Who is Mistr Roundtree? Find out below
People often ask me what my definition of hip-hop is. As an artist, I understand the evolution of this art form. Hip-hop isn't a lifestyle; it’s an expression of life. How we tell our stories is unlimited. A simple rhyme will always resonate with someone, whether you come from the suburbs or the hood.
Afro-Punk rapper Mistr Roundtree hails from Cape May County, New Jersey. I discussed the highs and lows of his career, the release of his new music, and how an artist can secure a top spot in the music industry during an exclusive interview. He exemplifies our NJ indies because he explains how critical it is to stay on top of your game and grow as your career progresses.
Hey Mistr Roundtree! I appreciate you taking the time out to talk. How are you doing today?
What’s up, Amirah! I’m happy to be doing this interview with you today.
Great, when did you discover your passion for music, and when did you decide to pursue a music career?
Music has always been a passion of mine. One night when I was a kid, I snuck out of the house to go to this rap cipher at a friend's house. As everyone was freestyling and rapping, I decided to sit in my corner and write my rhyme. When I finished writing, I decided to show everyone what I had written. I decided to hone my writing skills in the aftermath of that moment. In grade school, I began to play the trumpet, and I still do so today. Around 2013, my mom tried to throw away my old trumpet, and I stopped her. Since I still had use for that skill, I decided to sharpen my skills. In my first recorded song, "Funky," you can hear me playing the trumpet. Then, I decided to take my music career to the next level by releasing mixtapes and working on new music.
Let's discuss how you developed your skill to entertain people through your writing and other activities. At what point did you get comfortable performing in front of others?
At a young age, I was groomed to be on stage. My first stage performance was when I was eight years old. I stole the show during my sister’s talent show performance. I hit a split in front of the audience. After winning a poetry contest in middle school, I became more confident in my writing. It confirmed to me that I had natural talent. While winning the poetry contest wasn't the moment I decided to become an artist, it planted the seeds that led me down the path I'm on today.
So how long did it take for you to take your music career to the next level? When did you decide that what you were doing was fun and you wanted to make a career out of it?
My, what a long process this has been. You are never indeed done creating yourself when you are an artist. Initially, though, the release of my first mixtape, "Self-Taught," sparked my creativity. I put my heart and soul into the project. I recorded most of the songs at home during that time because I was so relentless. I would spend only 5-10 minutes on each piece when it was time to record them in the studio. After a while, the studio managers didn't want to charge me for an entire session because I was done so early. After I released the project, it was widely accepted by my peers. They gave me the confidence to keep going. Over time, the struggles of my life caused a strain on my love of music for a period. Finding my identity outside of music and bonding with music helped me develop as an artist.
Many artists go through growing pains as they develop their music. Describe the experience of having a love-hate relationship with music.
Since the beginning of my career, I have dealt with this issue. The love/hate relationship with music is universal, whether you're a music mogul or an indie like me. I experienced one of the most significant reality checks when I had my daughter in my career. I started my journey on my own. Music was my sole passion. My daughter is indeed a blessing to me, but I had to acknowledge that a music career can be very selfish. Raising a child requires as much time and dedication as having a music career. I ended up taking a career break because of balancing these two responsibilities. My hiatus brought me a lot of problems; I lost my job, ran into the law, and dealt with family issues. Even though I dealt with a significant amount of anxiety at this time, this period in my life helped develop me as a mature man. As much as I once viewed responsibility as a blow to my career, it is now an integral part of what motivates me to go the distance. Every day, I tell my daughter that she can be anything she wants to be if she works hard. Without exemplifying the same things in my own life, I can't be an example for her.
It's great to hear how your journey has matured you. Your story about coming of age seems to have inspired your work in some way. Your music gives me a feeling of self-awareness or self-assurance. You have a neo-soul sound in your music; how would you describe your overall creatively comfortable space in hip-hop?
Since the sound of music is so fluid these days, I wouldn't say I like to put labels on my genre or niche. However, if I were to be categorized, I would be considered Afro-Punk. My hometown is Cape May County in New Jersey. Hip-hop often portrays an urban lifestyle that I didn't grow up in. I enjoy skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding. People told me that most of what we do in our culture as black people weren't accustomed to these things. I offer an alternative perspective of being black in America through my music. I try to write material that is relatable to all the listeners.
I appreciate your direct explanation. Let's talk about your song "Been Awhile," which was released in 2019. It is an excellent piece for when someone wants to go out and have fun. What was the creative process behind the song, and what was its success?
I think of my creative process as if it were a tree. It grows slowly, but once it sprouts, I'm deeply rooted. My music is more meaningful; therefore, my listeners feel a sense of purpose behind the sound. I took my time to build the song into what it is before recording it in the studio. I produced the beat for it, wrote the music, and then memorized it so that I could go straight to finishing it in the studio. Going deeper into the song's content displays me as the hopeless romantic I am. In the song, I rap from a vantage point, trying to pick the brain of a woman I came across. I don't rap about women in a way that objectifies them because that wouldn't represent my upbringing. I don't mean for it to be a feel-good song, but I wanted listeners to think of something they haven't done in a long time. We shot the video at Millennium Skate World in Camden, New Jersey. The concept behind the video was that the world was in quarantine for a year, and skating was something I feel people could relate to not doing for a while. The video aired on BET JAMS, and we were on the Music U Live Brink! TV countdown for the past eight weeks. This piece has given me success; it's a prized possession of mine.
Wow, that’s dope! Congrats on your success. Recently, you released a single with another artist called "Proverbs." Do you plan to release more music?
Thank you for asking because I have been eager to discuss this topic. My next EP will be released after the video for Proverbs has been released. Can I reveal the name of the project?
It will be a Jersey Watch exclusive to hear it here first!
"Go for Broke" will be the name of my next project. I'll let Jersey Watch know as soon as it's available!
Wow, here it is first for our readers! Why the name "Go for Broke"?
The naming was very unintentional, but it was intentional. I originally wanted to call the project All Over the Place since it described its artistic direction. An artist who released their album within the last year named their project. So, in a moment of defeat, I said to my friend, “You know what?! I might as well go for broke!” At that moment, my boy searched the song on Google, and it worked as a name. It not only worked for Google analytics, but I wanted my fans to know I went all out to make it work. Many people do not realize the financial backing it takes to be an independent artist. Not only do we pour our hearts and souls into the music, but we will also pour any change we have leftover after taking care of all of life's responsibilities. I hope my listeners enjoy listening to it as much as I wanted to make it.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your next project. Thanks for sharing those details. You were a lot of fun to talk to today. Your funny personality made this experience memorable. Before we close, is there anything else you would like to tell our readers who are independent artists?
Put it out! Discover your aesthetic as an artist. The sooner you figure out a pleasing aesthetic for yourself, the more consistent you will release good music. If you don't have many responsibilities, you should work harder since it won't last forever. So, work hard while it's convenient for you. As a musician, the sooner you begin working hard, staying consistent, and discovering yourself, the better you will be. The industry is all about business. That is one thing I have learned. Handling business can sometimes be cold, but it is well when you’re covered. Take a backup of your music on a flash drive or hard drive. Nobody can take advantage of you if you save your masters. Having to recover during the low points of my career was not conducive to my job. Therefore, handle your business, be consistent, and market yourself.
Watch this space for updates on Mistr Roundtree's upcoming EP! His story of maturing into the music industry will encourage others to learn from his challenges to succeed gracefully. Check back next week to find out who I will interview next.
