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April 30, 2008
ROCK CITY
INEVITABLE
By: kaya.lah
From Our Apr. - May 2008 Issue
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If there is ever a true story that tells of success through perseverance and dedication, I will show you one more from our little island. Enter to the main stage Timothy and Theron Thomas. This duo of creative genius has taken the underworld and made a name for themselves by ghost-writing and producing for some of the biggest names in the industry. If you don’t know, get familiar. Don’t worry though because it’s...Inevitable...Rock City...
Oswald Harris Court is not a “bed of Roses” or a nurturing place for the soft at heart. Housin’ as it is more popularly known is as urban an environment as you can find in the Virgin Islands. However, it has grown more than its share of diamonds in its rough ground, as it is with any ghetto. After graduating from Charlotte Amalie High School in 2000, the brothers were known as ‘2-Equip,’ doing their remixes to popular songs and performing on local shows. They moved to Miami and performed on their first international show in Atlanta opening for Jam Band for $350, needless to say the brothers never went back to the MIA. While in Atlanta, Rock City got on a label, which was not advantageous to say the least. Theron’s daughter was born in 2003 and they moved back home for ten months in 2004. They got regular jobs and honed their craft, sprouting their first mix tape with LP Records called “Why We Ain’t Got A Deal Yet?”
Upon returning to Atlanta in 2005 things changed for the better when they hooked up with another Rock Youth making his way, DJ Benny D. Rock City started to perform every Thursday; in a nightspot called 20 Grand, where Benny D was the DJ. In Atlanta at the same time a Senegalese youth was making his way to stardom by the name of Akon, whom they got to know personally through Josh Spice, a mutual friend. Akon was then in the need of a new DJ, and Rock City introduced Benny D to Akon; the rest of that story is a feature in itself, but back to the kids from ‘Housin Up De Side Building 19.’ The arrangement made between Rock City and Benny D shows true dedication to ones word; meaning after Benny D made it to the mainstream of Pop culture, he did not forget the talented brothers whom he was on the brink of quitting music with. Upon getting into the Konvicted Camp, the two created a name for themselves writing for Akon and others, as well learning the game and mastering their skills until the appropriate time.
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Early last year I was on the internet and saw a song done by Akon featuring Rock City, simply called “Losing It.” The track starts with a searing melody by Theron, then the track drops and you would swear you were listening to TRL or 106 & Park! This song is a heavy hitter and was originally done by Rock City for R&B Star Trey Songz. Trey’s label did not think the hook was strong enough so they passed on it. By this time Timothy and Theron were already signed to Interscope Records and their A&R Erica Grayson convinced the brothers to take on the song. The funny part is; Akon is not even on the song, but you have long since forgotten that and could care less. Last year they released their ‘Black Beatles’
Mixtape hosted by Atlanta’s DJ Trauma; a classic to keep in your car or IPod. My personal favorite is ‘Who’s Laughing Now,’ a solid Atlanta Snap beat laced with a famous AC/DC riff, which unfortunately will not be available on their upcoming album. It is filled with remixes and originals that clearly show Rock City’s creative brilliance and versatility.
Theron aka “Da Spokesman, is ‘just what it say,’ the spokesman.” He is the energy filled extrovert of the two; a dynamic singer with extensive vocal range and a pretty decent MC. Timothy aka “Don’t Talk Much, is ‘just wha it say also,’ he don’t talk much.” He is the reserved, center of calm for the duo; a lyrical genius in the same pattern of Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, and Jay-Z. Come to think of it, on the song called ‘We First,’ where Mr. Carter’s statement about St. Thomas (In my lifetime go do your research/St. Thomas my n**** that was we first), is used as a killer hook, Timothy rips a hole in the track with no pity. On the same track in between the lyrical assault by Timothy, Theron smoothes it over with perfect pitch melodies. To put it in perspective, the two complement each other in every varying mode, but are exact opposites with the same level of skill and creativity.
It goes without saying that the brothers are proud to be Virgin Islanders. There is no song that I have heard, barring “Losing It” (being a love song), from Rock City that does not mention the VI multiple times; from Tola to Bordeaux and all areas in between. ‘Dem bwoy dey does represent.’ The importance of them touting where they originate goes deeper than appears on the surface. Theron explains, ‘We walk into a room and greet people, Yea we are Rock City from the Virgin Islands. So in case you did not know, you know now.” It creates a stigma that has not been there for the Virgin Islands, one that says major talent comes from the VI and you record executives need to look into it. I mean once platinum selling artists are contracting these two to produce hits for them what more convincing do you need. Expect nothing short of brilliance coming from Rock City, starting with their upcoming album ‘Wake The Neighbors’ as well as their always bubbling mix tape game.
Yea we are Rock City from the Virgin Islands. So in case you did not know, you know now
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