Meet FMR Roqqie | Artist , Producer, Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with FMR Roqqie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi FMR, how do you think about risk?
Risk are a necessary evil. Not to say the the act alone brings bad vibes or outcomes. But its definitely something the average person wouldn’t prefer. Even entrepreneurs that know its inevitable on the path to success, you still have to breathe deep and go for the gold. No matter how many times you do it. You never get used to it. You just know better than to run from them because that will lead to missed opportunities. Taking risk has been a bitter sweet road. In the beginning of my career I was all in. I had nothing to lose. More than anything I saw what I deserved. So whatever it took I was more than willing to do. As fate would have it, I prospered. With each step, each risk, each challenge. I became stronger and better at decision making and assessing the risks on the path ahead. I learned that risks are a matter of perception though. What you may see as a risk, another may see as a step that gets them much closer to their dreams. Thats why no matter where you are in life you just have to push forward. We only see things as risks because we are afraid to take the next step. Control your mind and you can control the outcome. There will be times where you experience loss of investments, time, and energy. Those are just lessons on the path to success. So its best to equate failure or loss to mishaps of the effort put in. You aren’t trying if you don’t have at least one mistake. As I get older I am a bit more cautious. I now have things to lose. A life that I have worked for. So I sometimes find myself taking a step back and second guessing things I wouldn’t normally. Thats mainly because you can never be perfect with it. Risks is the only thing you can have plenty life experience with but can never be perfect at. Doesn’t mean you stop. So I can’t stop. My entire existence was risky so stopping now would be a smack in the face to all the trials I went through when I was younger. When I look back I don’t regret any of it because I cannot picture where I would be if I hadn’t took that first step that was scary. I owe it to myself to follow through. So I don’t see risks anymore. Just steps.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There are a few things that set me apart from the rest. Mostly integrity. I already have a full time career that is fulfilling. So maybe the difference is hunger. A lot of artists are hungry, as they should be. But there should always be a limit. Never be so hungry that you’ll let people feed you anything. Mentally that’s not where I am. Honestly, its because of the lack of substance in the music industry. I have been discouraged several times on this journey because I have watched the decline of music and its delivery. But im determined to be myself by any means. No validation needed. So the self respect I exhibit, along with the need to give something more to music, that makes me special. Or responsible. Im mostly proud of my persistence. Everything under the sun has tried to keep me off of this path. But I told myself I would take it serious and go all in if it ever came back around. So here we are. Im also proud of my willingness to learn. I taught myself how to record, produce etc. So that shows determination. I can follow that. I got to where I am by constantly believing in myself. It wasn’t easy either. When you hear things like believe in yourself you’re like ok. Thinking its a basic task. But its not when you live in a place where everyone says they love themselves but no one shows it. The only way to overcome ANY challenges is to be confident. When you’re broke, homeless, lost, toxic and everything bad. Always believe you can overcome it. Thats your lifeline. your super power. I want the world to know that I am. Whatever is after that doesn’t matter. I am represents my existence. I have lived. I have loved. I am giving something so worthy in my music and my existence that it should be celebrated and told even when im gone. My story can only be mine, yes. But my story isn’t unfamiliar to the world. We all go through similar lifestyles. Staying on the path that what YOU want matters. I need the world to know that I love them so much im trying to reach you. Scratch that, im going to reach you. Im going to show you that being the underdog is profitable. Being intelligent is priceless. Its never too late and my story is only the beginning. I plan to teach every listening ear something worth knowing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It really depends on the person and the vibes. For some great artistry and poets worth hearing on a Thursday, I would of course visit vibration Atl. But Thats for the 420 friendly, come as you are, good vibe only folks. But if you trying to club on a Thursday, My Sisters Room is the best for R&B Thursdays. If you want a turn up on a Friday, its Pregame sports bar on MLK. Plus who doesn’t love after hours spots. On a Saturday for a ratchet turn up, I would visit gossip lounge out in Stone Mountain. Worth the drive. Sunday nights can only be for one place and that’s the Bonfire Atl. Great artistry and black owned vendors throughout the entire building. Now if you just want to have some really good drinks for a good price, Cozumel in college park is the move. Best margaritas ever. Louisiana bistreaux has some great food. So does Hattie B’s. If you’re spiritual like me and love seeing nature in its entirety, The Cascade Nature Reserve is the place to go. You can put your feet in the water, sit with the trees and really absorb the peace of creation. If you’re a coffee drinker, there is a black owned coffee spit called cafe Lucia in midtown. worth the try and the food is superb.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first fan was my grandma. She always told me how much i gave her hope because I knew things she knew for sure I wasn’t taught. She would always convince me to rap/recite poetry at family gatherings. She gave me the confidence to be great because she revealed me to my own talents. I was always so eager to show her my literary growth. I never stopped trying. Every level up that I take, she is right in the back of my mind. At a time where giving up seemed logical, she passed. So I took that hurt and focused it on my next steps and went for it with tears in my eyes. My success can also be Accredited to my father. He wasn’t always around. The times that he was he always made sure I knew I could do anything and I didn’t have to change who I was for it. My big sister has always believed in me. Even when I didn’t see it. These days she has made her presence known and shares all my music and constantly tells me how proud of me she is. Along with the people listed above I have my music family to consider for pushing me so far. Brandon Parks is like a brother to me and he sees the version of me that’s already making millions. Xavier Ivey was my first engineer that helped me develop my sound and told me I could win. Spik Guntana helped me fall in love with music all over again. Pushed me through heart break and grief with session after session. Genesis High inspired and pushed me to be the lyrical genius I always knew I could be Literally pulled something out of me that lied dormant. Also my Aunt Toya, she loves everything I do like I couldn’t do anything wrong. Lastly, but far from least, My girlfriend Kalissa helped me evolve spiritually and mentally. Enough to prepare me for all the risks to come. Without her I would still be lost in what I thought was the life for me. thanks to my entire tribe. They know who they are.

Website: www.goddessempire.us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmr_roqqie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoqTheSavage/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWida_iXtYzuFZFRlkY2v1Q

Other: I will have a website soon. Where people can buy merchandise from my music etc.

Image Credits
Kalissa Harrison