Mr. Rozzi has been rhyming since ‘87. Rozzi formed Dutch Mastas in ’95 and
released the selftitled
EP in ‘96. Mr. Rozzi then released the long awaited solo
project in mid ’98 called Wa Overdue (also in vinyl). After traveling and “paying
dues” to the hip hop community, the self proclaimed BLACKBEARD da
VOYAGER returned with a maxisingle
12 inch Actors : (also in vinyl) in late ’99.
Following that project up with “Dominion Eargasm #1” in 200
After becoming an official member of Spot Rushaz in 2001, Mr. Rozzi
released the highly anticipated CD Mistaken ID (also in vinyl) setting a new
standard in the art of rap music. After the mixtape The last UnicornUNCUT
, Mr.
Rozzi returned with the 34 minute DVD… The Good Sun. The mini autobiography
of this seasoned veteran receives rave reviews and also contains a bonus (10 song
soundtrack).
The 2006 CD titled Hard to Swallow, the MIXTAPE , is 26 tracks
highlighting Mr. Rozzi collaborating with some of N.C.’s most talented artist and
beat makers. This project includes the forever classic “Black Liquor”.
In preparation for the new full length (20 track) CDtitled
Finally….A Hip
Poet REVISED, Mr. Rozzi has shot 3 music videos. Not being camera shy since
making an appearance in the indie film The Devil’s Game : a christian/ horror
/comedy /flick in ‘03, Rozzi is prepped for the camera. Mr. Rozzi now arrives with
the single “i LOVE Miself”. The feel good vibe here is very positive and catchy.
Also listen for the emotional “Whateva it Takes”, the clever “magic #” and the high
voltage “Positive Energy”. The music videos are “Whateva it Takes” featuring
Amaris . The very fun and colorful “i LOVE Miself” and the cartoonishhigh
octane “Long Ride” where Mr. Rozzi is the only human in the video and the whole
set is constructed of only cardboard!!! With the release of MR. ROZZI &
FRENZ….The Music mixtape and accompanying “Favorite Thingz” visuals shows
his brilliant music videos are now the high standard of what Mr. Rozzi has up his
sleeve…along with playing a villain in the 2014 “24 Hours ” the movie by Soul City
Films. mi iconic selfie MIXTAPE with several music videos is now here!
1. What up Mr. Rozzi ,Tell us whats in a name?
Peace.Thank you for the opportunity fam. I wanted to switch mi name from KSlice,
KD.E.F., KenKen….
wanted something that stood out more. Made up about 10names & narrowed it down to 3 and asked some homies had they heard Mr Rozzi’s record and they were like no but that’s a fresh name then I said that’s me… and they all were like YO! Run with that. Initially, it was Razzi but when I left Cignature Records I changed it to Rozzi. It’s a persona, Blackbeard da Voyager aka Kooool Kat.
2. Ok interesting stuff, now you’ve been grinding out for a time in this game. How have you seen
change in your eyes and does it influence your ultimate goal for Mr. Rozzi?
Definitely less respect for the art on the mainstream level now. Seems that the
content and the time spent creating a hot/classic record is not there. You can tell
that by the subject matter that’s prevalent on the radio…even in the daytime. One of
mi goals….get worldwide recognition for being a dope MC…an overall great artist, plus being an
actor and model.
3. We checked out your new mixtape Mr. Rozzi which is now available for our readers, and it got tons of dope flavor too it. A lot of different sounds and a lot of bangers that can
resonate with all sub genres of hiphop fans out there. Which song is your favorite
and why?
Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say “Black Liquor”! One of 4 reintroduced tracks
tracks on this mixtape. “i LOVE Miself” is instant classic with worldwide appeal.
O.I.C. has that EDM/Trip Hop feel. “a ‘lil fun” is up there because it’s serious yet
playful….but “Black Liquor” is raw. alot of word play. ‘Everywhere I look i notice
something different, than I seen from last time, that I heard from last rhyme, last
line, I heard’em yell I’ll talk to you later kooool, now another black youth statistic
on paper, oooohh’…
Listen/Download Mr. Rozzi: http://wp.me/p1RGnd-6FC
4. One of our favorite joints from you is the head nodding “NC State”. It has an early
Outkast type of feel to it. A lot of solid bars, boom bap drums and that southern
charm to it. How did that record come about and how have the people of NC been
rocking with it?
Bless that! It’s been crazy. I always put on for mi city so once Dark Park played the
instrumental for me, I just had to rep the whole state. It just flowed effortlessly.
Shouting out the places I frequent in North Kak and wanting the world to know
about them. Sean DeBar had just came back from Abu Dhabi and shot the visuals.
We just gassed up and rode for 15 hours throughout the state and made it happen.
We recorded a remix with the homie R’mone Entonio to add the R&B flavor. The
feedback has been extremely exciting. Alot of thank yous. Alot more gigs booked off
the strength of that record. Alot of people from out of state hitting me like this song
makes them realize how much they miss NC. So we just dropped the video the
middle of August out of the blue 🙂
because we can do things like that.
5. Your sound isn’t what we been hearing from Southern artists as of late. Which is a
compliment (laughs). It’s not trap music.. it has depth, bars and substance. Is it safe
to say your influence has been golden era sounds and earlier southern emcees that
make you who you are today?
No doubt. east coast pioneers. I’m a student of KRS, Slick Rick, XClan,
De La Soul,
MC Lyte and WuTang.
Eightball & MJG, Killer Mike and Mystikal. Of course
Hiero crew & Souls of Mischief
6. A lot of your songs that accompany Vannessa Ferguson really make a complete
track. Word is you guys have a joint project going down. Can you shed some light
on that and let us know what it’s about to come?
Ahhh Yea… Borris and Natashaa. Playing off the old cartoon characters where I’m
real cynical and comical while dropping knowledge while being destructive. Vanessa
is rhyming aggressive and direct while constantly spitting wisdom while being fly.
Plus she sings 1st and foremost. We are a couple, we have fun traveling the globe
tearing stages up. This will definitely be the best collab since The Fugees. She’s
phenomenal. We got about 7 records together that’s ready. “we soarin”, “Regular”
remix and now “N da Jungle” on that DD37 MIXTAPE hosted by Slaine. Our
chemistry is like no other… Borris and Natashaa
7. Who were your personal influences to get into this music biz?
I would have to say PayRoll Record, the incredible DJ Polo, Ski Beatz, Jarrell
Crump, Little Brother. Mi parents always supported and pushed me to keep doing
what I love. Big Ski, Lamont Foxx and Spot Rushaz….peeps making moves.
How would you describe the current sound and musical landscape of NC?
There’s a ton of talent. I’ll put them up against any state. Beats and lyrics. We just
got to get that unity. We got hardcore, message music & fun stuff. All bases are
covered. There’s an abundance of LIVE venues to showcase talents as well.
8. You have been dropping videos like crazy off of your new mixtape. What’s next to
come video wise?
Yea, we shot the “Regular” on The Great Wall of China! “Mean 16” was hella fun
with mi Big Kat family in Las Vegas, UpRite Lions. Out of 12 songs on ‘mi iconic
selfie’, we got visuals for 8! Working on a treatment now for “Time Don’t Have
Handz” for mi full length album. Real conscious record. I got a big record with
Killah Priest, we might shoot something for that too. A super underground record i
got called “Hip Hop is Not DEAD” will get some visuals. But for you all……we got
the world premier for “N da Jungle” by Borris and Natashaa feat: Ayo
With a few months left in 2015, what is on the agenda for Mr. Rozzi?
Well, the movie ‘24 HOURS’ I am in went from nation wide at RedBox to now being
on Movies on Demand. Soul City Films and Alyze Elyse…good looking out! Just shot
a part for ‘In the Flowers’, it will be out next year. Finding a home for mi “i LOVE
Miself” clothing line is on the agenda. It sells extremely well.
9. Do you have your own label? If so please shed some light on the company, let us
know about any other artists, etc.
We independant…I run with the KFE brand right now…promotes shows, invest in
artist like miself, Vanessa Ferguson who is currently on a 4 month Holland
Cruise/BB Kings tour. J’Da Prynce who just did a massive 3 plus year overseas
tour. Chicago poet and activist Amaris Selah who I collaborated with on catchy
“Whateva it takes” song/video. Providing an outlet for entrepreneurs like Vennys
Vintage Expo by means of a monthly Poets vs Rappers Showcase in NC called the
‘Mean 16’….yea we be grinding.
10. How do you feel about the current state of HipHop? What’s great about it and
what’s lacking?
Mi gripe is with the major radio stations. Not enough diversity. Hip Hop has always
had alot of power and impact on the community so if we don’t feed our
people/children a balanced diet…then we will be on a path not fitting to the
upliftment of the next generation. I love the fact that cats are battling on records
again….that’s Hip Hop without a doubt.
11. Any official albums on the way?
Finishing up the #MrKnowItAll album produced entirely by Dark Park. It will be
out next year. We’ll keep recording for the Borris and Natashaa joint album.
Vanessa’s full length should be out next year.
12. What’s the 5 year plan for Mr. Rozzi?
See “mi iconic selfie” is more than about me… It’s Mr. Rozzi and Frenz. Great collaborative efforts. Feel good music.
Have mi clothing line on a large scale for the public, more movie roles (have been in 7 movies), more videos (of course), get back into more modeling….I turned down several offers because I would not cut mi beard….figure that!
13. It was good chopping it up with you homie and we look forward to hearing more. You have a
lot of depth and substance in what you do and we want to hear more. With that said, the floor
is yours, give any shout outs, any plugs.. the floor is yours…..
1 love. Mi family, mi kids, Vanessa Ferguson. Mi video teams: Live Wire studios, Sean DeBar
Lipsey, Rukiya Shantell, DJ Juice, Les Butchart (Highway 29 Motion Pictures). Mi musical fam:
SpotRushaz, Dark Park, Bobby TurnBuckle, Abyss, UpRite Lions, DJ Dark, The Kitchen
Mastering, Roc 1stinFlite Beats, Baby Love, Jason Easter, Ayo, Bakwoodz, Greg Illa, Devaron,
Short Fuse, Crook Sounds, Josephus/Poetry Cafe and DJ Precise. The Advocate and the whole
Digital Dynasty Mixtape series. Thankz for putting “Mean 16” on DD36 Hosted by U-God and
“N da Jungle” on DD37 Hosted by Slaine. wwwYoutube.com/mrrozzi13