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Author, screenwriter and staff writer Java Bomani interviews Gee Rock
of the Forceone Networkz for NO WAY NET MAGAZINE's Hip Hop/martial
arts connection issue, June 2009. Gee Rock has been active in the hip
hop genre for almost 30 years and has accomplished a lot as a recording
artist and producer. He's also directed, produced and written 2 films, The
Place to Be and A Man Called Steel. Gee Rock took a few moments out of
his busy schedule to sit down with us.
No Way Net Magazine: Java Bomani for No Way Net Magazine we’re talking
here today with Mr. Gee Rock of the Funk Coalition, tha CND Coalition....
Gee Rock: Yes sir, CND, Force One, Forceone Networkz.
No Way Net Magazine: The Funky Dope Producer. So many titles, it’s
ridiculous, so many talents, so many skills. So, how are you today?
Gee Rock: I'm good man, you know, just on my grind constantly, trying to re-
invent myself, as I always try to do- try to stay relevant and just make things
the way they are supposed to be, well... the way I perceive them, and the way
they… correctly, politically correctly should be. That's my thing, and I just strive
to contribute, make my contribution and that’s about it.
No Way Net Magazine: To the music?
Gee Rock: Yes, as far as music.
No Way Net Magazine: Where are you from?
Gee Rock: Well, originally I started in P-Town, what (they) call P-Town, which is
Plainfield, New Jersey. Went to Cali back in the 70's, I was able to embrace the
Pop Lockin era before it really blew up then - or should I say before it
transitioned into Hip Hop. From the east coast which I'm originally from - The
Bricks, Newark, New Jeerz. Basically in 79 I was already in to my Hip Hop roots,
so that's basically where I... I've touched many bases, I was lucky to be on the
east and the west in the beginning.
No Way Net Magazine: You said 79... I know recently you made a lot of noise
as an emcee and artist, but many people I know, know you as a producer also.
How would you describe the Gee Rock sound?
Gee Rock: The Gee Rock sound is definitely funk oriented, funk oriented, true
to the essence hip hop oriented and when I say (that) meaning- from the
beginning. Like I said, that's where my roots span from, day one, 79 and all
that. I understand the different eras and trends and things but I just try to
keep it as real as I can keep it, and keep it the way the fathers put it out there
to be. That's basically where I am today.
No Way Net Magazine: Wow... it's 2009. So, how long have you been in the
game in one form or another?
Gee Rock: Well, 2009 actually gives me a 30 year cap. I'm proud and honored
to be in the Hip Hop field for 30 years (and still active). I've seen em all. I've
seen em come and go. I've seen bits of all the eras and all the emcees and all
the different things that happened in Hip Hop. It's just amazing and it’s a
blessing for me to still be here and to say that, alright it’s time to straighten
things out. I mean, I been here since 79 man, like I said its 2009 so that’s like
30 years. I just… My love for it hasn’t changed even though things are
happening. My love has kept my music true and real.
No Way Net Magazine: Is there a single moment or event that you witnessed
or experienced that had such an effect on you to where you knew hip hop was
forever going to be apart of your life?
Gee Rock: Yeah. The beginning, the very beginning, from day one. Like I said, I
lived in Los Angeles. Even long before that - I grew up on Funkadelic, Parliament
and all that stuff. My brothers and them used to play a lot of that and I realized
I had a love for music back then. I loved funky music, I always loved it. When I
went out (to LA) I used to pop lock, (and emulate) Re-Run and all that stuff, (I
popped) off of old Cameo funk joints. When I got to hip hop my whole (Style) is
funk.
No Way Net Magazine: So those type of people the Funkadelic’s and all those
(type)… those are like your influences. What about hip hop influences?
Gee Rock: Once again I got to go back to the day one. Basically my influences
are the people who had lyrical skill, and the creativity of it was really a big thing
for me. I thought that Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were very
creative and they really transcended their era. All the people that created things.
I’m the type of guy that feels like I’m a creator; I’m a person that can be
innovative at times. I got that (from them) I look up to all them, Flash, DST,
Grand Wizard Theodore, Cool Herc, Bambaataa all the jokers who innovated
something. I feel I’m on that same page.
No Way Net Magazine: Some would say that’s old school hip hop. I say its
Truschool hip hop. You’ve been credited with leading a movement recently to
bring back to that Truschool hip Hop. What’s your strategy to bring that about?
Gee Rock: Contribution. We can sit here and talk about how bad the game is…
What it doesn’t have and who’s good and who’s bad. That’s passing judgment
and I don’t really like to do that. If I feel there’s something missing or something
I’d like to see there, I just implement it. I just put that piece in there, as far in,
as I could and with the help of the internet, I’m able to go worldwide with it. I’m
on some ol buckwildin right now; I’m going crazy with it.
No Way Net Magazine: We are a Martial Arts magazine and I know it’s strange
for some people to take in, that a martial arts magazine is interviewing a hip hop
personality, but we’re also about the entertainment side of martial arts. I know
you’re a big fan of the arts and martial arts film.
Gee Rock: Yes sir.
No Way Net Magazine: Can you give me a few of your favorite films and actors?
Gee Rock: Well… there’s many.
No Way Net Magazine: Yeah, just a few.
Gee Rock: I’m going to break it down to one name. Shaw Brothers. Two words,
Shaw Brothers. They had a whole host of people. You name them; from Jimmy
Wang Yu, to Carter Wong, to David Chang, all those jokers. My favorite was Ti
Leung. Ti Leung was my favorite actor. I though he was very charismatic, very
emotional, he was one of the best actors, I think, from the martial arts era.
There were a lot of martial arts cat that- I liked their styles and how they moved,
but a lot them weren’t good actors, like Ti Leung. He’s a very good actor. My
roots go back… the same thing applies (to music), the innovation, the creation,
the aggressiveness, the strength, the action, it’s all implemented from that
same philosophy. Martial arts, Hip hop its all skill. I like skill, I don’t like
something that’s being done for the wrong reasons, like is going on today. I
just don’t like it. I feel everything should be given its proper honor and its
proper appreciation.
No Way Net Magazine: In a way, what you’re talking about, when you say
Shaw Brothers… that’s like Truschool Martial Arts Film.
Gee Rock: Exactly. That’s like the Truschool of the martial arts era. (If you want
to) Specify Cinema... That’s what I’m talking about. Like if you hear… Don’t get
me wrong. Jet Li and a lot of these cats… I like them, I like Jet Li a lot, but when
you go back- even he would tell you. When you go back to where it began,
when the Shaw Brothers came in, they changed the whole dynamic. That was
like Bambaataa, Run Run Shaw was like the Bambaataa of martial arts film, and
that was the standard for like a 30 year period. It’s just the same thing. You can
apply the same principles from different things into what you do to perfect your
craft. That’s what I do, I strive to perfect it based on principles.
No Way Net Magazine: Well the Shaw Brothers definitely perfected it. What do
you think about the RZA directing a remake of The Last Dragon?
Gee Rock: It’s funny that you say the RZA because I followed the Wu and I
thought that was a really crafty thing. Actually I had the idea, I had that idea in
my head, but I guess I didn’t have a V-8 and knock it out of my head quick
enough. He came up with the Wu Tang Clan, which I ain’t mad at him at all,
cause I like that. My love for Martial Arts was going to take me there. I was
about to make that change but he did it and I ain’t mad at him, I like how he did
it. I like the Method Man and all those cats. As far as him re-doing the Last
Dragon joint, I think he has the mentality to do it.
No Way Net Magazine: He’s trained under Tarantino for like 2 years, at least 2
years.
Gee Rock: I think his love for it is there. He knows… if he does it, he knows how
it should be done. If he has creative control then I think it’ll be a good thing. I
think it’ll come out alright.
No Way Net Magazine: So what’s next for you? What’s the next mountain for
you to climb?
Gee Rock: I’m climbing that mountain now. I’m just making a contribution right
now to hip hop and before I get out of it I want to, as much as I can, contribute
to it becoming balanced again. I think young people today are missing the whole
point because they don’t have a lot of inspiration and people to look up to, that
implemented the true essence of hip hop. We have a couple of spare artist out
there that are really pushing it and trying to do it, but nobody can achieve it by
themselves, you need an Army. You know the (saying) “We need an Army to win
this war.” Yeah, that’s true. We need more people to start implementing and
contributing, that’s why I came up with the 100 Degreez Deep Movement. I take
people’s songs, anything they have that's hip hop or whatever, don’t cost them
nothing. I tell them to contribute it, send it to me and I put it out there as a
compilation. It can be 100 volumes there’s no limit to that. When I get enough
songs, I put the volumes out.
No Way Net Magazine: I want people to be clear. 100 Degreez Deep. Search
that! Do a search to see what my man is talking about. Well thanks for sitting
down with us; it was good talking to you. Keep up the good work.
Gee Rock: Yes sir.
Visit Gee Rock at
www.myspace.com/forceonenetworkz
http://forceonenetworkz.ning.com/
www.flickr.com/photos/30673615@N08/
Force_One_Networkz_Filmworkz_Recordingz 1AWON Network Page
Force One Videos
EMail Gee Rock
of the Forceone Networkz for NO WAY NET MAGAZINE's Hip Hop/martial
arts connection issue, June 2009. Gee Rock has been active in the hip
hop genre for almost 30 years and has accomplished a lot as a recording
artist and producer. He's also directed, produced and written 2 films, The
Place to Be and A Man Called Steel. Gee Rock took a few moments out of
his busy schedule to sit down with us.
No Way Net Magazine: Java Bomani for No Way Net Magazine we’re talking
here today with Mr. Gee Rock of the Funk Coalition, tha CND Coalition....
Gee Rock: Yes sir, CND, Force One, Forceone Networkz.
No Way Net Magazine: The Funky Dope Producer. So many titles, it’s
ridiculous, so many talents, so many skills. So, how are you today?
Gee Rock: I'm good man, you know, just on my grind constantly, trying to re-
invent myself, as I always try to do- try to stay relevant and just make things
the way they are supposed to be, well... the way I perceive them, and the way
they… correctly, politically correctly should be. That's my thing, and I just strive
to contribute, make my contribution and that’s about it.
No Way Net Magazine: To the music?
Gee Rock: Yes, as far as music.
No Way Net Magazine: Where are you from?
Gee Rock: Well, originally I started in P-Town, what (they) call P-Town, which is
Plainfield, New Jersey. Went to Cali back in the 70's, I was able to embrace the
Pop Lockin era before it really blew up then - or should I say before it
transitioned into Hip Hop. From the east coast which I'm originally from - The
Bricks, Newark, New Jeerz. Basically in 79 I was already in to my Hip Hop roots,
so that's basically where I... I've touched many bases, I was lucky to be on the
east and the west in the beginning.
No Way Net Magazine: You said 79... I know recently you made a lot of noise
as an emcee and artist, but many people I know, know you as a producer also.
How would you describe the Gee Rock sound?
Gee Rock: The Gee Rock sound is definitely funk oriented, funk oriented, true
to the essence hip hop oriented and when I say (that) meaning- from the
beginning. Like I said, that's where my roots span from, day one, 79 and all
that. I understand the different eras and trends and things but I just try to
keep it as real as I can keep it, and keep it the way the fathers put it out there
to be. That's basically where I am today.
No Way Net Magazine: Wow... it's 2009. So, how long have you been in the
game in one form or another?
Gee Rock: Well, 2009 actually gives me a 30 year cap. I'm proud and honored
to be in the Hip Hop field for 30 years (and still active). I've seen em all. I've
seen em come and go. I've seen bits of all the eras and all the emcees and all
the different things that happened in Hip Hop. It's just amazing and it’s a
blessing for me to still be here and to say that, alright it’s time to straighten
things out. I mean, I been here since 79 man, like I said its 2009 so that’s like
30 years. I just… My love for it hasn’t changed even though things are
happening. My love has kept my music true and real.
No Way Net Magazine: Is there a single moment or event that you witnessed
or experienced that had such an effect on you to where you knew hip hop was
forever going to be apart of your life?
Gee Rock: Yeah. The beginning, the very beginning, from day one. Like I said, I
lived in Los Angeles. Even long before that - I grew up on Funkadelic, Parliament
and all that stuff. My brothers and them used to play a lot of that and I realized
I had a love for music back then. I loved funky music, I always loved it. When I
went out (to LA) I used to pop lock, (and emulate) Re-Run and all that stuff, (I
popped) off of old Cameo funk joints. When I got to hip hop my whole (Style) is
funk.
No Way Net Magazine: So those type of people the Funkadelic’s and all those
(type)… those are like your influences. What about hip hop influences?
Gee Rock: Once again I got to go back to the day one. Basically my influences
are the people who had lyrical skill, and the creativity of it was really a big thing
for me. I thought that Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were very
creative and they really transcended their era. All the people that created things.
I’m the type of guy that feels like I’m a creator; I’m a person that can be
innovative at times. I got that (from them) I look up to all them, Flash, DST,
Grand Wizard Theodore, Cool Herc, Bambaataa all the jokers who innovated
something. I feel I’m on that same page.
No Way Net Magazine: Some would say that’s old school hip hop. I say its
Truschool hip hop. You’ve been credited with leading a movement recently to
bring back to that Truschool hip Hop. What’s your strategy to bring that about?
Gee Rock: Contribution. We can sit here and talk about how bad the game is…
What it doesn’t have and who’s good and who’s bad. That’s passing judgment
and I don’t really like to do that. If I feel there’s something missing or something
I’d like to see there, I just implement it. I just put that piece in there, as far in,
as I could and with the help of the internet, I’m able to go worldwide with it. I’m
on some ol buckwildin right now; I’m going crazy with it.
No Way Net Magazine: We are a Martial Arts magazine and I know it’s strange
for some people to take in, that a martial arts magazine is interviewing a hip hop
personality, but we’re also about the entertainment side of martial arts. I know
you’re a big fan of the arts and martial arts film.
Gee Rock: Yes sir.
No Way Net Magazine: Can you give me a few of your favorite films and actors?
Gee Rock: Well… there’s many.
No Way Net Magazine: Yeah, just a few.
Gee Rock: I’m going to break it down to one name. Shaw Brothers. Two words,
Shaw Brothers. They had a whole host of people. You name them; from Jimmy
Wang Yu, to Carter Wong, to David Chang, all those jokers. My favorite was Ti
Leung. Ti Leung was my favorite actor. I though he was very charismatic, very
emotional, he was one of the best actors, I think, from the martial arts era.
There were a lot of martial arts cat that- I liked their styles and how they moved,
but a lot them weren’t good actors, like Ti Leung. He’s a very good actor. My
roots go back… the same thing applies (to music), the innovation, the creation,
the aggressiveness, the strength, the action, it’s all implemented from that
same philosophy. Martial arts, Hip hop its all skill. I like skill, I don’t like
something that’s being done for the wrong reasons, like is going on today. I
just don’t like it. I feel everything should be given its proper honor and its
proper appreciation.
No Way Net Magazine: In a way, what you’re talking about, when you say
Shaw Brothers… that’s like Truschool Martial Arts Film.
Gee Rock: Exactly. That’s like the Truschool of the martial arts era. (If you want
to) Specify Cinema... That’s what I’m talking about. Like if you hear… Don’t get
me wrong. Jet Li and a lot of these cats… I like them, I like Jet Li a lot, but when
you go back- even he would tell you. When you go back to where it began,
when the Shaw Brothers came in, they changed the whole dynamic. That was
like Bambaataa, Run Run Shaw was like the Bambaataa of martial arts film, and
that was the standard for like a 30 year period. It’s just the same thing. You can
apply the same principles from different things into what you do to perfect your
craft. That’s what I do, I strive to perfect it based on principles.
No Way Net Magazine: Well the Shaw Brothers definitely perfected it. What do
you think about the RZA directing a remake of The Last Dragon?
Gee Rock: It’s funny that you say the RZA because I followed the Wu and I
thought that was a really crafty thing. Actually I had the idea, I had that idea in
my head, but I guess I didn’t have a V-8 and knock it out of my head quick
enough. He came up with the Wu Tang Clan, which I ain’t mad at him at all,
cause I like that. My love for Martial Arts was going to take me there. I was
about to make that change but he did it and I ain’t mad at him, I like how he did
it. I like the Method Man and all those cats. As far as him re-doing the Last
Dragon joint, I think he has the mentality to do it.
No Way Net Magazine: He’s trained under Tarantino for like 2 years, at least 2
years.
Gee Rock: I think his love for it is there. He knows… if he does it, he knows how
it should be done. If he has creative control then I think it’ll be a good thing. I
think it’ll come out alright.
No Way Net Magazine: So what’s next for you? What’s the next mountain for
you to climb?
Gee Rock: I’m climbing that mountain now. I’m just making a contribution right
now to hip hop and before I get out of it I want to, as much as I can, contribute
to it becoming balanced again. I think young people today are missing the whole
point because they don’t have a lot of inspiration and people to look up to, that
implemented the true essence of hip hop. We have a couple of spare artist out
there that are really pushing it and trying to do it, but nobody can achieve it by
themselves, you need an Army. You know the (saying) “We need an Army to win
this war.” Yeah, that’s true. We need more people to start implementing and
contributing, that’s why I came up with the 100 Degreez Deep Movement. I take
people’s songs, anything they have that's hip hop or whatever, don’t cost them
nothing. I tell them to contribute it, send it to me and I put it out there as a
compilation. It can be 100 volumes there’s no limit to that. When I get enough
songs, I put the volumes out.
No Way Net Magazine: I want people to be clear. 100 Degreez Deep. Search
that! Do a search to see what my man is talking about. Well thanks for sitting
down with us; it was good talking to you. Keep up the good work.
Gee Rock: Yes sir.
Visit Gee Rock at
www.myspace.com/forceonenetworkz
http://forceonenetworkz.ning.com/
www.flickr.com/photos/30673615@N08/
Force_One_Networkz_Filmworkz_Recordingz 1AWON Network Page
Force One Videos
EMail Gee Rock
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