Some artists step into music; others are pulled into it by destiny. For Rocky Neal, the calling came in an unforgettable way—20 missed calls, 40 messages, and an invitation to rap for the legendary Cassidy. That pivotal moment sparked a journey that has carried him from hoop dreams to dropping singles that prove his versatility, depth, and drive to leave an enduring mark on hip-hop.
In this interview, Rocky opens up about his influences, personal stories that fuel his music, the obstacles he’s overcome, and the vision he’s creating for the future.
When did you first realize rap was more than just a hobby for you, and what was the moment that made you say, “This is it”?
My first time realizing rap was more than just a hobby was in 2017. I was playing basketball and one of my brothers kept calling me on a Sunday. I had like 20 missed calls and 40 messages because the artist Cassidy was in town and he wanted me to rap for him. As soon as I left the gym, I headed to the location and rapped for him, and Cassidy told me I had what it takes—that everyone doesn’t have it. I took heed and dropped my first single Too Smooth in 2019 and had great feedback.
When you’re writing, do you start with the beat, the lyrics, or a feeling you want to capture?
It depends, but my favorite is when my producer Ocnlsh (Ocean•Lush) is making a beat from scratch based on a feeling or sound I asked him to make, and I’m coming up with witty wordplay or cadences to compliment the beat and sounds being made.
Which artists or life experiences have shaped your style the most, and how can listeners hear that influence in your music?
I have 8 older brothers, so I was blessed to hear and understand music a lot earlier than others. A few of my inspirations are Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Fabolous, Biggie, DMX, Jadakiss, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang, and Kanye. You can hear this through my wordplay, double and triple entendres, breath control, the slight aggression I use in certain tracks, and the cadences I bring to certain choruses.
If someone had never heard your music before, which one track should they start with, and why?
I’d tell them to start with the first track me and Ocnlsh ever did, LOL. My whole motive musically is versatility, and that track blends rapping with melodic cadences on the chorus, which captures who I am as an artist.
What’s the hardest obstacle you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
The hardest obstacle has been building a team. Everyone has their own life and priorities you can’t control. To overcome it, I’ve tried to learn as much as I can so I’m not too needy, and I just keep my head down, stay focused, and keep working toward the goal.
You’ve probably lived through moments your fans don’t know about—what’s one personal story behind a song that changed how you see life or music?
I have a cousin who passed, and reports say he self-deleted by jumping off a building. I named the song Shamel Williams after him so his name lives on for his daughter. Hopefully, when she gets older, she can listen to the song and smile. I also had a friend who was murdered—we were supposed to do a track together. I used a snippet of him rapping and placed it at the beginning of a track called Victor Glover after him, so his name lives on and his kids can smile when they think of him.
How do you feel about the current state of hip hop, and where do you see yourself fitting into it?
I feel the current state of hip hop has evolved and will continue to evolve. I see myself being among the greats with my team right there with me every step of the way.
What’s the most misunderstood thing about you as an artist or person, and how does your music set the record straight?
The most misunderstood thing is me singing on some tracks. My music sets the record straight because it shows I’m not a one-trick pony.
When people talk about you years from now, what do you want them to say about your impact on the culture?
I want them to say the next artists followed the blueprint I laid out and elevated it. There’s no one “right” way to get into the industry, and too many people are talented for there not to be more than one path to becoming a megastar.
What’s coming up next that fans should be excited about—whether it’s music, performances, or collaborations?
I have new singles set to drop, no dates yet. I also have a collaboration with a local artist where he’s opening up about changing his life over to religion for his family’s betterment, while I’m inspiring our people to avoid doing evil and be a beacon of hope because I’ve done wrong before.
🔥 Rocky Neal’s story is one of resilience, versatility, and vision. From turning pain into powerful music to pushing the boundaries of sound, he’s proving that hip hop is more than a genre for him—it’s a platform for legacy.
