 Raptalk.net Q&A series continues with Philly / New York based producer Dev Rocka, who has just released his debut album "The Night Shift" on Good Hands Records featuring some of the best underground emcees in the game today. He speaks on his thoughts on the state of Hip Hop music, His new album "The Night Shift" in stores right now & all the artists hes been working with on this project. Make sure you check out Dev's new single "Curtains" bridging the gap between the east and west coast featuring westcoast emcee Planet Asia and eastcoast emcee Reef The Lost Cauze at the end of the interview. Dub MD: Dev Rocka, What's good?
Dev Rocka: I'm good. Busy trying to let people know about this album you know. That's what I been focused on lately. Dub MD: For those who don't know, could you just give a short review of what you've experienced in your rap career up until now?
Dev Rocka: Well, I been making tracks for a while now. I've done production for a bunch of different artists, most recently Chief Kamachi, Reef the Lost Cauze, Charon Don, Sate Store (The JuJu Mob) and Black Opz. I've had some ups and downs in the music business, but now I'm with Good Hands Records and everything is lovely. Dub MD: Coming from Brooklyn, what do you think of the New York music scene right now?
Dev Rocka: Just to clarify I was born and raised in West Philly. So that's where I'm from, Philly stand up! but I been in Brooklyn for the last 3 years. The New York scene is crazy man, there's legends everywhere you go, and it just makes you have so much respect for this place. There's so much talent here, and real originators so you can never front on New York. I feel like people here are a little frustrated cause the south is getting so much attention. I think the down south sound is just hot right now and it's what people wanna hear and it's what people like to party too. I think there's still a lot of great music coming outta New York and it's a big inspiration for me being up here. I'm hearing bangas everyday so that keeps me on my toes. Like that song "Brooklyn" that Fabulous did with Jay –z and Uncle Murda. Especially being in Brooklyn that record was crazy too me, Shit like that is what gets me the most open these days. Dub MD: A lot of people are saying "Hip Hop Is Dead" lately, how do you feel about the current state of hip hop?
Dev Rocka: I can see what people mean when they say that. I don't know if it's dead, but its definitely different, lyrics, creativity and originality is what used to be respected. Nowadays, I feel like people respect the money side of things the most and all that's cool, flossing has always been a part of it, but it aint the only part. So somebody coming out now just talking bout the drug game or whatever and not adding a new twist to it or anything, isn't gonna be enough to get my respect. We've heard all that before, I wanna hear something new, some new flows and word play yahmean. Also Hip Hop is just big business now, It used to be a smaller community, I think people used to approach Hip Hop like what they could contribute to it and now they're just trying to see what they can get out of it. I say Hip Hop ain't dead, it's just different. Dub MD: You've got a new album in stores right now called "The Night Shift", What can heads out there expect from this album?
Dev Rocka: The album just got released on Good Hands. I'm real happy with how it came out. It's a compilation, so you get a lotta different flavors on there. I basically just made a bunch of music I wanted to hear and felt like making. People have been telling me it's a sound that's missing right now and to me that's a great compliment. Dub MD: With this album, what artists are you connecting with?
Dev Rocka: Well a lot of the artists are guys I've worked with for a while now from Philly, like Kamachi, the Juju Mob, Maylay Sparks etc. I also wanted to try and mix it up with Good Hands help, I was able to do that so we got with artists from out side of Philly too, that's how the song "Curtains" came about. We got Planet Asia from Cali and put him on a track with Reef the Lost Cauze. Charon Don let me remix the joint from his album "Observers" so that's him and Killa Priest, Pittsburgh and NYC on the same track right there. Another example is "Rap Circus" you got Broady and Kawshen they're part of the group Black Opz from Philly, on the song with Krumbsnatcha from Boston. Also from NYC we got the New York Rhyme Exchange. So it's heads from all over and I think its dope cause maybe some guys are known up NY and the album will help them get exposure in Philly and vice versa for all the Philly artists as well. So that's what it was about just trying to make bangas and mix it up and let everyone get some shine. "Hip Hop is just big business now, It used to be a smaller community, I think people used to approach Hip Hop like what they could contribute to it and now they're just trying to see what they can get out of it. I say Hip Hop ain't dead, it's just different." Dub MD: What's your label situation like just now?
Dev Rocka: Great! Good Hands is my team right now and they really looked out for me on this record. I also do a lot of production for this label "Innermission215" outta Philly. They're my peoples too and we'll be collaborating on some projects in the near future. Dub MD: What do you think is your most defining and unique characteristic that sets you apart from every other producer out there?
Dev Rocka: Basically I think I do what I want and I'm not trying to keep up with certain trends or what production style is hot right now, so that comes across in my beats and it's a good thing, it helps me have my own sound. I try and stay true to the traditions and foundations of this and work hard. Dub MD: If you could describe yourself as a artist in 4 words, What would they be?
Dev Rocka: Jack Of All Trades! Dub MD: For your fans who haven't seen your shows yet are you planning a "Night Shift Tour" anytime soon?
Dev Rocka: That would be dope! But I don't see it happening right now. All the MC's on the record perform regularly so you can always check them out at a venue near you. As far as me, I don't perform, I just do the beats, performing's for the rappers and dj's. I'm just in the studio working. Dub MD: What is on tap for Dev Rocka for the rest of 2007 and beyond?
Dev Rocka: I just want to keep making music and work with artists I respect and hopefully people will feel what im putting out. I'm working with my man Broady Boy Ace right now too. I want to kind of Executive Produce some projects with him. He's a great MC and it's about time everyone knew that. Dub MD: Do you have anything to say to the fans? anything you wanna get off your chest? any shout outs?
Dev Rocka: Just want to say thanks to anyone who's been supporting the record. I appreciate it so much. Shout to Good Hands and every one that helped me put this album together. Anybody who wants to contact me, hit me up www.myspace.com/devrocka. Peace and be safe! DUB MD
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