http://thehypereport.blogspot.com/2008/02/hype-report-rocko.htmlRTNY: How did you land your deal with Def Jam?

Rocko: It was through the buzz I had going. Before I got the deal my record was already at 300 spins.

RTNY: You’re talking about your single, “Umma Do Me”, right?

Rocko: Yeah. I was actually in the process of closing a deal with another label when L.A. Reid contacted me and wanted to sign me.

RTNY: What are the boardroom meetings like, is the label fully behind you?

Rocko: I’m feeling all the love and support from the label. I go in and they let me know what songs they like. It’s a real good feeling. I’m feeling good about everything right now.

RTNY: The single is big down in the South, has it been crazy for you since releasing the song?

Rocko: It’s been crazy. Initially when I started rappin’ I was thinking more about the money. But once I started going to these different cities and doing shows, and getting on stage telling people what I want them to do-and they do it…I was like, wow. That really made me start taking it seriously. It’s a real good feeling.

RTNY: You’ve done production for a lot of artists with your Rocky Road Productions. Can you name some of those artists?

Rocko: Franchize Boyz, Young Dro, Pastor Troy, Lil Flip and the whole Sucker Free camp.

RTNY: In the future, is producing something you want to do more of?

Rocko: I mean…for the most part, yeah. I have a few tracks that I produced for my own album. But for the most part, I want to venture off into the film industry.

RTNY: What made you want to start doing that?

Rocko: I always have felt like I could act. My album comes out March 18 and we just finished up my movie called, Self Made. It’s an album and a movie.

RTNY: So you’re hoping your rap career will launch your film career?

Rocko: Oh, yeah, definitely.

RTNY: A lot of hip-hop heads have been calling you a Jeezy clone. What do you have to say to those people?

Rocko: I just tell em’ to do them and keep hating. I’m getting paid over here, getting $12,000 for a show. I have my own label. I got a stupid deal. And I’m cashing in right now. I could care less about what a hater has to say about me.

RTNY: Do you feel as though southern artists sometimes get unnecessary backlash from the fans and the industry?

Rocko: I think its jut the broke people.

RTNY: (Laughing).

Rocko: I think they don’t have nothing else better to do than hate, feel me?

RTNY: Yep.

Rocko: If you had something else better to do with your time, you could care less about what somebody else is doing. You would be concentrated on getting your money. Believe it or not, that’s the type of thing that keeps me motivated to do what I’m doing. And on top of that, I come with a different flow on every beat. That’s why they call me “Mr. Southern Swag”, because I adjust my flow and freak it according to the beat.

RTNY: So in other words you want other people to do them and not worry about you?

Rocko: Exactly. I could care less about what a hater is saying. I’m laughing all the way to the bank.

http://thehypereport.blogspot.com/2008/02/hype-report-rocko.html