Roga Raph - interview

MW: Thanks once again for agreeing to this interview. Why don't we start at the very beginning - what got You into hip-hop?

RR: It was around middle school. My friend by the name Stan Ipkiss would play me all the old school heads - like Redman, Black Moon, Smif-n-Wessun, Nas, Biggie... All the greats. Initially, I was pulled into the instrumentals, I wasn't interested in the lyrics yet. Through Stan I met a guy named Lord Judah, he brought with him a beat machine, sort of a progression of an SP - it could do the same stuff. We started making beats, I got the hang of it pretty quick. I realized the producers just sample these old songs, the ones my mama used to play for example. Motown, The Soul Sisters, The Jones Girls... I started experimenting. Then I started writing, but it took some time for me to find my voice, about 10 years. It's been a journey, for sure.

MW: On one of the songs from "Visionary Shift" You say that You're a beathead first, but You didn't find anyone to provide the beats to, so You pretty much started rapping yourself...

RR: I could provide the beats to people, but... When You're making a beat, that's something You hold close, that’s Your baby. You wanna treat the beat the right way. When You give them to another rappers and they don't finesse it the way You would do it… It just feels wrong.

MW: Who was Your biggest influence when it comes to production, the way of sampling etc.?

RR: I always wanted my music to imbue that classic feeling I got from listening to aforementioned greats, this nostalgic vibe... I would definitely say Tribe, Pete Rock, Boot Camp Clik, Kanye West too.

MW: How do You prepare beats now? What's Your production method?

RR: I'm usually just using software, like Logic. I'm finding the sounds that I feel go the best with the beat. I'm always trying to find new ways to experiment - my new music is much more different, "punchy" than my old one. You have to try to grow with it, not make the stuff You're used to, challenge yourself.

MW: You also rapped that Your style is "a little bit of the old, a little bit of the old"…

RR: Hip-hop - the 90's boom bap - is old. But every new generation has something new to say. You can put Your words on that oldschool sound and it will still sound fresh. I could never veer from the 90's, that's my heart, but I'm not limiting myself - I have to try and explore the new avenues. 

MW: In the description of "Visionary Shift" on YouTube there's a funny presentation of jazz rap. Have You ever actually thought of creating a "real" jazz rap band with live instruments, like Guru or Digable Planets?

RR: Definitely, that's something I want to do in the future. Because all that sample copyright bullshit is hard to come around... It's not in my budget right now, but in the future - definitely.

MW: How do You remember creating Your first song and video?

RR: I don't even think I remember my first song! Back in the middle school, I used to mix tracks and verses. First it was just beats and very basic sampling. My first video was with Stan Ipkiss, I don't think You can find it anymore. I don't even remember how it was called - "You Don't Know"..., something like that, it had a dope sample at the beginning. We both had verses on it, it was silly, but it was good for what it was. 

MW: The first video of Yours I've seen is "Stand Up". It's an awesome tribute to The Pharcyde.

RR: Yeah, I love "Drop". We directed the video in Coney Island. I was one of the directors, I had this idea right from the get go. It's not even close to the original, which was directed by the world renown Spike Jonze... This is the idea of a struggle, really. We're all in it, we're just trying to get out. Be able to be on our own, but there are forces like the government that are pulling us back. It's all about that - keep going, stand up, never give up. 

MW: For You, what's the most important thing, when it comes to the lyrics? Is it the message, or maybe showcase of skills?

RR: I always find myself a little bit different, because my intent changed a couple months ago. I always enjoyed it as an emotional experience. I'm into art in general, I like film, I like to figure out how to get the listener to feel the certain way. I don’t necessarily want the listener to hold to the words too much, I want them to feel the flow. I love how it all comes together – the beat, the flow and the cadence. More recently I’ve become more concise when it comes to what I’m talking about. In the beginning it’s more about fun and freestyling witch some ideas, but then You want songs with concrete ideas. It’s definitely more challenging, there are different obstacles – because You still want to have this fun aspect. 

MW: On the intro to “Visionary Shift”, You say that You wanted to find a way to express yourself….

RR: When I was honing in my craft, I didn’t put out anything, I was building my material, experimenting, trying to find my voice. Then I decided it’s time to finally come out of the basement, the dungeon, to show people what I’m really about. 

MW: You just released a new album “Nostalgiks”. How would You compare it to “Visionary Shift”?

RR: I would say “Visionary Shift” was a contemplation, “Nostalgiks” is me on the path, making moves. That’s the distinction. 

MW: Can You tell us a little more about Your own label, 2inphinity?

RR: It’s still on the ground base, I’m still trying to build it up a little. Basically it’s the brand that represents the infinite inside each person, in the spiritual aspect. I’m a spiritual person, though You don’t hear that much in my music, maybe more in the new stuff. It’s kinda like a staple – people are beginning to feel more conscious in their decisions and realize there’s more to this. 

MW: Did studying art also influenced Your music and lyrics?

RR: I’ve always been doing art. I went to the art school for one year, but I realized it was just throwing money I didn’t have, so I couldn’t continue with it. I was doing illustrations – I still do. I had to prioritize – put all the money into music. You don’t necessarily have to have a degree to make art. We’re kinda brainwashed to think the schools are gonna help us, but they won’t. So I dropped and focused on the music.

MW: What’s next for You and the 2inphinity label?

RR: I’m gonna emphasize the brand a little more, and I gotta find my audience right now. I know my fans are out there, I just want to figure out where. There’s a huge spectrum of rap right now, it’s hard to find an artist that’s taking from the 90’s and bridging the gap – that’s what I’m trying to do with my music. That are the plans for the future – strengthen the brand and reach further. 

MW: Do You listen to rappers from Europe?

RR: No, never heard any European rappers – maybe sometimes on YouTube. I try not to listen to other rappers that much, so as to not be influenced by them in my own music.

MW: Do You have any message for Your fans in Eastern Europe or Poland?

RR: The main thing – do what You want to do. Many people think that it’s out of their reach, but if it’s in Your heart and that’s what You really want to do, do it. Every day, do one little thing. It’s better than doing nothing, if You do something every day, You’ll see it all come together. If You’re not taking the steps, nothing will ever come out of it, and You’re gonna be miserable. 

MW: Thanks for the interview!