Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing local Detroit rapper, Royce Fann, founder of Cool Fann Music Group. He explains the meaning behind his latest project, talks about some of the issues with the Detroit music scene and what he’s doing about it. Hit upthe links to follow and most definitely check out his mixtapes and video below!

 Me: I know u have your mixtape out Fann vs. Fans. So what are you currently working on?

Royce: I’m working on my new mixtape titles Fuck Yo Promotion. 

Me: That’s interesting. You have Fan vs. Fans now Fuck Yo Promotion.  What’s the meaning behind it.?

Royce: I came up with the title Fuck Yo Promotion because it’s like a lot of politics in Detroit and… l just felt like really, Fuck Yo Promotion.  It’s a lot of janky promoters in the business of music in Detroit. They are really charging artists to do shows… and they not really putting on for the city. They’re bringing people here from out of town and not really helping us.  I felt like, it seems like you can’t even get radio play without a radio song that sounds like down south music.

It’s like a dedication to the politics. I’m speaking on stuff like, in Detroit a lot of bull shit that’s going on in our city and how we need help.

It’s really a lifestyle. I’m coming up with a clothing line for it. Say somebody hating on you and you know, speaking yo name up… I’m like Fuck Yo Promotion because they speaking bad on me.  I don’t need you – Any promoter that aint’ helping me fuck they promotion. Plus the radio, with the DJ’s that’s on the bull shit and promoting the bull shit out of town and not bringing money here. So basically that’s what the title is for.

Me: Ok that’s cool; with that being said, how has being from Detroit molded you as an artist and business man?  

Royce: Being from Detroit molded me to be strong. If you can survive in Detroit you can survive anywhere in the music game because it’s a lot of haters here. Nobody support each other it’s like these people do their thing with their people and I’m doing my thing with my people and nobody’s helping each other.

Everybody is divided and it’s like a war in this music. Even on the streets it’s just crazy here.

Me: So you have showcases at the Bullfrog…. that’s kind of a way to counteract what you’re talking about. So is that why you came up with the idea?

Royce: Yeah that’s why I came up with the shows. I felt like I wanted to put something together for good artists that don’t have anywhere to perform in a good environment and where it’s not a contest and a bunch of cliques.  Everybody’s just showing love, and that’s what I base my shows on is showing love to each other because it’s hard out here as an independent artist. Nobody wants to respect your craft until you make it.

Me: So what’s a regular night like for the showcase?

Royce: Our showcases are pretty nice. What I do is- give them like 7/8 minute sets, sometimes They just come out, do they thing on a show. I like to have regular people there. I really don’t want my show based on rappers rapping to rappers. So I try to bring a regular crowd so people can possibly sell their music if the people like it. It’s really about love at my shows. I don’t deal with the haters either. If you don’t like somebody’s music then keep it to yourself. You can’t be boo-ing and all that get off the stage. If you do, I will put you out, give you your money back and tell you “have a nice day because that aint’ what we do here.”

We can’t really hate on each other here, I keep using this person as an example… Lil B. A lot of people don’t like him but he got a fan base. I aint’ hatin’ on him; I like the cookin’ dance, I do the cookin’ dance. As long as you believe in yourself go for it. I don’t deal with the wack rappers who don’t do any of the things that they talk about. It’s cool to use your imagination but it’s really all about truth and facts.

Me: I remember in your song Celebration on Fann vs. Fans you said it’s not about the fame. What is that you want people to take from your music, what’s the message?

Royce: I’m based on being yourself and being proud of who you are and where you come from. Like I said I’m not in it for the money I’m not really in for the fame. I just really want to be heard and be a voice. It’s like everybody in Detroit talk about selling dope.

I’m not one of them. You know, I went to school… I was raised by my parents. I never really came from a bad home. A lot of people in Detroit try to be something that they not, and not accepting themselves. Just because you came from the hood don’t mean you hood. A lot of people really don’t want to be themselves. So that’s what it means to me; being able to get that message out in the open.

Me: Who are some of the artists that have inspired you?

Royce: Artist! I always said… it’s crazy too, Heavy D died… Heavy D, that’s my homie. I respect all the big artists because I’m a big artist. Shout out to all the overweight lovers out there…

But, um Heavy D, Biggie, 2Pac, Jay-Z…  It’s a lot of names… Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, It’s a lot of people. I can’t even name, but some people that I’m really diggin’ now that’s out Nipsey Hustle. I like Wiz but he went kind of commercial.  Chub Rock, NWA of course, I like all that type of music, and a lot of 90’s music.

Me:  Earlier you talked about coming out with a line; but what’s your ultimate goal for your career?

Royce: I really want to be the person that gets my music out here. I’m not really intro whether I get a industry deal. That’s ok, but if not it’s alright. I just really want to get my message out here worldwide. If I could be on the underground level worldwide I would do that. That’s what I really want. If I can’t do that, then I would like to write for somebody.

Me: So who makes the beats; because I’ll hear a song and it seems like it’s about to be a sample. Then it takes like a whole ‘nother turn. I’m listening like yeah I’m feeling this…  It’s different but something I can still vibe to.

Royce: Number Street K, he from here in Detroit. Another dude Destro Tha Top Gun from Knockin’ Music. He’s the one who does the samples. I do actually have samples.  Number Street K does all the original stuff.  It’s a few other people who I mess wit from out of town. Jay Rum is from Miami, and another dude HB, he from like Pennsylvania.

So shout out to them. They really just did the whole project.

Me: I really like Revenue, the first song on Fann vs. Fans…

Royce: Yeah that’s Number Street K…

Me: That was a banger. I Be Foolin was a banger, and the chill song My,My,My…

Royce: Yeah that was Destro Tha Top Gun.

Me: Actually, I liked the whole mixtape. I think it flowed real nice, I could listen straight through without skipping a song. I like the lyrics, and how it’s not just predictable rap. It seems real. It’s a lot of people who rap but when you look at ‘em they don’t fit that persona.

Me: But um… let’s talk clothes! You know fashion is my thing. What’s your personal style? What do you like to wear?

Royce: I like to wear Levis.  501’s are my favorite jeans. I like Vans.  I wear a lot of vans, but only the SK8 His with the checker board on there.

Uh, I like wearing t-shirts and polo’s BUT not too much Polo. Don’t want to look typical… Basically regular stuff. I aint’ into all that name brand stuff no more like Louis, Gucci, Prada. I don’t really do that no more. I like different stuff… graphic tees. You I’m representin’ for the Negro Leagues black power haha…

ROYCE FANN FACEBOOK

ROYCE FANN TWITTER

ROYCE FANN: FANN vs.FANN MIXTAPE

ROYCE FANN F’*CK IT FRIDAY SHOWCASE