1. Artist name and where did it originated from?
Bobby J From Rockaway. Everybody I grew up with always called me Bobby J for short, so it’s not really a name I chose but rather one that was given to me. I added the “From Rockaway” not only because it has the mnemonic device of it rhyming, but because it’s my hometown and the backdrop to everything that I do. It’s not only shaped who I am as a person, but also my musical tastes and influences.
2. Where are you from?
Rockaway Beach, Queens, NYC.
3. Influences/inspirations?
I grew up in a very musical household. My very early influences were my parents and my older brother. My mom, who is from BK, listened to a lot of classic rock (The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Stones, Beatles, Steely Dan, Van Morrison, Doobie Bros. etc). My dad, who was from Detroit, liked that stuff as well but also listened to a lot of funk, soul, Motown, and eclectic/new wave music like The Talking Heads, Devo, Elvis Costello, Blondie, Genesis, etc. Then my brother Eric, who’s 5 years older than me, was an MTV junkie growing up. So just being around him all the time I was exposed to all the popular music of the early 90s - from grunge to Hip-Hop and everything in between. When rap exploded in popularity in the late 90s, it pretty much became my obsession and I wanted to consume as much of it as possible. I found myself attracted to artists that had “lyrical” styles like Canibus, Eminem, Big Pun, Chino XL, Big L, Jay-Z, Nas etc. I wanted to be like them. As far as my music goes, I draw inspiration from all of these places and try to make my songs a melting pot of all these different genres/influences, while still maintaining a core classic Hip-Hop sound.
4. What makes your music different than other rappers ?
Aside from my general influences, I never try to ride the wave of what’s current for the sake of doing so. I don’t care about fitting in. I’m also not trying to be something I’m not. I talk about my life from my perspective and try to keep my music rooted in reality. At heart, I’m still a classic Hip-Hop fan so I always try to incorporate elements of that in my music (Breakbeats, sampling, scratches, lyricism etc.), which is a stark contrast from the sound that’s dominating rap on a mainstream level right now.
5. Dream collab?
Several: Black Thought, Jay-Z, Method Man, Eminem
6. Favorite rapper and why?
Gun to my head it’s probably Jay-Z. His longevity and consistency outmatches everybody. His body of work speaks for itself. Anybody looking to have a long career in Hip-Hop should use him as a blueprint. He’s also managed to overcome the biggest “ism” in Hip-Hop, which is age-ism. After him, either Black Thought or Eminem, just for their shear ability to rap at an elite level and constantly keep elevating.
7. Where do you see yourself In 10 years?
With a solidified legacy in Hip-Hop. Hopefully in a position to sign and produce other talented acts, using my platform to help the next generation of talented artists get on.
8. Favorite album?
Ready to Die
9. Upcoming projects?
The next single “Walter White” produced by Statik Selektah drops on 10/19, with a video to follow. The video/single for “Hometown” produced by Kwame is out now, and the album by the same name should drop top of the year (also produced primarily by Kwame).
10. Fun fact about you?
I’ll bust your ass on the golf course.
