One of the brilliant things about collaborative music groups is that there's always work to be done. Accounting for half of the super group Writer's Guild, Mr. Miranda and Random a.k.a Mega Ran hit the road earlier this month to tour with fellow local emcee Mouse Powell, allowing group member RoQ'y TyRaid time to work on his latest solo project, The Dichotomy of RoQ'y TyRaiD.
"This is the "TyRaiD" side of RoQ'y TyRaiD," he says.
For his latest single, "Royale with Cheese," RoQ'y finds inspiration in Jules Winnfield, the character made famous by Samuel L. Jackson in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.
"This is the, 'you're going to respect it, even if by force,' side of me," he says. Now that's some cold-blooded shit to say.
See also: Random, Mr. Miranda, and Mouse Powell: Phoenix Hip-Hop Trio Announce West Coast Tour See also: Writer's Guild: Don't Call Mr. Miranda, MC Pennywise, Mega Ran and RoQ'y TyRaiD a "Supergroup"
Up on the Sun: You just dropped "Royale with Cheese" off of your new project, The Dichotomy of RoQ'y TyRaiD. What's the story behind the track?
RoQ'y TyRaiD: You know, honestly, I was feeling that competitive spirit once again, following a rather creatively productive summer. I was so completely engulfed in "work, work, work" and progression that I stopped looking at my competition, out there. So, after an in-person "TyRaiD" episode, I started writing with certain people in mind. That old battle spirit is back. Basically, this is a theatrical and eloquent, "F You."
Shout to Arza from Phoenix for the beat. His ear is dope.
As far as the name, I just thought it was some cold-blooded shit to say to a motherfucker ... okay, I'll stop, I wanted to get away with the quote, it was worth the try, don't judge me.
You say this is the "TyRaiD" side of RoQ'y TyRaiD. What do you mean by that?
I meant from the perspective of duality. This is the, "you're going to respect it, even if by force," side of me. TyRaiD mode involves me sonically pulling your spine through your chest plate. It's "win, lose, or draw", all of that. Unhealthy but the purpose of TyRaiD is to prove a point.
It's utter determination.
Clearly you mean to explore the duality behind the man behind the microphone. What are the two sides of RoQ'y TyRaiD?
I'm a fan of duality, I celebrate it within my work. I believe in the dichotomy of things. My name is a prime example. Whereas with RoQ you may get clean-cut, or introspective music, or music drawn from personal experiences; even quirky songs such as "I Quit." TyRaiD is the overtly passionate side of things, in all variations. That's the one who's spazzing around on stage. RoQ'y is, "Her Bourne Identity," if you will, while TyRaiD is "Bye Felicia." Even better, RoQ is, "Year Round School," and TyRaiD is, "Put It On Wax."
This isn't some marketing ploy or forcing myself to appear "different". It's all authentic -- my disposition is a wild card. I just chose to embrace it, whether it's me reserved and socially off or the social bug on his soap box expressing 110 percent of his mind.
When is the album dropping and what can we expect from it?
Let's bring it as soon as possible, folks. Won't be until after the holidays, though. Want to give the heads enough time to stretch their arms and hop out of bed and into the first quarter.
You can expect a medley of different expressions, lyrically. Personal triumphs, spazzing, fun songs, joints about the love life, subtle personal political themes sprinkled in. I do want to say I may have impersonated a few voices like Barack Obama and Hank Hill in a song but that's for you to find out reader. You can insert cheesy wink and eye-twinkle, here. Maybe a NBC, "the more you know" star will work, too.
Shout out to my supporters, The RoQ Riffs! We don't do the "fan@ thing, we're a unit like the warriors, baby. One hand washes the other.
Stay tuned, boppers, stay tuned.
