Well let’s start from the beginning, where did you grow up?
I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and lived there till I was 9. Then I moved to Houston with my family and have been there ever since.
What inspired you to get into music and how old were you?
When I was 9 years old studying in 3rd grade, I got my first acoustic guitar and loved it and played on and off ever since. I was big on skateboarding back then so I would always have my CD player and headphones with me when I skated. When those headphones were in, I used to feel like I was in a different world and a much better place.
Have you released any acoustic songs?
“Carol of the Strings” - Do check it out on YouTube!
Wow! My next suggestion was an acoustic rap. So in your words, how would you describe the music that you create? What genre is it and what’s your particular style?
Even though I’ve been around music since I was a kid, I started officially making music in 2015 because I was always too busy being involved with sports. But now in 2019, I feel like I finally have developed my true sound, which to me is a mix of genres between metal/deathcore and Hip Hop. In 2019, I started recording over my own beats, adding my live guitar to hip hop style trap drums.
Then out of nowhere, you might actually hear an actual drum set in the live metal parts of the song. I like keeping the listeners on their toes. So when I perform live, I have an actual band play those live metal parts. But as far as writing is concerned, I like to show people the metal side of me and how heavy my music can actually be. Then, I’ll switch it and go back to spitting a hot sixteen just to remind the listener that I’m a professional rapper as well.
Nice! Versatile! It seems you have the perfect blend of rap and metal with a lot tried and failed.
On a side note, what sport did you play and where?
I played football (Quarterback) for Spring Woods high school in Houston, Texas.
Then I also did Track and Field (Shot Put and Discus) and was ranked in the top 10 in the country in 2011-12. So I got a full ride to throw shot put and discus at Texas State University from 2012 to 2016 where I was a two-time conference champion in the sunbelt conference.
That’s great! Moving on, what inspires you to create these days?
What inspires me is to give people something real to hold on too and relate too. I want my music to give people hope and believe in themselves and maybe question what they really want in life and chase their life goals and dreams. My music isn’t for the club, it’s for the soul.
So that’s the central message you give to your fans?
Aye, that’s what’s up! I think I give them a message of hope. To live in a world that’s broken and still lift your head up and dry those tears and keep moving and strive to do whatever you’re passionate about.
Joyner Lucas
J. Cole
Caskey
Hopsin
Where is your favorite place to perform?
I like performing in the House of Blues in Houston. My favorite show/performance was in Austin at SXSW.
What do you do in your free time outside of music?
Work out, kickboxing, running! Go to the movies or go shopping.
If there was a school that taught indie artists how to be successful, what classes should they take?
Self-Marketing class and Booking classes to help them understand how they can get booked to do shows at good quality venues.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve been given is to simply be myself and stop trying to chase other peoples’ sounds. Develop your own sound, create your own lane for other people to follow. Be a game-changer, and ever since I did that I’ve been happy with the artist I’ve become and where my music is at. I gave myself that advice.
If you could change anything about the industry what would it be?
I would just like to change the culture, in general, and help put an end to the belief of praising and glorifying the drugs, ass and materialistic things. Like that stuff makes you happy for only so long but it’s temporary. We need something that will impact the hearts and souls of our generation and the next one. We need real role models that will inspire these kids to be the best they can be in all aspects of life and motivate them to believe in themselves and go towards whatever they’re passionate about in this life.
And finally, what’s next for Rome?
I plan on doing a lot more shows in 2020 and having new music news and visuals dropping like crazy and really getting my sound out there. I’m working on continuing to grow my fanbase and growing my brand. 2020 will be a big year for me, I can feel it!