Published: Wednesday - June 28, 2006
Words by Willow
Da Muzicianz (Photo: TVT Records)
D-Roc, of the Ying Yang Twins, has done what some artists only promise, he reached back at the height of his success and put his people in the game. With help from one of Atlanta's famed producers Mr. Collipark, D-Roc and his younger brothers, Mr. Ball and Da Birthday Boy, are Da Muzicianz. Over the course of the last two years, D-Roc laid the groundwork for his brothers to make a proper entrance into an industry that wasn't so favorable to him at the early stages of his own career.
Mr. Collipark teaming up with D-Roc to form PUNNN Entertainment only seemed effortless once he seen D-Roc was not playing around. Being the jokester of Ying Yang Twins, D-Roc's businessman persona was put aside by his peers. But after hitting the bricks, doing his own street teaming, the naysayers were silenced. And now, Da Muzicians are well on their way to contributing to the smash ATL is putting on the music biz right now. Having a big brother, who is already seasoned about the pitfalls of the industry, puts Mr. Ball and Da Birthday Boy in a better position than most new artists.
Da Muzicianz promise to bring the party to you from the moment you pop in their CD and to the critics who want metaphors and punch lines, they say this may not be the record for you. But, if you wanna get your "Pool Palace" on with a "Crazy Man," their self-titled CD is the one for you. "You gonna have fun when you messin wit us. We the people who liven up the party, you know? We ain't gonna tear da club up, we gon have fun in da club. We gonna go crazy in da club." says Mr. Ball.
In the midst of promoting their new self-titled album, Da Muziciaz chat it up with Ballerstatus.com to silence the critics and encourage everyone to get good use out of their "Camera Phone."
Ballerstatus.com: Now that you are a businessman/label owner, how different/difficult was it making the transition from platinum recording artist?
D-Roc: I feel good about it. The transition wasn't a smooth one, but it's all good now.
Ballerstatus.com: Your peers didn't take you very seriously, so what was it like proving them wrong and showing them the antics stop when it's time to get down to business?
D-Roc: You know, it wasn't about trying to prove anything to them, but I understood. Jumping from Ying Yang [Twins] and all the silly and crazy stuff we do, I didn't do too much talking, so they blew me off like, "yeah, yeah." But after awhile, people had to take notice and say "This n---- is for real." Like anyone else, I had to gain respect.
Ballerstatus.com: Birthday Boy, how long have you been rapping?
Birthday Boy: Ever since I seen D-Roc doing it? Well not that long, but after spending time with him in the studio and getting my style together, he heard me and it's been on ever since.
Ballerstatus.com: What was it like watching your brother go from being your big brother to this platinum recording star everyone is clamming at?
Birthday Boy: It's a blessing, it's incredible and it's amazing... I don't know what to say about it. I'm speechless on that part of it. He's on now!
Ballerstatus.com: The South has exploded onto the scene in a huge way because artists from more than one state are shining right now. What kind of impact are Da Muzicianz trying to make during this wave?
D-Roc: Basically, the South just wanted to be heard and respected. Yes, we are being heard, but we are not being respected! You have people who say positive things about the South, yet there is always a "but." Why is there a "but" in there? This is what people are buying, so it's like your time was and your time went. We are not saying it's not going to come back around, but you have to let whatever coast or region that's on get their recognition. There is enough bread out here for everybody. Look how long the South got sh--ted on and couldn't get heard, how you think we felt then? It's like the impact we are putting on the game now is forever.
Ballerstatus.com: Before "TRL" and "106 & Park" gave mainstream shine to the South, you all still supported your own. Not with just buying music, but there is huge coverage of underground artists having video recognition on various alternative video shows, right?
Da Muzicianz: Yes, you're right. For people who don't have cable, we have shows that come on, on the weekend that show artists videos. Those artists have to be more concerned about getting coverage on those shows because some of their fans may not have cable. Everybody can't watch "TRL" and "106 & Park." Most folks just have WB, ABC, NBC, UPN and don't have all those lavish stations.
Ballerstatus.com: You mentioned the "but" that is tagged to artists from the South. What do you say to the critics who say there's just too much kickin' it and strip club activity and there is really no lyrical content?
D-Roc: I don't give a damn what they say! Whatever an artist puts out there is lyrical! Can you define lyrics for me?
Ballerstatus.com: Be easy, my personal opinion aside, I am here to ask the questions.
D-Roc: Well, now I am asking you a question! Can you define what lyrics are?
Ballerstatus.com: I'm no composer, but in laymen's terms, they are the words to a song, correct?
D-Roc: No, the actual definition of lyrics is composing words. People don't understand if I write my rap, that's lyricism. I don't care what the hell I say, that's still lyricism! Why they say we don't have them, motherf---ers so smart they stupid, you know what I am saying? They saying the South don't have lyricism, we do have it. We may not rap or say the things they want us to say or have metaphors or use big ass words because that is not how we speak in the South. Why would I use a word I don't use in my raps? I rap the way I talk [laughing]. If you don't like me then get the f--- on.
Ballerstatus.com: Case closed... With Collipark putting a signature sound to "Snap Music" and you all working closely with him on this new project, how would you describe your sound aside from that?
Da Muzicianz: Da Muzicianz, are putting out the party sound. We show you how we party in Atlanta seven days a week. It's a different vibe at every club. You can go to Buckhead, they are gyrating at their clubs. In Bankhead, they in the Pool Palace doing the "Pool Palace" until they back start gettin' sore or you can go to Decatur and they getting "Crazy Man"... or you can get Ying Yang and go to the strip club. Like I said, there is something to do seven days a week in Atlanta.
Ballerstatus.com: What do you mean when you say your voice is your instrument and that is why you chose the name Da Muzicianz?
D-Roc: It's like when I was at the BET Awards and I kept making that "heh" noise... that is my instrument. When we are saying our raps, that is our instruments. If we say anything on your beat, that is our instrument.
Ballerstatus.com: Your song "Camera Phone" is doing real well on radio, what inspired that song?
Da Muzicianz: Whenever we're asked to take a picture, in most cases, it's with a camera phone 'cause everybody has a camera phone.
Ballerstatus.com: Other than Mr. Collipark, who else is on the production and who are some of the other artists featured on the album?
Da Muzicianz: Cheezy on the production. We have two Midnight Black tracks. And features, we have Geeskie, Kuzin Big Boyy & Countrie Biggz, Fabo of D4L, Smitty and you know we had to do some Ying Yang, so my boy Kaine is on the album.
Ballerstatus.com: D-Roc, you are no stranger to radio play, was it difficult to get radio play for the group?
D-Roc: Yes and no. When it comes to the business, that friend sh-- is out the door. I still had to get out there and network. They may play the song while you there, but when you leave, they probably throw that sh-- in the trash. So, I really had to push hard for radio play.
Ballerstatus.com: How effective has MySpace.com been for your career?
Da Muzicianz: Oh my God, MySpace has been huge for us. It keeps us connected to our fans, letting them know what we have going on. Myspace is huge period! It is really our page, we are the ones who check it and we do accept all friends [laughing]. I think Tom may be mad at us because we have been promoting heavy and we ain't paying and I think you have to pay if you promote the way we do. It's a huge networking tool.
Ballerstatus.com: Any message to your fans?
Da Muzicianz: Yeah, thanks for your support and cop the album, Da Muzicianz in stores now.
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