When I first was introduced to RoQ’y TyRaiD’s music, I was DJing at a venue he was performing at that night. I noticed who he was when he tried to slang his project to me after his performance. At home the next day I asked my husband LES735 who this performer was. Les plugged in RoQ’y TyRaiD’s CD and let me listen to him. Honestly, because of other people’s pressure, I allowed my mind to reject such a talented artist the night of his performance. I had the privilege to sit in on a freestyle session one day at Rhyme & Reason Radio in which I was able to capture a bit of RoQ’y TyRaiD’s flair. His lyrics captured my interest, how quickly he was able to transform something that wasn’t written by hand, but from his mind into the mic.
After a few weeks of listening to his music and getting to know RoQ’y, I realized he really isn’t as cocky as people make him out to be. To me, he has always been a very pleasant individual to talk to and be around. Now I have more of an aspect of what his music is about after I had the advantage to interview him. He has a lot more to extend if you allow his music to enter your world. His lyrics come as a “slap in the face” to different Hip Hop heads. My perspective of him was actually a humorous one, because his verses were funny but very truthful.
RoQ’y TyRaiD’s music is definition of lyric feeling; enthusiasm, especially when unrestrained or exaggerated. This description is how I can illustrate what you can look forward to when listening to him. Yes, his music can be a bit of a lash out to many people, but he tells a sense of truth. Music went from balanced to a horrible misbalance, so let us let the Millennium Man bring the music back to a balance. You will relate to it, shout it, bump it & then share it!
(RoQ’y! You better not be wearing headphones when I’m spinning! Just kidding!)
Questionnaire by MayraE
Name? RoQ’y/TyRaiD aka The New Millennium Man, Alias: Vanguard of the Real Hip Hop Movement
Born & Raised? San Diego, CA, raised between there and Santa Clarita, CA
Any Affiliations? Myself, and I am a very picky free agent. Formerly of the renowned Tak Ovr Ent of the IE, CA. 909, Space Ghost is still here! Aligned with the P.O.D. (Panel of Death) Consisting of Skyyhookradi, SenicaDaMisfit, ThroatChopU, HiphopandBs, LGDanjah, OCsupreme, & Headkrack. From artists to consider it a Board of like minded warriors.
What was your motivation to make music? I am such a hip-hop head and ardent lover of music. I went from imitation to interpretation, to originality, seamlessly. I’d say further motivation came from the demise of my beloved culture. Seeing the “new generation” take the reins and fall flat on their face. Other parts of me are motivated by the opportunity to convey my thoughts and feelings into something tangible in which people could relate.
I guess Life in all its aspects provides motivation.
Describe your style for a public audience, if they have never heard you before. The perfection of lyricism, wordplay meets subject matter that’s pleasing to the ears or is it subject matter that meets wordplay?? I’m not as cocky as that sentence made me out to be but when people say “lyricist” you automatically ASSUME it’s just a bunch of rappity-rap nonsensical babble. Rapping about “floating-chairs-and-immortal-bears-staring-through-the-eye-of-osirus” type crap. Negative.
Describe The New Millennium Man. I’ve grown to coin this: “The New Millennium Man is an artistic test of strength.”
I should have made that a part of the title, huh?
Anyways, I consider it a return to the original mix-tape format. A mix-tape project that could easily be called an album. You see, many-a-rapper have strayed from what is considered a “mix-tape”. Everybody thinks it’s fashionable to take the hottest song on the radio and do their little rendition. Gross. Let’s add another “negative” there, thanks. Nobody wants to hear YOU rap over “a milli”, as well or “bmf” or whatever the kiddies listen to, these days.
Okay, I’m done ranting. Original Material Courtesy Of Dn³, Rie$go, and The Baron Boys. Other than that, a complete return to the mix-tape format. I won’t tell you the songs I “NMM”ed but you can rest assured I pay my homage CORRECTLY. Matter fact, much love to those artists and producers for shaping me as a growing Hip-Hop head in my youth, all respect. Apologies, you seem to be interviewing TyRaiD today, Mayra ha-ha.
Your favorite song off your album? You can’t ask me a question like that! Hahaha… You know, it changes over time but, I’d say one that will always be one of my favorite songs, period, is “Children of Men”. Its number 9 on the project you should listen, I’m told it’s cool *thumbs up*
How do you build your lyrics? Is it something visual in your mind? I enter my own world and interact with formulas, it varies. I could see a puzzle or it could be a mental conversation with myself or I could even see the sounds. As weird as that may appear to you, I find this is the most convenient way to write, “Memawrite”. It’s with me everywhere I go and it is consistently challenging. Think it’s been over a good 4 ½ years since I’ve touched a pen & pad, to do so would feel like cheating, at this point ha-ha!
Your music video “Woosah”, what is the cause behind this track & video? Well, to nutshell it, true-to-life things that drove me over the edge. I remember first hearing the track, I was a second away from spazzing out, that day and the familiar “1 2 3 4 5” came on. It felt like an instructional chant, subconsciously, the rest went from there. I then detailed previous events. I hope this song invokes personal experiences from my listeners, of when they were nearly driven over the edge ha-ha! Wooosaaaahhhh!
What gives you the energy to promote your music to the community? The feeling that I’m really doing what I love. That is crazy. I remember people looking at me like, “You want to be what? A rapper?!” Now I see the progress. I hear myself on the radio, I see the fans wiling out beside me at the shows. The warm embraces from them and great conversations afterwards. The love, it’s definitely the love that keeps me energized, above all.
Do you feel any support from the public? YES!!! Crazy! And they aren’t just people’s friends and FAM. Everyday that I see even the SLIGHTEST progression is a blessing and to say I haven’t even gotten started yet is an understatement. Who knows what the future holds, y’all! Forward, we march!! I understand I have some sort of responsibility now, as an artist. I’m starting to feel the welcomed burden of people’s dependencies on me to do something great with the Culture, resting on my shoulders, but with that I feel empowerment, I aspire to exceed hopes using my experiences in life and skill of conveying as a tool! I can only imagine what it will be like 6 months from now, let alone a year. I’m in a blessed position.
Your definition of an “artist” & a “musician”? Both, an artist because I display my expressions for the public a musician because I create real music. An artist creates music, therefore, its one in the same.
If you had the chance to change music in this decade, what would it be? Well, this decade is just beginning. I intend on helping restore balance. As terrible as it may sound, I believe in “necessary evil” when it comes to acoustic expression. Meaning: We had nothing but dope, forward-thinking hip-hop, before, till escapism broke the barrier and turned the tides. Eventually overpowering hip-hop, coupled with corporate take over’s, of course. At one point in time, though, there was the perfect balance on the radio. You had great hip-hop music, and mindless party tracks, you could spaz to. Now there’s an overabundance of the latter and with that, the expectations have lowered and the standard has all but disappeared, I’m here as the anomaly.
Any particular artists/musicians that you support? All true hip-hop heads who know the artistic balance and how to exert them-selves. I stopped shouting people out I respect because some of them start acting funny. Then I contemplate wasting energy attempting to behead them instead of being progressive. So here’s a One Love to everyone!!!!!
Why do you wear your headphones at a show or bar? Hahahaha!! Because I like listening to my own music and doing creative writing. Sometimes a particular thing I may see or an experience I end up having in a public environment may trigger ideas. So, instead of being a complete weird-ass and pulling out a small pad and pen like a retro journalist, I put the pod out, put the buds in, turn it to max and plug in.
Also, sometimes, the music at the particular spot may garbage-with-a-French-accent. I don’t have to and refuse to be subjected to someone’s “turrible” DJing.
Why do you hate promoters? Wooaahhhh!! I don’t hate promoters, at ALL! Ha-ha, who said that??? Ha-ha! I LOVE promoters, they bring me like-minded listeners. Matter fact, promoters hit me up roqytyraid@gmail.com lets talk about my tour and your venue. There aren’t a lot of artists that can kill a stage for dolo like I can. Don’t put your money against it, just paypal it my way and get it over with! KAPOOWW!!
Fill in the blanks:
Music is__________? Life
My music is__________? The expression of a mad genius
My goal in music is__________? To create workings that perpetually gives back to the culture
Do you have any new projects coming up? The Dichotomy of RoQ’y/TyRaiD
Also, check me out every Friday on Redy Set Radio www.azthebeat.com for “RoQ’y/TyRaiD @ The Podium, A Musical Editorial” it is an indefinitely running series where I discuss the previous weeks issues and events which are relevant to our Culture and society, in general!! Previous weeks can be found on www.roqy-tyraid.com
Future Shows/Events? The New Millennium Man Tour. Look for it in your area. Also continue to check for “The Bar Exam” hosted by myself and the P.O.D. We throw artists through rings of fire, give them 5 point inspections and then put them behind the podium for listeners to hear and fall in love with, musically.
Any last Motivation/Words for your Readers? Continue to seek knowledge of self; you are the greatest tool in your possession. To survive is to die, so instead, live.
I know some may “look up” to people in this profession and bestow them some pretentious, exalted status. Leave that at the door, when it comes to me. I’m just one of y’all and I’m not hard to reach: www.twitter.com/RoQyTyRaiD,www.facebook.com/RoQyTyRaiD, come say what’s up!!!
