By Damilola Grey
Dami: What was your first introduction to music?
rooney toones: Both my parents were avid music listeners; mainly big fans of old Bollywood and classical Indian music, along with rock music from the 60’s like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Eagles. I was in chorus for most of my time throughout middle school and high school, so I mainly started out singing and then everything went from there.
Dami: Would you say Bollywood music influenced your sound?
rooney toones: Not as much as I thought; I used to not really like Bollywood music. I thought it was super cheesy. It was then that I realized how many of the songs I grew up listening to were Bollywood samples, like Indian Flute by Timbaland, and even Toxic by Britney Spears was a Bollywood sample. I think as I got older, I started appreciating it a lot more.
Dami: What inspired you to start making music?
rooney toones: It was actually my best friend who got me into making music. He pulled up to my house one summer before my sophomore year and said that he was making an album this summer and asked if I wanted a verse on it. I got two verses in and that was the beginning of that. Granted I didn’t realize back then I wasn’t the best rapper but it was the spark that got me to where I am rn.
Dami: Would you say a lot has changed sound-wise for you since then?
rooney toones: Oh, for sure. The last few years since my junior year in college, I’ve been sampling like a mad man. It’s been a blessing honestly. I’m listening to music from all around the world from any time period. There’s a vast amount of amazing music in the world that will never see the light of day.
Dami: How would you describe your sound?
rooney toones: Very stripped back. I like to keep things simple. It leaves room for more collaboration and makes for a better song.
Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?
rooney toones: I got a very long list honestly lol, but I’ll keep it short. Dilla, Madlib, The Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Kanye (the music, not the person), and Conductor Williams as of late cause his beats are different than anything I’ve heard in the last few years. I love Pharrell, Timbaland. Yeah, I could go on forever.
Dami: You just dropped your debut album. Tell us more about it.
rooney toones: For sure. I wanna start a series of tapes called “Rooney n Friends” where I just get my friends and any other rappers, singers or producers I meet and click with and work with them. It’s all in the love of good music. I feel like in this day and age of music, collaboration is way more important than it has ever been.
Dami: Is this album the start of the series?
rooney toones: Yeah honestly, I just wanna start putting out more tapes. Whether they’re on streaming services or on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.
Dami: Is it going to be a regular thing?
rooney toones: Yeah, I’m tryna make it one. My goal is to be more consistent with releases. We’re in an age where the more content you have out, the more success you will see. But that shouldn’t take away from the quality of the work so there’s a balance.
Dami: So, do you already have the sequel planned?
rooney toones: I’ll probably start working on it down the line. Right now, I have a few beat tapes planned out, but there is a deluxe version of “Rooney n Friends” volume 1 in the works as we speak.
Dami: What should we expect from it?
rooney toones: Just some more amazing rappers hopping on the instrumentals from the album, not gonna say who so as not to spoil the surprise.
Dami: What do you want listeners to take away after listening to your music?
rooney toones: To appreciate the friends and family around you, and to appreciate good music.
Dami: What’s your creative process like?
rooney toones: I don’t really have one locked down. I like to listen to old records and music for about an hour or two and then take inspiration from what I heard and put it into my own creations. A lot of the time I spend making music, I’m looking for cool samples.
Dami: What are 3 words you’ll use to describe your music?
rooney toones: Damn that’s tough. First word I would say is bouncy, and then I guess I’d say vibrant and just all-around fun.
Dami: Is the “Rooney n Friends” series your only planned drop for the year or do you have some extra shit planned?
rooney toones: I got a few more things I would like to drop, but nothing as big as the first “Rooney n Friends”. I’m just ecstatic that this project is out and I finally have quality piece of work out. It’s been a good week, I’ll say that.
Dami: What else you tryna achieve this year?
rooney toones: Just get more music out at the moment. I also DJ on the side so I would love to get more gigs in my city and other cities in the country.
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