneida), we had our cultural Iroquois music classes. That is what I started off doing. When I started recording, which was with a company called Industry Works, I sang one song, and he introduced me to rap. And ever since then, that is what it has been. I was 19 when that happened.

            What made you switch to rap?          

I liked my sound when I did rap. It is more upbeat and a lot more fun for me than singing is.

            Who are your music influences?

I don’t really have any. A lot of people ask me that. I like different aspects of everybody. If I HAD to say someone specific, I would have to say Missy Elliott.  She is a bigger girl, but she still did her thing and she didn’t care; she would admit it. And she really has a different sound to her.

            What do you want people to hear in your music?

Just that I am a young, native woman and I am bringing this music to the forefront. That’s it.

            How would you describe your music?

A lot of my music is true stuff. Some of it is just about stepping out and having fun, but in a few of my songs, you can hear the strength and the sadness of my life because it is true stuff.

            You are making a mix tape of your all-time favorite songs. What is the first song and why?

Out of my own songs, it would probably be one of my new songs coming out called ‘Talk About Me’, because it is about myself not really caring what anyone thinks.

Best performance you ever gave?

For me, my best performance was probably my very first one. Not only just the fact that I GAVE it, but the great feedback I received for it. The power that I felt from the crowd was just amazing. It was at RePlay in DePere.

            Worst performance you ever gave?

One where NO ONE WAS THERE!!! (Laughing) There was like maybe five stragglers in the bar. But that was with my old manager, so that was kinda normal with him. He didn’t run his business very professionally. He would do weak advertising for shows, like only make flyers and that was it. Nothing else.

            What artist, alive or dead, would you want to do a song?

I would probably have to choose Left Eye (of TLC). Considering the group she was in, she has always stood out to me. I was little when I listened to her; my sisters would listen to her. I never knew her name when I was younger, but I would tell them I want the girl that “goes fast”. She just always had a different sound to me.

            One song that describes your life?

A song called ‘My Own Sound’. It was released on my first mix tape. IT basically tells about me and my background.

            What are some the good things about music scene in this area?

One of the good things in this area is everybody knows everybody. All the different music labels always work together and make things better for each other. My birthday party is coming up and Eternal Tribez, 100% Connections, Blitz Squad are all coming together to support each other. I think that is the best thing we can have for each other; support from each group.

What are some of the things that you think could be improved?

We need more venues. We don’t have a lot of places that hip hop and rap artists can perform at because of the public. There are a lot of fights going on and the venues are starting to shut down doing hip hop shows. There are like maybe three or four places that let us do shows around here now.

            You just recently won an award at the Dubceez Artist Appreciation Awards.

I won the ‘Hottest Newcomer for 2012’ award. It was actually a surprise that I was even nominated. I didn’t know the fan base was that big for me. Once that happened, I pushed that like wildfire. It was everywhere. It was a lot of fun.

            What was your first concert?

My dad took me and sister to see Jessica Simpson. I was 10 years old.

            Where do you get your inspiration when you are writing?

Half of it is from the beat; how the beat sounds. The rest is from what kind of song I want based on what is going on around me at the time.

            Your new mix tape is called ‘Talk About Me’. Tell me about that.

My first was called ‘My Shine’. That was my coming out party. I wanted that spotlight. This one, I want people really getting me there and spreading the word about Shaina P. I have had stuff happen with my old manager and he is throwing some things out there now, really hating on me, so I am like ‘talk about me, I don’t care’.

            Tell me about Eternal Tribez.

Eternal Tribez is run by Kevin Peters. I met him when I was cage cashier at the Oneida Casino, he was the shift leader. At that time I was just recording for fun, I wasn’t doing shows or anything. I gave him my CD and a couple weeks after that, we teamed up and started doing bigger things. I was with ET for a while, and that was when I met Jay from Midwest Entertainment. I went from ET to Midwest for about a year, and then Jay started slipping, and Kevin let me come back home to ET.

            Moving forward, what do you want to gain out of this business?

I want to get respect as a female artist. I know I have a lot of that already, but a lot of people think because we are females, we can’t do it. I have been questioned before about how I feel about competition with the other female artists around here. I don’t really feel there is competition, but I do feel that there is….not really jealously, but there is something there where you have to be dominating in this. That is pretty much what I want. Respect as a female artist.