We had the good fortune of connecting with R.O.C. Respect Original Creation and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi R.O.C., is there something you believe many others might not?
Someone once told me (in regards to my music), “never give your best bars when you’re featuring on someone else’s song.” Worst advice ever. If you know me, you know that I aim body every beat. It doesn’t matter if it’s my song or not. If I’m a feature I want your song to sound like MY song. I’ll never not give it my all.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been rapping since I was in the 2nd grade and singing since the 4th. My entire life has been wrapped around music. Constantly growing and improving. I pride myself in never staying the same. Especially on a song. I’m constantly switching my flow and cadence. I’m always trying new things. One thing I love is a challenge. I’ll never back down from any thrown my way. My motto is “there’s always room for improvement”. No matter how good I get I can always get better. I’m really excited for my album to drop this year called Quinn•tessential (release date TBA). It’s very different than anything I’ve ever done. I got to where I am with the help of people that believe in me and instilled their wisdom into me. I’ve always been a sponge and I’ll always be a student of the game, I like to consider myself to be a teacher now as well. It wasn’t easy by any stretch of imagination to get to this point, but it was well worth it. Trial and error is the only way you can succeed. An L is only a lesson, never a loss. Once you get to that mindset you will always win. I want the world to know that true HipHop is and has always been alive. And I’ll be the one to keep it alive if nobody else can. I mean, we don’t call ourselves De$tined4Greatness for nothing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Lexington, KY is a pretty small city. There’s things to do but there’s not a lot. But I’d have to take them to Thursday Night Live downtown. There’s usually a band next to the old court house and plenty of bars and clubs to visit just within that general area. Take them to Creaux, which is a nice little New Orleans inspired cocktail bar. They always have a live band playing and the food is amazing as well as the drinks. I would take them to the 21C. The artwork is phenomenal and if I’m not mistaken they’re all local art. if I can be honest I’m a karaoke man. I love it. I just figured out recently that there’s a lot of places that do it. But Chinoe Bar is the best one. It’s always crackin. I’d take them on campus to the campus bars. It be pretty lit lol. I’d take them to the country side away from the lights. Down the country roads and stuff. Actually now that I’m thinking about there is quite a bit to do lol. Those just happen to be my favorite.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost shoutout to my daughter Ameika Love. Everything I do is for you baby girl. Shoutout to my label De$tined4Greatness Ent for standing behind me every step of the way! (St. Pierre, Litty Red, Chef Braylin, Renee and Demetric Hobbs of Hobbs Photography, my producer/engineer TrapBoi Steve, Gosh Josh, Marley Carter). Shoutout my big brother Vince and my mom and dad for blessing me with and nurturing my talent. Shoutout Louisville, KY for becoming my second home and all the artists there for accepting me. Much love. Shoutout to everybody that believes in me and supports me. You know who you are. And last but not least shoutout my city Lexington, KY and all of my artists colleagues there that came before me and have been growing with me and that will come after me. We up next yall and that’s on me.

Instagram: Respect_Original_Creation

Facebook: Roc ForShort

Youtube: Respect Original Creation

Other: Label Instagram: wearedestined4greatnessent Label Facebook: De$tined4Greatness Ent R.O.C. TikTok: Respect Original Creation

Image Credits
Hobbs Photography, Marley Carter (Sunny Visuals)

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