questions and answers with @kenanbell and @carl_roe
Q: Who is Carl Roe?
A: Carl Roe is just a man and nothing more. I am debating in my head whether or not I want to continue answering this while referring to myself in the third person…….Hell, why not. Carl Roe is a former soldier and a family member to many. He searches for himself daily and shows others what he wants them to see. The things he tries to hide do not stay hidden very well. He wears his opinions, feelings, and temper on his sleeve. He is a music artist and a music artist is vulnerable to the public. Carl Roe, the musician, is a dream that exists in my head, as well. Literally, though, Carl is my real first name and Roe is half of my middle name (Monroe).
Q: What’s a typical day like?
A: A typical day in my life is waking up, getting ready for work, going to work, leaving work……. and then starting my day. Honestly, my day doesn’t start until I am done doing what American culture expects a 28 year old man to do. Music is never a disposition, it is my choice. Living in a consumer economy…. I didn’t choose that. So, leaving work is me breaking those chains every day. Maybe I will write music, mix, make a beat, do a show or run a studio session for the homies. I enjoy the power that music has in bringing people together. What I’m trying to get across is this: I don’t want my days to be typical. Typical is boring. Typical is what a consumer economy wants me to be so I can keep the machine running (That’s my typical attempt at saying something politically meaningful)
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?
A: “The Little Guy” … and there is a reason for this, too. The little guy can show you a lot of things. He can show you how vulnerable human beings are. Most importantly, he can also prove to you how anyone can do anything.
Q: What is your favorite word?
A: WOWWWWWWWWW!
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My dream job is anything that helps me fulfill the expectations of my life as a husband, while at the same time persevering through the day without wanting to snuff myself. I still have yet to find this.
Q: Who is your dream girl?
A: Now, do I want to do the smart thing and say “I’m with her already”? Hmmm… Yeah, I think I will just do that.
Q: What are your feelings towards the military-inspired video games such as Call of Duty and Battlefield?
A: Man, I love the video juegos, bro. 10th Prestiged Call of Duty: World at War. I played that one the most just because it was mostly realistic to how I know the Army to be. I think it’s cool that people (of appropriate age) get to experience teamwork and team strategy to overcome an opposing force. It is highly entertaining. However, the real thing is not that glamorous. In a game, you can run around an entire terrain with your weapons. But, let me tell you, running 4 miles with a rifle in your hands sucks. That’s the stuff I think about when I play those games. They should make a Call of Duty game about guard duty. People would be pissed.
Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
A: I have been contemplating living somewhere else other than this continent. Yeah, I fought for it and I am proud. America all day. I just want to keep experiencing new places and learn new languages. Paris sounds nice. Italy sounds wonderful. Maybe I should live on a cruise ship and just live everywhere. I don’t really know what home is anymore, but that’s a whole different story.
Q: Most important element of Hip Hop: Breakdancing, MCing, DJing, Grafitti, or Beatboxing?
A: Hmmmm, we are including beatboxing? Is that a documented, official element? Interesting, and no disrespect to the homie Rahzel. It really is a talent. I suppose it really is an element. Very highly overlooked. As per the question, it really depends because we have to consider exactly WHAT element pushed Hip Hop forward inevitably. DJing brought forth the MC and the MC pretty much allowed Hip Hop to be packaged and pushed to the masses. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing depends on the scholar you speak to. Personally, I am going to stress the importance of the element I mostly take part in: MCing. Let me briefly explain. The MC is responsible…… He/she is an ambassador for something great. Everything we say stems from what we represent. This vulnerability of being completely public with our thoughts puts us in a very crucial role.
Q: Most important part of the recording process: writing, recording, mixing, or mastering?
A: Writing is most important. You need to be on your game and have your thoughts mapped out before you even attempt a recording. Everything else is important, but writing is most, by far.
Q: How do you feel about the recent success of Caucasian rappers?
A: I think it’s cool. If they are good there shouldn’t be a problem. I know a couple magenta-colored dudes that try to rap and they suck, real bad. I hate sucky rappers no matter what they look like. I stomach the comparisons to other white dudes doing this music all the time. It’s funny how people compare me to the biggest ones doing it right now, and their names never came up until their recent “blow-up” experience. It’s whatever, though. Compare me to some of those guys, because I don’t mind. A lot of them are dope. Hell, it’s gonna happen anyways. I’m glad people have just about finally moved on from the obvious one, though. “Hmmm, wait… no he doesn’t sound like him to me now… he sounds like (insert whitey’s name here).”
http://www.carlroemusic.net/
What’s the first word that comes to mind from reading these terms?
President Obama – “George Bush Jr.”
George Bush Jr. – “Son-of-a-Bush”
Soulja Boy – “A**hole”
State of Hip Hop – “Washington”
State of the economy – “Washington”
Tupac or Biggie – “Greatness”
East or West – “Compass”
Red or Blue – “Halo”
Black or White – “Michael Jackson”
Day or Night – “Vampires”
S/O’s:
Yes, my favorite part. I want to give a shout out to my buddy DJ GEO for his favor last night. This guy took a phone call from me about 3 hours before my set went live at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle. He dropped what he was doing, grabbed his gear and came to my aid. He DJ’ed my set, plus he stayed to do six other sets. He saved the entire night and for this he gets my only shout out. NOT A SINGLE PERSON has shown me that they are willing to go that far for me in this game yet. DJ GEO is a stand up guy, and hopefully he does more shows with me exclusively, soon. What he did was selfless, honorable, and characteristic of a born leader.
KB: I was introduced to Carl while working on the We’re On Everything mixtape presented by Blood Is One, and we’ve been working on music together ever since. Carl handled mixing and engineering duties on both Summer Solstice Volume 2 and Volume 3, and I couldn’t be more excited to feature him alongside my dude @Ayomari on the remix to “Book Of The Month”
thank YOU!
http://kenanbell.com
