Rocky G - Musician x Filmmaker x Writer x PRODUCER

Rocky G is a rapper, filmmaker, writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist hailing from DC and current Bay Area resident. Growing up in a musical family, Rocky played saxophone in his father’s folk band and is proficient in violin, piano, saxophone(s), bass clarinet, flute, and percussion. His move to the Bay Area to attend college brought Rocky a Filipino American community through music, activism, and creativity. And that community encouraged him to pursue music after the death of his father. From cyphers of the Boom Boom room to PACE and PEP, Rocky has been able to forge connections. “Without community, I am nothing. Everything comes back to if I am making a positive impact on not only those around me, but whoever has access to my artistry. That is why it is important to be a musician for me. We can push and motivate people through feelings, through vibrations. Music is universal and healing, and I see how the Filipino American community responds so well to the radicalizing of my message.” Rocky’s mother provides constant support, and his mentors Dr. Allyson Tintiago Cubales and Ruby Ibarra have inspiried constant growth. With an East Coast tongue and West Coast wickedness, Rocky’s music catalog of singles, EPs, and albums begins with 500 Dungeons in 2014 to 2020’s Filipinos in Space. Rocky’s music hits subjects like Filipino American History, his life experiences, and social justice issues. He has collaborated with artists like NugLife, Sol Development, and Mister Rey, and is part of Filipino American band, The Balikbayans. Rocky recently released the album Filipinos in Space, and has more visuals from the album coming soon.

Spotify
Filipinos in Space Bandcamp
@rockayye

Were you always interested in music growing up? And did you always think you'd grow up to be a rapper?
Music has been in my life since I was in my mother's belly. My late father was a singer/songwriter, who along with my mother, started an all Filipino American Young Adult choir in 1990 at the church they attended. My oldest sister Karla is a professional dancer, and my middle sister Jitter also sang in the folk band that my father started, which he also let me play sax in when I was growing up. The first time I knew I'd be a rapper was when I heard "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz ft. Del The Funkee Homosapien. Hearing the way that Del used his voice so fluently gave me the confidence to be myself. I knew that style wins after hearing that song, not just technique. Little did I know I would be starting my rap career in the Bay Area where Del and Hieroglyphics were based at.

What instruments do you play? How do you find balance between playing music and rapping?
Everything I've learned to play in my life so far (but not necessarily master) are violin, piano, saxophone(s), bass clarinet, flute, and percussion. It's a perfect balance because for me if I get sick of one, I can go to the other. This includes in jam sessions if I get tired of playing sax I can switch to the freestyle. The way I integrate both of them in my work is a balance of knowing what my intention behind the song is. I can get lost in the whole "Saxophone playing rapper" gimmick but I choose to limit the amount of sax in my work to really emphasize the speciality of it. To me, I need to respect both crafts of musicianship and rapping equally. This means studying both arts tremendously in terms of theory, history, and praxis. I approach this the same with music production and video editing. I must be a student of the craft in order to become a master, and for me I have 4 things that I need to spend 10,000 Hours on.

What was it like growing up in DC?
If you grew up in the Bay Area, then you know that there's no place on earth like it. That's how I feel about the DMV area as a whole. Just like in the Bay, there is culture, history, slang, and an overall identity that DC residents inherit. It's a city full of music, full of corruption, full of working class people that are trying to make it even though everything is going against them. A city where the majority of the population is black, but the politicians are white. Where we are taxed without being represented, since DC is not a state. Growing up there as a Filipino American was at first difficult, but I saw through my black and brown friends I was accepted no matter. Black Culture in DC was DC CULTURE. My identity as a Filipino American and my time in these black spaces was not challenged until I got to the Bay Area, where there were plenty of spaces of Filipino community that I was able to explore.

What brought you to the Bay?
My parents divorced in 2009. After my mom got a position in San Francisco where my family used to stay before I was born in the 90's (they left after the earthquake), she moved there my senior year of high school. After I graduated, I was planning on attending my dream school Berklee College of Music after getting accepted. Tuition was overpriced however, and I deferred for a year choosing to go to City College in SF. I moved to the Bay summer 2013, and after my father passed from a stroke back home in DC, I dropped out of City College and went into a depressive state. If it wasn't for my homies that I met in the Bay including all the locals, I would have never pursued the music the way I did. I owe and attribute a lot of my growth as an artist to individuals that have welcomed me as a member of the community. From hoods to organizations, I always came with respect.

How do you define the music you create?
Important.

Photo by @et_iv

Your music catalog is full of work as a rapper and producer, exploring different genres, what do you want listeners to take away from your music?
I want them to think that if they work hard enough they can accomplish anything. I want them to have a good time and be able to replay my music and have a different experience every time. They should want to show everyone they know after. I want them to see the significance of my message and want to share it. If I offer enough styles and music that people of different backgrounds and interests can all appreciate I'll be happy. The stoner should dig it. The Broadway star should dig it. The Filipino youth organizer should dig it. The ethnic studies teacher should dig it.

Who/what has been influential in your personal and creative growth?
First my mother, her constant support the past 25 years of my life have been extremely beneficial. Without her I would be nothing.

The mentorship I received from Dr. Allyson Tintiango Cubales has influenced me to be the best person spiritually and mentally I can be. My time in teaching spaces with her has humbled me and also exposed me to so many people that I still work with to this day. After I graduated from SFSU in 2019, my sensei has since changed to Ruby Ibarra. Right now I'm taking everything I can from my time with her. I pray and hope to constantly grow and never stop. That includes creating new relationships and meeting people that will help elevate my character.

How has the Bay Area affected your music, activism, creativity?
The Bay Area has offered me spaces to explore all three of things. The cyphers of the Boom Boom room to the Depot of SF. Community spaces like Project Level, PACE, PEP, have contributed tremendously as well. But overall, I would say the main factor in who I am as an artist today is the people. Something about Bay Area residents and their hustle, demeanor, and overall look at life has reflected on me. Growing up in DC prepared me for anything in life, but practicing what I learned in the Bay Area is a blessing that I'm sure only people with my same flight path would somewhat understand.

Who are some of your favorite artists that you've collaborated with? And what is it like being part of The Balikbayans?
NugLife, Billy Lo, Ruby Ibarra, Jenn Clemena, Zaldy Tubig, Astralogik, Kaly Jay, Sol Development, Tone Oliver, Mister Rey, there's so MANY!!!!!! The Balikbayans however are something that I would never take for granted. I'm still constantly having to grasp the concept of what it actually means to be part of this special band. Every member has so much going on for them, and the content of Ruby's music is so perfectly juxtaposed with our lives as immigrants and Filipino Americans. Playing on stage with them is magical every time. I am forever grateful, and I believe we are going to make history.

What have been some of your favorite performances, venues?
My favorite performance for me was my set at the Native Immigrant album release party at the International Hotel in Manilatown, San Francisco. This was the gig where Ruby first met me, where a lot of members of the Sf community saw me really show out. Because of that performance, my rap career began a snowball effect of events, collaborations, releases, and growth. I try to show out every performance. Wherever I go, I want to make sure that out of everyone in the lineup, you're gonna remember my set.

How does your community uplift you?
Without community, I am nothing. Everything comes back to if I am making a positive impact on not only those around me, but whoever has access to my artistry. That is why it is important to be a musician for me. We can push and motivate people through feelings, through vibrations. Music is universal and healing, and I see how the Filipino American community responds so well to the radicalizing of my message.

Do you have anything coming up, music or projects you are working on?
Expect a plethora of visuals from my album FILIPINOS IN SPACE. Coming soon.

Photos courtesy of Rocky G