Quarantine Cookin': How COVID Created a Hip-Hop Avelanche
Back when the pandemic first hit, finding motivation was like pushing a boulder up a mountain.
With venues closed and studios on lockdown, a select few weaponized quarantine as a head start...Enter Rock-Solid Music Group, an up-and-coming record label right here in the Twin Cities.
Founded in the summer of 2020, RSMG sports a slew of diverse, hyper-driven artists in everything from heavy trap to melody-rich R&B.
Riding their prolific work rate, the crew hosts shows all around the Twin Cities, even tackling the legendary First Ave; an impressive feat for a label born in the pandemic.
I sat down with CEO Jeloni Hudson to hear how his plan for a Hip-Hop renaissance started and where it's headed as we fly through the new year...
What does it mean for you and your team to recieve the type of buzz you’ve been getting?
When we first started two summers ago, we were the stereotypical 'dollar and a dream' story you've heard a million times. So if you'd have told me then that less than two years later, we'd be throwing shows like this? It's unreal. I can't say enough about how grateful we are for a platform like this. We're here.
What is it about Minneapolis hip-hop that resonates with you as an entrepreneur?
Man, I love this community. It's crazy how many talented artists are cutting their teeth here as we speak. My thing though is that I feel like MN hasn't even scratched the surface of their potential. My goal is to bring the community closer as opposed to some of the cliques you see forming. It's great to have a tight inner circle, but it's vital that you're still tapping into other groups and individuals in the area who are chasing the same dream you are. The more we tap in together, the faster we put Minneapolis on the worldwide map.
Now that we’ve heard from the boss man, it's time to meet the crew…
Artist: FreQQ
Mini Bio:
This is freqq coming at you! But my government name is Conor McQuiston, I'm an artist out of NE Minneapolis.
I've already dropped a couple of tracks including (Different Prespectives)(Riding My Wave)(Luv U 4 Ever) and my newest track (Mixing Addictions) I also have a EP dropping called When It Rains It Pours it's about all the kinda fucked up things that happened to me this past year. And I'm Putting it all out there for all of you!
I started writing music when I was 14. I wrote a verse with one of my homies and fell in love! Love at first sight type shit. So I ran with it, one thing I want from the game and music as a whole is recognition. After that first verse I wrote it felt like destiny and there's no other way to go but up. And I know for a fact Rock Solid is gonna get me there! Aye ayeeee we boutta fly High, love y'all!
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2QSltJGW0da9XtoutjGMsF?si=8W8AWS9rSECBKlTVB6OE5A
Artist: Tandy
Mini Bio:
From a 16 year old kid to a 26 year old father, I’ve always been fascinated by music. From “competing” with friends and family on finding new music, to freestyles in the car, to SoundCloud/Spotify/Apple Music tracks getting THOUSANDS of plays, I’ve always loved the way music tends to release every negative thought in my head.
In 2021, I started my journey of being an artist. I never would’ve thought that in that crazy year, I’d have done the things I’ve done, and achieved the things I’ve achieved.
I performed at some of the biggest venues in MN, I released an album, entitled, “Unfortunate” and I started a clothing line. Blessed be, I met a lot of dope ass people along the way.
This next year, I have a lot in the works. Shows, music a small project in February, another in July, an album in August and another in October.
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3FjbdroDnTjSfeNqY18EUC?si=sDYDBOYlQZiJhvW7dcKmug&context=spotify%3Aal
Artist: Taurean Wright
Mini Bio:
Music is the #1 most influential thing on this planet. As an artist, all I really want is for people to believe in themselves. I view my music as a way to rise in my own personal journey while sharing it with the world, and I want my fans to be able to take the experiences I put in my music and apply them to their life. This year I really want to focus on truly connecting with people through music; not having to worry about making hits, songs that’ll get popular on tik tok, etc.... just music that is really going to resonate with the people who need it.”
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TkeMFrJeBY21bPrTcDMB0?si=oOCqwzPUR--PPx3BNZ6Myg
Artist: XAVIER
