Hip Hop is international, baby. When a Canadian (DJ Chong Wizard) hooks up with an Italian (Roc Beatz) to remix some of New York’s Boot Camp Clik’s best tracks, you know it’s gone global. Producer Roc Beatz is definitely on the come up after the much talked about Tonz of Gunz (Boot Camp Clik Remixes) mixtape [listen here] hit the Net a couple of weeks ago. We had the chance to catch up with Roc and learn what he’s all about. Check it out…
Where You Reppin:
I rep Venice, Italy. The real one with the water, canals, big rats and all, no Vegas casino shit. Ancient traditions, new issues, immigration, locals who don’t like change. Tensions between old aristocrats and young cats from diverse backgrounds. In Italy everything is on a different scale but there are parallels with the US. The cool thing is that Hip Hop has reached every corner of the world, from Detroit to small towns on the Mediterranean. It’s all about your state of mind. The strength of this culture is truly incredible.
Introduce Yourself:
Matteo Roc Beatz aka Dj Shocca. 30 yrs old. 100% dedicated to that thick, wholesome sound. Funky beats straight out of an Emu SP and Akai. The good old way. Soul samples and bastard bass loops. Love to dig to find the top. It’s the cure when I am sad or pissed, find and steal sound from obscure, wonderful records. My crew is Unlimited Struggle Fam, we drop bombs that never fail, we have something to say, no bullshit, no ass kissing. The Hip Hop market in Italyis so small that going mainstream it’s not even worth it. You end up getting screwed with nothing in your pocket.
Current projects we should be looking out for:
I have this mixtape with Chong Wizard where I remix bombs by Boot Camp Clik, no mercy. Smif N Wessun participated with the hosting and also dropped an exclusive joint, which was great. Last year I produced Edo G and Special Teamz (“Classical”). In Italy I am always on the move with the best MCs in the game, tapes, album cuts and singles. Take a listen to what we do down here – you’ll be surprised. Some of our producers are no worse than the best US beatmakers. Big ups to my partner Frank Siciliano, Don Joe and Shablo.
Main musical inspirations:
Primo and Pete Rock, for sure. The whole East Coast sound of the 90’s has influenced me, as it did for one million other European producers. I think the way US producers do things these days hasn’t really worked in Europe, it doesn’t belong to us. Here people love that dirty, gritty booming sound. Club music here is no crunk, but Electro House etc. In underground clubs you still hear Large Pro, Hi Tek, Khrisys, Kev Brown, Lord Finesse, Alchemist. You know the others right?
If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?
I think the intro for my first Italian record: 60 hz with a loop taken from Pink Floyd and cuts that fully describe who I am. We have used the same beat on Tonz Of Gunz, for the Crystal Stair remix. A sample full of struggle and hard rocking drums. That’s it.
Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?
Because I proudly represent a certain type of sound and attitude that people are losing, a vibe that is hard to convey. Most times today’s boom bap beats have that nasty throwback, sound like they are imitating themselves. How did we get here?
What’s next for you?
I want to work more and more in the States and produce bombs for people like Termanology, Evidence, Bootcamp. Hit me up! This is the Hip Hop I love and what motivates me to make beats. As far as Italy is concerned, I have just launched our label to release monthly bombs in limited edition with incredible packages, special prints and T-Shirts to fully support digital distribution.
Desert Island Hip Hop: If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?
Jeru – Wrath Of The Math
Any shout outs or last words?
Big shouts and respect to Chong W mixmaster champ, D’Angelo from 159 (mastermind behind this muthafucka), you and your blog, precious source of info and music not reviewed in printed HH media. Check www.unlimitedstruggle.com in a few days for new beats, songs and videos from my camp. For more info and collabos shoot an email to D’Angelo (en@159management.com).
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
the italian “rap game” really sucks. maybe this dude can change that. i really hope so.
pace, fratello!
Good Lookin out on the interview Kevin! ROC BEATZ and the whole Italian Job got them ill beats! This is just an introduction… you gonna be hearing a lot more from the whole ITALIAN JOB camp!
big ups 2 chong wiz roc beatz kn and italian job!!! shablo and don joe wat up! i see ya d’angelo!!!
damn. this kids beats are serious!!!
like damn, straight head nodders
Wonder why he picked Wrath of the Math.
Other than that, great interview. Nice to see some insightful answers.
He’s pretty dope though. I listened to that remix project and will continue to listen. I definitely think he can step it up a notch though. Tidy things up here and there.
No doubt a dope product though
@Sean Deez
Why he choose Wrath Of The Math?,
because it’s a classic album by Jeru The Damaja. Dummy.
that’s one of my favorite albums
but as for as this cats goes, he looks wack. i think he looks like a wigger. what’s up with the pink bandana. is he in a fag gang? anyone. fucking homo.
i think dude is a fucking poser. why is every wack white mother-fucker trying to rap. stop it already. stop trying to take from my culture you never belonged to. you started rapping yestertday mother-fucker. who told you wack mother-fuckers you can rap. i think whoever is gassing your head up should stop and be shot on site. then shoot you afterwards.
no love for you white boy rappers. a lot of you mother-fuckers are faking, fronting and posing. there’s only a few that i can count in my hand that got skills on the mic. and eminem isn’t one of them. you assholes. never that. fuck eminem and the rest of you white boys.
get the fuck out of the culture you mother-fuckers and the record companies you own and run are fucking up the culture we call Hip Hop for too long now.
@The Question Remains?
You sir, just earned your self a ban from the site. Your negative comments do nothing for the hip-hop culture and your presence here is just a waste of space.
Dammit, where’s the BAN button when I need it… lol
@ Question Remains?
Maybe u outta dig in some crates a little, cuz from hip hop day 1 dj’s & producers have chopped & flipped records written, composed, and performed by WHITE BOYS!!! I know a few white mc that’ll destroy whatever it is you think u do patna… off tha top of their dome too. I think you owe kats like Rick Ruben, Bob James, Joe Cocker, Eric Burdon & WAR, Tom Dowd, (man i can go on, but do ya homework and find out who some of these cats are/were, cuz w/out their contributions to music this hip hop we love wouldn’t be the same). wonder what would have happened if James Brown, George Clinton, Ike Hayes, Stevie, Aretha, Ray, etc. and all those dudes at Atlantic and Stax records (no matter their color) would have thought like you? man, thank god they didn’t! GO LEARN SOMETHIN!
I’m not here defending biters like elvis, not tryin 2 engage in race wars either, but w/out a common purpose and humans looking past that bullshit (through some hard damn times), we got none of this. personally i feel that musicians paved the way for society to get past racial bullshit, and i sure as hell don’t wanna see it go backwards! that’s my peace.
thats the lamest and weakest argument, nah, that’s not even an argument that’s more of a insecure unintelligent complaint. So you say “white people can’t make ‘music’ cuz your ancestors created the style. How about i say “black people can’t use electricity, sewage, cars, guns, money… cuz my ancestors invented all that!” Oh and ya’ll can’t eat pizza no more too! lol
Matter fact ya’ll can’t use the word Swagger no more cuz my ancestors invented that word too. Actually ya’ll can’t speak english no more either pimp!
Get the fuck outta here, ya’ll starting to let this whole minority Obama power get out of hand. Trust me everytime minoritys start to say “oh i think its good that a hispanic or black person got the job cuz there not white” ya’ll set ya’ll selfs back another decade. Minority’s stay focused on racial issue’s while whites are working on saving this planet and raising our kids healthy. Non of my white friends act racist, but almost all my black friends can’t stop saying nigga this and cracker that. You already got credit for your entertainment value now get over it and share with the world or get your shit took! WORD!
wow.
what a joke
All people can make whatever type of music they want …if u got talent , then that’s what’s suppose to matter most, but as alwayz people have to throw the color in…isn’t what makes the music that we love called hip-hop so beautiful …U can add any color to the texture and it makes it beautiful…but there’s alwayz something or someone that’ll come with the racist ish…racism comes from ignorance..it’s one thing to give credit and realize where your history comes from , but it’s anutha thing when the ignorance comes into play and u feel no one has the right to access it (rap, dj, race cars, be supreme court justice and etc.) because of their race.
Hey that’s my 2 cents and I didn’t say nigga this or cracka that, lol
(hey, jus’ a lil humor people loosen up, lol)
The Question Remains you are racist
“Racism is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities”
^nice
wow…wtf did I walk into man? soupthere and thequestionremains man…jus leave dis site alone …ya’ll both backwards thinking man…this ish rite here is ridiculous…lets jus stick to homeboy’s interview and the music
Some feedback from the artist. What can we to make the “Get to Know” questions/interview a little better? Should we add more questions, give better directions, etc.
We need feedback….always trying to improve.
peace to my brother of an other mother Roc b.
music is universal , fools are local!
peace
check out my shit @ http://www.myspace.com/giuannshadai