Ryan K

Hear new and old music from Ryan K Formerly Rolls Royce here - http://tooknownswellknowns.blogspot.com

What's good world? Cesper here with another GlobalHitMusic.com exclusive interview. I've taken a small break, but nonetheless I am back with another one. I got with me today an up and coming artist from my hometown, Miami, he goes by the name Rolls Royce. This is one hard working artist, aside from music, he was featured on the 2009 New Era Spring Collection campaign. But who am I to tell you myself? Let's see what Rolls Royce had to say. Enjoy!

What has Rolls Royce been up to these past couple of months?
Working hard ghostwriting a lot of hooks for different artist's as well as working on my debut album "Until My time Comes" and finishing up a brand new Mix tape.

How long have you been doing music for?
I've been recording music for about 7years now. It's been a constant grind and a job that consist a lot of overtime. A lot of new artist's get into the game and think since they can put some words together and pay to record A song that they are now artist's. I'm an artist's in every way, shape and form music has never been a hobby this is what I do for a living and that’s how you must tackle it !



Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I grew up on R&B my mother was an aspiring singer at an early age. Musically I was inspired by the early 70's music Lionel Richie, Al Green, The Stylistics and many more R&B acts such as Brian McKnight, Boys 2 Men, Usher and Rap acts such as Cee Lo, B.I.G, Snoop, Tupac

I heard that they call you the "Hook King", how did that come to be?
The Hook King was a nick name I as giving a while back. It pretty much means just that "The King of Hooks" I like to think of my self as the modern day new era Nate Dogg. When I first got into music I was always put on the hooks the nick name just grew on me as time went by and that’s what I became. I am now developing my own style to writing full length records and I’m finding myself. For so long I was the hook man and now it's time for me to embark on my solo project and show the world I got more to offer then just hooks don’t get it twisted being the hook on the records is cool because you are apart of the main piece which keeps ringing in peoples heads but I have a story to tell and that’s what I’m trying to do with this new project.

What are some of the songs you have been featured on?
Well I’ve been featured on countless Indie records and albums but as far as records I’ve been featured on with major acts Sheek Louch (Dblock) Jim Jones, C-Ride. Black Dada and few other records which haven’t been released yet.

The remix titled "I’m a Chico" was a big thing for the Hispanic community in Dade County, tell me how that turned out?
The Remix to I’m a zoe I’m a Chico was defiantly a good look for me and the people involved it opened a lot of ears and doors. Originally I didn’t want to do that concept but we went ahead and did it anyways. 2 days later I get the version sent to me and it was sounding official we leaked the record and off rip it was getting a huge response from the Latino community so much that power 96 dj Def decided to add it to his mix show. From then on it was a wrap the song was being played daily and nightly and people just kept requesting it. Overall it was a good experience and I’m glad it touched the people like it did.

Mike Beck, God rest his soul, was on his way to being a legend in the Hip-Hop community, and from what I've seen lately, he is still on his way even in his afterlife. You had the opportunity of working with him, how did that go?
God Bless my brother Beck... I actually met Beck in Miami while he was filming a video with P-doe another New York rapper and good friend. When I met him Beck had this swagger and grind about him that made you respect him. We spoke that same day and there was a mutual understanding of what we both were trying to achieve. Basically we talked about many things business, life, friends and foes. We began staying in contact and just keeping it real. The first record we did was a remix to Drakes Best I ever had titled iTop of the world which featured his other artist from new York Embassy Elite Beck always ready to make good music and was always trying to find ways to involve me in different projects through Beck I met a lot of different people that still to this day I do business with. When I found out he passed it really touched me and effected me tremendously he was a good person not only a business relationship. We had 2 or 3 other records that were going to be huge but with his untimely death they were never finished I wish his family the best and he will always live on through his music.

What are you currently working on for the new year?
I'm currently prepping my Debut album "Until My time Comes" it is 60% percent done and is sounding like a classic I will be releasing 2 singles off the project later this month and it is set to drop the first quarter next year 2010. I'm also working with a lot of Miami's new talent such as Dark side thugs, FlyBoi, YD ,Dshep, Jigg as well as other major artist's I’ve been doing a lot of ghostwriting and working with such as Cashis (Shady Aftermath) The hot new Duo from Utah Calico and BLocks, FA out of Atl (Shawty Redds Artist) and many more. I have my new mix tape coming soon called "Rising Icon" and my new website www.The HookKing.com

Switching subjects really quick, you were featured on the 2009 New Era Spring Collection campaign, that had to be a dope situation for you, tell me about that.
Yeah that was another great experience a partner of mines who was managing some of my moves at the time actually put me down with the gig. He called me one day and was like I’m booking you for a campaign for New Era fitted caps for there spring collection you down and I was like yeah lets do it. The shoot was a lot fun. When I got to the shoot I was giving a haircut but one of the top Barbers in the industry from there the anr at Newera walked me into the private dressing room for different outfits and styles for the photos all an all it was a lot of fun and the shots where used for there official website where I was featured as the model for the spring merchandising.

Any last shout outs?
Shouts out to everyone has who has supported my music over the years and all the haters out there thanks for the love. You can check me out at www.Myspace.com/HookKing, Facebook.com/RollsRoyce, Twitter.com/Darealhk for booking or any other enquires hit up Rnrdivisionscorp@gmail.com or 24hourwriter@gmail - Globalhitmusic.com

24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
What's Up world! This is Rolls Royce. Singer/Songwriter Reppin’ Miami, FL on the check in.

24: Before we get into your music, can you briefly describe your history on how you got into the industry and who were some of the artists that inspired you to pursue music?
I've been recording music for about 7 years now but I’d have to say I got my first taste at stardom in 2004 with an indie record label from New York. I've been working on my craft and doing business in the industry since then. I wouldn't say there was any specific artist's who inspired me to pursue music but I have been inspired by some artist's along the way. I think my first inspiration came from my mother who also was a singer at an early age. I grew up listening to a lot of R&B soul music from the 70's Like The O’jays, The Stylistics and Al Green. I think that's where I began tapping into soul full melodies and picked up my harmonies from. I Also grew up listening to Boyz II Men and other R&B groups and artist's from the early 90's as well as Rappers such Tupac, Biggie, UGK, Diddy & The Lost Boyz. I guess that's were some of my raps originate from as well.

24: How did you get the nickname "Da Hook King"?
The Hook King is a nick name I pretty much gained over the years through hard work and it just stuck with me through time. Early in my career, I was always known to be the one to come up with the hooks and be featured on the hook parts as well. I was always known to deliver hot hooks so that's what I did. I started perfecting that craft and exploiting it as one of my main qualities. It has never been a problem to me, I love creating hooks. To me, it is the part most listened to aside from the beat. I take pride in being that voice. I look at myself as a modern day Nate Dogg. I remember back when a new song would come out from the West Coast and it featured Nate Dogg, before even listening to it you knew it was going to be official and that's similar to how I want people to react when they find out Rolls Royce is the one on the hook.

24: Have you ever felt like too much time passes in the game where you have to make it and that window is closing?
Pressure is always good because it makes you work harder. I'm at a point where work is second nature music is my job and all the other things that come along with being an artist. At times you wish things would could go faster and be solved quicker but one thing I have learned about the music game is as long as your working and doing what you got to do to put yourself in a better situation then your good patience is a virtue.

24: As of right now, who in the industry would you say you listen to on a regular and would probably like to work with in the near future?
Right now I’ve been listening and supporting Rick Ross. His music is definitely in the CD player as I ride through my everyday life. I also listen to Kanye West, Trey Songz, BunB, Some R&B and music coming out of my city from artist such as Brisco, Billy Blue, Git Fresh, Ghostwridah and more!

24: In retrospect, being a songwriter, would you consider writing songs for any of them if the opportunity presented itself?
If the opportunity opened to write a record for any of those artist's in particular I would definitely be open interested in working with those mentioned. I'm currently working and recording music as we speak for other artist besides myself as well as many different producers for major song placements on different projects. At the present time I'm working closely with Gorilla Tek’s new writers daily; Anom & Trap.

24: Tell us Rising Icon and the concept behind the title and the overall mixtape.
"Rising Icon" is the name of the new mixtape it's a project that has taken about a year to be complete this project even though it's a mixtape has more of an album appeal most of the records are original and I have more features than usual. The idea really came from the series that BET had where they were highlighting some of the newest hottest talent. When I first started working on the CD, I started thinking about titles and the show came to mind and so did the name of it. So as I'm brainstorming, I thought what better way to describe myself and the feel of the project but with that title of Rising Icon. I've had the title for a bit now but with time the Rising Icon theme has grown on me to another dimension and it really has personified what I'm trying to be as an artist's and that's a Icon the Rising part simply means me being on my way up. The CD's Intro is a song appropriately titled "Rising Icon" and it features DJ Khaled on the Intro and is also produced by Jhonny Juliano!

24: In the beginning stages of your new mixtape “Rising Icon”, what producers did you work with or would like to work with on this project?
Well the mixtape is pretty much already done I've just had to go back and change a few things before I release it because I'm very picky and since this is my first official project since my last one I wanted to make sure that the fans and listeners where able to feel not only the words and music but the quality of not only the sound but of the features selected beats etc. This is going to be my best work to this date it's been a long time coming but I guarantee nothing less than a classic. On the project i worked with producers such as Djaycas (Bun B, Jeezy, Ice Cube) I got some production on there from Vybe(Lupe Fiasco, Wiz Khalifa, ChrisBrown) Jcuse (Bow Wow, Jae Millz, Sammie) Jhonny Juliano and fresh new talent Anom, Gridlock, and Mark Midus!!

24: Can you give us an estimation of a time period on when that project will (grace the shelves/available for download)?
It's definitely coming out before Sept and will be available everywhere stay tuned!

With free download being such a popular method to get music out to the masses, does it bother you at all that you’re giving out the music for free or do you look at that as something that you have to do at this point in your career?
I think at any point in your career, you sometimes have to give somethings away for free even if its music. It’s the artist job to make money doing different things. Music is the key but mixtapes are usually tools and promo. Legwork. I’m not saying we shouldn't obviously get paid off the music side of things but when it comes to a mixtape that's for the PEOPLE and the fans it lets you give them an opportunity to listen to you closely and grow to be fans of your music.

24: Where do you see yourself going in 2010?
In 2010 i see myself going forward and to the top. At this rate something is bound to open for me to where I'm in a real good situation. I see myself with atleast 2 major placements weather that be me singing featured on a hook on an album or someone else singing the song i wrote. I see myself with 3 projects on the streets and on the net by Dec and hopefully signed in a situation that has me comfortable till the time is right and everything is 100 percent the way i invision it to be.

24: When you call yourself part of the "Da Hook KIng," that can be a good and bad thing, depending on how fans feel about the newer artists out there. How are you going to separate yourself from the other new artists out there today?
I am a separation on my own without even trying really. I'm in a market which is urban which is predominately Black. I'm Latino but my music is not Spanish, I sing & rap! Most of the artist coming out are forced to one style me I can do both. Besides the music part of things, I feel I'm seasoned to a certain extent even thought I am not currently signed nor have been on the road touring. I have done many shows worked many big name people and have had my share of the spot light. At this point, I have been through situations such as bad business and even back stabbing so early in my career so when you speak of new artist even though I'm new to the world, I know how this industry can be and some of the new artist's you speak about might have not been through these things yet being that there new and don't know how to deal with these situation. Me personally, I feel as if I'm ready for the business and whatever comes my way.

24: How do you feel about the current state of music in general?
In my opinion, I think music is good and going in the right direction I'm seeing more places besides the South and The West being represented and being able to be on the for front. A lot of new talent is being discovered from all different places and regions of the world now for example Drake from Canada, Wiz Khalifa out of Pittsburgh, Tone Trump out of Philly! I think music is getting back to a point where the consumers are falling in love again and are willing to support and buy an album from their favorite artist oppose to download it like In the case of Rick Ross where people went out and actually purchased copies. Music will always have politics around it but as a fan of music myself I believe if we love it we will treat it with respect and show artist that there craft and hard work is deserving of a purchase and not a download.

What else are you currently working on?
I'm currently involved in a few movie scripts I'm writing which will be copy written and published this year and hopefully out on the big screen before 2011. I’ve had the chance of linking up with one of the hottest clothing lines out 8&9 clothing we recently did a a photo shoot together highlighting there Spring Collection where in the process of hopefully creating something exclusive for myself and keep the continuing venture but for the time being you can catch me wearing the line until then. I would like to get into more business opportunities I'm always open to new ideas

24: How would the fans go about contacting you?
They can follow me at Twitter @DAREALHK... Check out new music releases @ GlobalHitMusic.com/RollsRoyce and check out my new YouTube account @ Youtube.com/MrRollsRoyceHk for Booking or any other inquiry's they can hit me up @ 24hourwriter@gmail.com

24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
Make sure you get a copy of "Rising Icon" when it drops later this month!! Check out all my links and most importantly stay blessed!! Thank you all for the support! HK


- 24hourhiphop.com