Rosewood Swing – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
I’m 18 and from Jackson, MS. Wasn’t really enthusiastic about actually bein a rap artist until like the 6th grade. My friends were real into it so I tried it out myself for fun. Found out I was pretty decent at it so I just stuck to it. I got better and more versatile by the year and the local support just took me to another level.
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
For the most part, everything about the 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000s. I guess I’m workin backwards, but that’s what I’m into. I’m really more of a R&B person than rap, that explains the admiration I have for Jodeci and other earlier acts. I actually don’t care too much for what’s on the radio, so I usually end up hearin a popular song no earlier than a week after it reaches MS. I usually don’t go outta my way to listen but it’s like tryna stop the inevitable. So if it’s not from the underground, I do jam some of my favorite artists like Kanye, Curren$y, Krit, Andre 3000, and a little drake from time to time. Other than that, I’m on some more stuff. Ion like riskin my style gettin influenced by somethin else.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
My music is different as far as the style I’m bringin it to you in. I’m always tryin new things and not just confined to one style. I’m really into that early east coast feel, but Im also experimenting with an earlier west coast or G-Funk style. I just like makin music that I can really feel so Iain just here to bring complex bars. I don’t like for every song to be just a verse and a hook, so there has to be something unique about it that makes you want to play it over. I think there must be a uniqueness in my delivery and word play that’s catches ears.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
I’m not really too big on collabing outside of my circle. So unless it’s Johnny Lovely, Shunny, or someone I’m already real close with and serious about it, I’m not really interested. I’m not a speedy writer anyways so every verse counts to me. In the future, however, I do plan on collabing with Tarik Trotter, a couple more rising artists up north, and BJF of ATL. Beyond that, I’m prayin for the collabos with Curren$y and Kanye.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Ion even define it as not bein mainstream and bein exposed to a bigger audience. I see it as stayin true to yourself and makin the music you wanna make. Not switchin up the style just because you wanna be heard in the clubs or on the radio. Just doin you. To me.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
When it comes to who influences me as far as production, ion even know how to word it lol. My favorite producers are Ski Beatz, Alchemist, and Devante Swing. The type of beats I make music to kinda reflect who I am, cause I’m a real chill person. I’ve done songs to the production of Poptartpete, Ski Beatz, Iman Omari, Toree McIntyre, Lewis Parker, Knxledge, and plan on working with HAZ SOLO, Lirker, and my closest producer Sir Raybands.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
Working on my next tape, the Mob17 tape, and a few features I had planned on doin. Gotta help put in work on my group mates solo projects as well. So be lookin for a lil noise from Johnny Lovely and Shunny. After the tape, I’m also tryna put more focus into visuals for other artists as well, under my brand LiyahsVisions. Also planned on moving around a little out of state for some shows and to network with different people.
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of Vegas 16? Also/ tell us a little bit about the concept and idea behind your Mixtape Cover Art.
Been workin on Vegas16 from the summer of 2013 til May 2014. It was kind of an on and off thing at first cause I came up with the name almost 2 years ago. I just stuck with it. I actually didn’t even finish the tape until the day of the release. I was always goin back and taking things out and puttin new ideas on. People tell me I’m a perfection freak when it comes to finishin music lol.
Where can we find your music and info?
You can follow me on twitter @rosewoodswing. My soundcloud is also rosewoodswing soundcloud.com/rosewood-swing. My YouTube channel is LiyahsVisions http://youtube.com/user/LiyahsVisionsTV. And I got a tumblr in the works http://rosewoodswing.tumblr.com/. Soon as I find out how to use it.
Any shout outs?
Yes. Gotta thank my fam first. I got relatives who been supportin me from the start, before any local buzz I’ve been gettin. Gotta shout out the whole $ip $ircle. My bros Johnny Lovely, Jay Mo, and Shunny. My photographer Tia the Shootr. The Kaliban Klan, The Yo, Sir Raybands, OG Dre, Gata Gunzalez, Blanco, my boy Spank. Gotta shout Dinnerland, Swurvradio, and HNHH for the love this past weekend. And all the friends, supporters, and fans who been behind me. All love.
