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Romey
Reppin: Chicago, Illinois
Website: Myspace.com/GetRichRecords
 



Background: Rhyming since he was in sixth grade, Romey was influenced by the best of the best. Watching the greats create a multi-lane highway for those that came after them, Romey knew that in taking control of his lane to be the best, he had to take from the best.

The streets and the popular gang culture of Chicago didn't pass Romey by. He was taught from an early age the wrong ways of making money -- he watched the streets, was part of the streets and then after hearing Jay-Z's
Reasonable Doubt, he opted to use his vocabulary and write about them. Conviction, passion and strength allowed Romey to surpass the influences that at 11 seemed to be a sure bet of stripping him of his chance of success.

Resume: Chicago is perhaps the least egotistical of the cities in the hip-hop spectrum. Having absorbed and grasped the offerings the rest of the country has bestowed upon them, their artists have a well-rounded approach and garner a different type of respect when it comes to their contribution to hip-hop.Romey emulates nothing but reality and he maintains a swagger we have seen only on the icons -- Jay-Z and Biggie -- which has encouraged his street success.

With the streets in a stronghold, Romey had no other choice than to make sure his appeal reached the masses. He made sure his name was known to many through opening for some of hip-hop's biggest names: Lil' Jon, Common, Twista, Chamillionaire and Puffy. They have all benefited from having Romey hype up the crowd before they hit the stage. "Studio time, crafting a song, collecting beats, it's all good, but it doesn't f--- with being on stage," he told Ballerstatus.net.

But, don't get it twisted. He has made his name familiar to many and most with the mixtapes as well. Being featured on some of the most notorious DJ's tapes -- Warrior, Chuck T and Sickamore -- there are no limits or
boundaries in his attack on the game. Surrounding himself with Chi-Towns most affluent and influential, Romey understands that "in order to be the best, you have to be around the best." So, working with the likes of super
producer No ID and the Roc's label loving Kanye West is just another way for the 23-year-old to acquire further knowledge and understand what being a success is being all about.

The Future: The future is never guaranteed for anyone in this changing world we live in, but with Kanye West hosting Romey's next tape, The Best of the Best, talks of a Gangsta Grillz with the infamous Southern adoptee DJ Drama and more shows with one of Houston's hottest commodities and recent platinum star Chamillionaire, Jerome Hunt will be maintaining the grind that got him to where he is right now. He sees the gap in the market
there is for someone of his caliber. Having allowed the media to encourage even the lamest of rappers to believe they may have a future in rapping, Romey may be happy with the endorsements that surround hip-hop
today, but the quality of music bothers him.

"Doing it to get rich is not an option for him," emphasizes Romey. He has total understanding of the "mass appeal" that makes a national star as opposed to a "block" star. And because of this understanding, he is able
to cater to all audiences and ensure their attention stays right on him. So with his mind in right gear, he hopes to secure major distribution for his label, Get Rich Records, taking he and his roster, which includes
R&B songstress Aleesha, to unprecedented heights.

In His Own Words: "The beauty of being from Chicago is that you catch it from all sides," says Romey. "I am in the middle of everything. On the radio, they play who is hot out East, down South and whoever has a hot track
out on the West coast. All that is incorporated in my music, just from being from Middle America."

He also says, "a lot of artists can write, but they can't sell it."

Scouting Report: We live in an environment that is over populated with mediocre talent. An environment that has those who may just be the ones to carry the torch into the future hidden in the shadows of people who fail to
understand what hip-hop is all about. As Romey stated himself, he is "happy with the way the music has evolved and how it is used to sell other products, but I am not happy with the music." So that being said, you can
expect to see this Chicago resident restore some faith in the new generation of MC's.

Lyrically dominating his contempories and not afraid to admit to "emulating himself" after his idols, as "emulating himself after someone who wasn't the best would be stupid," Romey will ensure that his talent and understanding of hip-hop aren't ignored. He can write it and he can sell it. And with passion, strength and conviction being his predominant attributes. Him being kept in the shadows is just not an option.

--Melanie J. Cornish

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Tupac Shakur's Legacy Continues
By: Mark Lelinwalla
June 16, 2006


Highly regarded and loved as arguably the greatest MC of all time, Tupac Shakur would have turned 35 today (June 16).

Highly regarded and loved as arguably the greatest MC of all time, Tupac Shakur would have turned 35 today (June 16).

In honor of the slain rappers birthday, a benefit/birthday bash is scheduled to take place tonight at the Aladdin in Las Vegas. In addition, the likes of Uncle Luke, Pitbull, Grand Scheem, Benzino, Mike West from the Outlawz and Makaveli-Branded clothing line Vice President Rick Edwards will hit downtown Miami club Metropolis in a separate tribute and celebration tonight.

Tupac is the greatest artist of all time from a musical standpoint, but beyond just musically, Edwards exclusively told Vibe.com. Everything he did as an artist from his poetry to his movies, his actingIm very much honored to be in the position that Im in to be one of the people who helped started Makevli-Branded."

In addition to the tribute tonight, Edwards is also in the process of ironing out the finer details for the Tupac Legacy Tour. The 25-city nationwide tour, which is scheduled to begin in October and end in mid-November, will feature primetime MCs, as they perform some of Shakurs classic songs and cuts of their own. Although the artists on the tour havent been officially announced as of press time, Edwards is excited about adding to Tupacs legend.

To do the Tupac Legacy Tour, continue his legacy and be a part of history is something I cant even put into words, says Edwards.

As for the Makaveli-Branded line, exclusive Tupac sneakers hit specialty stores across the nation earlier this month.

One of the greatest to ever do it, said New York City-based Hot 97 DJ Mister Cee about Tupac, as he dedicated his entire Throwback at Noon hour to playing Shakurs classic tracks.

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www.vibe.com