http://www.myspace.com/rochesterakajuicemusic
peep the song "Turn it Up" its the only one there. that song is HOT and gettin some TV and radio play here. peep the Videos as well......Heres an interview....
Toronto, ON - Highly anticipated by the Canadian hip-hop industry, Rochester AKA Juice's debut album, A NEW DAY, has created media buzz over the past year and has now been released. Almost four years in the making with his crew the Foundation Creative Group, this album is a collaboration of upbeat jives and down-tempo flows.
From the early beginnings of Juice, winning FLOW 93.5 FM's first Soul Search talent contest in 2002 to touring across Canada with Obie Trice, the now Rochester AKA Juice has proved himself to be a lyrical emcee and charismatic performer.
But what does he bring to the table?
Direct from Rochester's bio on the Maple Music site, the lyricist states, "I'm not trying to blend in, I'm trying to change the rap game right now," he says point blank. "Change is gonna come."
HHC readers and aficionados, it's up to you to decide. Get the album.
HHC: Congrats on the new album! It's A NEW DAY! So, Rochester, we've chatted a few times before, but now you have the album out! What has changed for you since we last talked (let's just say a year ago) and how does it feel?
Everything and nothing at the same time. I've grown a lot as a person, I got my daughter now who I love a whole lot. More people are rating me as one of the top emcees and top performers in Canada. But I'm still here, still the same Juice who rocked the mic at Reverb at Hoodies and Timbs 2 years ago and did his first interview with HHC. Just with more knowledge.
HHC: What was the process like? What were the challenges?
The process was… how should I put this… FUCKING STRESSFULL! Not making the tracks or anything like that but just getting the whole Foundation on the same page at the same time, was hectic.
HHC: That video for A New Day is hot! Big up RT! But why didn't you put it on the wax? What's on the wax right now?
We wanted to have vinyl that would cater to all kinds of DJs from the club to the underground to the radio. Plus I wanted to give ya'll a little taste of what's to come off the album and show "A New Day" wasn't the only hot track I had. But don't get it twis' the "New Day" vinyl is on its way, but it's gonna be by itself. Some limited edition shit!
HHC: You're an amazing performer. What gives you that stage presence? Do you practice in front of a mirror?
Hah! Not since I was 6, yo. Can't even tell you where it comes from. It's my love for the music and my passion to express myself I guess. My blood starts boiling and I just go all out.
HHC: I heard you went on tour, was it with Chingy? If so, why were you on tour with that clown?
You got jokes huh? Nah I just did the one show with Chingy at Kool Haus and he was all up in the dressing room like he was afraid to hang or some shit, but it's all good. I think a lot of peeps is scared to come out here cause they heard what happened to Ma$e and dem when tried to floss heavy.
HHC: If you had to put yourself in a category within the hip-hopp industry, would you be gangster, intellectual, jiggy or other? (Taking into consideration that they are all commercial, and if you pick "other" you have to name the category)
I never categorized myself that's like putting a limit on your skills. I'm a rapper but I'm also a human being. Sometimes I feel like partying, sometimes I feel like chillin'. Push the wrong button and there might be some blood spilling. I might spit some intellectual shit or I might just rap for the sake of rapping. I just feel I'm way too sick to be rhyming about one thing all the time. I love all forms of the music and I wanna express it in every way possible.
HHC: What do you think of the current Canadian hip-hop scene? Lacking? Saturated? Growing? Stagnant? How do you differentiate yourself from other rappers, Canadian or otherwise?
I got a question too, why does everybody ask me that? I mean the facts are right in front of you. You got all these tuff rappers on the come up and people still wonder what's going on. We're definitely growing for the better. All we have to do is stick together and establish our own sound and we should be aight, Aight!?!
HHC: Do you have influences other than "urban", "hip-hop"? If so or if not, what are they?
Of course, I listen to a lot of Reggae. That new Damian Marley tune is BIG! There conscious outlook on life should influence us all. It gets real grimy out there but they always tell you to live righteous and stay above all of that. I feel the same way.
HHC: I heard you were almost signed to the label Shoreline before Maple Music, what happened there? Are you happy with your choice? What challenges have you faced now being signed to a label?
It just felt like a better look for me. [Maple Music] we're willing to give us a lot of creative control and that's worth a lot… especially in this industry. But the only problem is we're still independent so we get overlooked on the racks. But as long as I got breath in my lungs I'm going to be shouting A NEW DAY 'til every muh fucka in Canada picks up a copy. Straight Goods!
HHC: How will you continue to promote this album and what's up next for you? Will you be choosing another single and making a video?
You can catch me at all the major events performing with an album in my hand and a "Got Juice" shirt on. Got a few tours I'm working on but it ain't confirmed…yet! The next single is called "I'm Ready" and it's a definite banger! It's ol' school meets new school vibe. We shooting the video in a couple days and you know when RT is behind it, it gonna be real BIG! It should be ready for August, so be on the look out.
HHC: Shout Outs?
Everyone who went to the stores and picked A NEW DAY. Anybody else isn't worth mentioning.
Editor's Note: For more information on Rochester AKA Juice, visit
http://www.maplemusicrecordings.com or
http://www.rochesterakajuice.ca
