Jay and Self Taught of Boom Bap Renaissance recently spoke with Rockness Monstah about his current relationship with Sean P. and the other members of the Boot Camp Clik, the history behind Monstah Mondays, how producers can get at the artist for submitting beats, and more in this in depth interview. Read all about it here.
Boom Bap Renaissance: First and foremost, what section of Brooklyn, do you represent?
Rockness Monstah: Brooklyn's robbery capitol.. Brownsville!!!
When did you first start rhyming?
I wrote my 1st rhyme when I was eleven and it was the only rhyme I had for that whole year. I wrote another 1 at age 12 so then I had 2 rhymes for that whole year (laughs). Then I started writing for real!
I wrote my 1st rhyme when I was eleven and it was the only rhyme I had for that whole year. I wrote another 1 at age 12 so then I had 2 rhymes for that whole year (laughs). Then I started writing for real!
How did Heltah Skeltah come together? What year?
That's actually kind of hard to answer! We were rapping together for awhile but hadn't become an official group! We solidified our partnership in '92 while I was incarcerated during a phone call! Our mothers knew each other so we were always like.. "play cousins". We started doing dumb shit in the streets together around 89-90 though! suntn like dat!
Who started rhyming first, you or Sean Price?
I believe I started rhymin 1st. I'm sure I took it serious 1st!!!
Although you and Sean Price eventually reunited and put out the D.I.R.T album a few years ago, what caused you and your partner to split after releasing your 2nd album Magnum Force?
We didn't split. We just had shit to do! I had a solo deal. Well actually 2 of them, back to back. One with Priority Records.. the other with Geffen! They didn't work out though! He was workin' wit DuckDown on his solo shit!!! It just put us in 2 different places. It was DUCKDOWN I split from!!!
What brought you and Sean Price back together?
Nothing.. it was just time!!!
Rock, when Nocturnal first came out, it seemed like you were the most popular one out of Heltah Skeltah. When Sean Price went solo, a lot of heads started saying that he was better than you lyrically. How did you feel about that?
I dont give-a-fuck about dat! He was a beast when we 1st started they was just sleepin on him. I used 2 hate that!!! Now they don't!!! And I'm glad about that!!! Now I just gotta give'm some more Rock shit!
Sean Price even mentioned it in a lyric in one of his songs. Did you take offense to it?
No!
Who in your opinion is the nicest MC in whole Boot Camp Clik?
Me of course!!! (smiles and laughs). Seriously though I can do so many different things with words its crazy!!! My versatility is BEASTLY!!! Stayed tuned you'll see.
Have you ever had a serious battle with anyone in the Boot Camp Clik. If so, with who and who won?
No!!.. Serious arguments yes.. serious Battles.. NO!!! NEVER!!! Never even crossed our minds!!! "We don't lyrically spar par dass no real fun/Our barz killer.. its like playin paintball wit real gunz"!!! (Rock Quote)
Back when the LeFlaur Leflah Eshkoshka single came out, there was suppose to be a Fab 5 album coming out.Whatever happened to that? Would you be down to do one now?
Not true.. we never planned on doing a Fab 5 album till years later! We just did Leflaur 2 bum rush the scene right quick!!! We did record a Fab 5 album years later though. I have NO idea where those songs are!!!! Yes I would do one now!!!
How is your relationships with some of other members of the BCC?
My relationship is pretty close to excellent with all BCC members!!!
If I'm correct, Louieville Sluggah from OGC left the BCC. Do you speak with him often or is there tension between him and the rest of the BCC?
Louieville left?!?! You cant just stop being a part of a family! It just don't work like dat! You can do your own thing n all that.. you can choose not to do certain things with your family, but you cant stop being family with your family!!! Did you hear the song "Multiply" (Multiplication) off my MonstaMonday series? Louie caught a body on that song right along with the rest of his BOOTCAMP brethren!
As an artist, where does most of your money come from? Guests/features? Album sales? Merchandise or show money?
The answer to dat question changes all the time. Sometimes its shows.. sometimes its features.. you know. I'd catch a headache trying to give you a definitive answer on that one!
Have you ever worked with anyone outside of the BCC just for the love or is it mostly strictly business when it comes to collaborations?
Some artists I support so whole heartedly .. I just be wanting to help out. So I work wit'm for free, or I might be real cool with them. VERY FEW though, I think 900 out of 1000 rappers are wack honestly!!! But even the artists I support or am cool with can't just get an endless supply of free verses!!!! You get one, then you gotta pay! This is still a business!!
Regardless of the money, would you ever turn down the opportunity to be a featured guest on a project of someone else and if so, why?
If for some strange reason I don't like you personally it's a no go!!! I'm bout to start charging wack niggas extra. For the pain and suffering I go through working with wackness!!! (laughs) (step ya'll bars up.. hip hop needs it)
What other MC/MC's would you like to work with that you haven't worked with already?
Right now...None of'm!!! I get the feeling a lot of rappers either don't like me, or are intimidated by me!! Not sure why!! Maybe I offended them in a punchline or something and for whatever reason they never approach me and ask me about it! Chances are I didn't mean to offend'm... it was just a dope punchline!!! Rappers are so sensitive! On the other hand, if somebody wanna work wit me then obviously they rocks wit me so I'm game. Lets get it!!
Who is your favorite producer that you like to work with?
I don't have a favorite producer!!! I just like hot beats!!!
Do beat makers usually send you material or do you go after particular producers for your project?
Dudes send me beats all the time. I holler at any producer I run into though. Let'm know I need that heat!!!
What is your process for selecting beats?
Simple. I just listen. Nothin' fancy. Well, when it's a beat CD opposed to an email it gets a lil' more interesting!!! If shit is REAL wack I tend to eject da cd and launch dat bitch. See how far it fly without wings! (laughs).
How can any up and coming producer get in touch with you to solicit beats to you?
Contact info is on my website..ROCKNESS.NET. I'm on twitter @_ROCKNESS_ producers can hit me there!!!
Tell us more about Monsta Mondays?
Monsta Mondays was something I started to arouse new interest in myself, where I dropped a song or freestyle every Monday for 44 weeks! I also started doing an Internet radio show on Beatminerz radio with the same name. Monsta Monday which is still running. Now I'm throwing parties on select Monday nights as well. I want it to become the new Monday hotspot where people come have fun and network while listening 2 great hip hop... ON A MONDAY!!! Make Mondays enjoyable!
What's next for the Rockness Monsta in 2012?
Expect my ALBUM in 2012!!!!
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