S. Samuel
After recently revealing why he chose to sign with Maybach Music Group over Bad Boy Records, Chicago rapper Rockie Fresh hit up SOHH to discuss getting unexpected props from stars like Diddy and Kevin Durant.
Fresh said out of all the co-signs he has received as of late, Diddy’s stands out the most.
“Oh yeah, definitely, definitely the Rick Ross thing but then also Diddy, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, people that I’ve been looking up to my whole life,” Fresh told SOHH when asked about the biggest co-signs he has received since blowing up. “I don’t fan out over people, but at the same time, it’s one of those things that’s shown me how real it has gotten. I play [NBA] 2K a lot and I use Derrick Rose and Durant like every day when I play the game. Same thing with Diddy, especially being a young dude, he’s been such a big dude in hip-hop, he’s the richest man in the industry right now, too. So it’s just one of those things for those guys, where I’m able to relate to them at age 20, I’m 21 now, but working on my Driving 88 mixtape I was 20, and to know I have the content that could catch those guys’ attention, it’s motivating.” (SOHH)
Recently, Rockie opened up on his motivation for signing to MMG.
“I’m a super humble dude and prior to getting offers, I didn’t even expect to get signed by other rappers,” Fresh revealed in an interview. “When Ross and Diddy both hit me up in the same week and they were interested in taking meetings, it was just one of those things where I felt so blessed by it — I didn’t take it like a bidding war. It’s an honor. The thing with Ross is, Diddy’s the number one dude on Forbes right now, he’s got a label that’s been going on forever and it’s one of those things where he’s always going to be a force in the industry and also, you know, Maybach is his little brother. It’s one of those things where I just wanted to be a part of a new movement and really be a part of making history in the long-run and kind of making sure Ross gets to that same level Diddy gets to.” (Los Angeles Leakers)
Earlier this month, the Chicago-bred emcee dished on aligning himself alongside Ross’ team.
“I mean, outside of the money, nothing, really. I’m still super hungry and I’ve got huge goals with rap,” Fresh said when asked what has changed since joining MMG. “I really want to win several Grammys and things like that, so my work ethic has only intensified because I’m just one step closer to making that happen. Outside of that, I still stay in the same crib, hang out with the same people. I’m in Chicago walking right now as I’m talking to you. It’s just a lot more people that know me. But my brand and the music that I make is about day-to-day life, living a regular life, and the struggles that come with that. I just want to keep myself in that element so I can stay relatable to the people that got me here. So, not too much has changed.” (Pigeons & Planes)
In August, R&B veteran R. Kelly embraced Chicago hip-hop newcomers like Fresh and Chief Keef exploding into the spotlight.
“I feel really good that Chief Keef and all of those guys, those guys are from my hood, so I’m definitely proud of the fact that finally Chicago has got the light on ’em,” Kells told MTV News when he paid us a visit in July. All of the hoopla surrounding his hometown has the R pretty excited about the future of Chi’s music scene. “I guarantee that once these guys come up that light is never gonna go out,” Kelly promised. “There’s a lot of talent in Chicago, a whole lot of talent.” (MTV)
Check out a recent Rockie Fresh interview below:
