ROCK E "THE ORIGINAL SPANISH FLY"

Please tell me about yourself....

Music is my Passion... PRODUCTION and Scoring is my playground. I am deeply inspired with determination to be successful by my hard work. I will not rest until I am accomplished. When I sing a melody and see or hear the face of a friend light up, that inspires me. I was born into the raw thump of the Urban City heart BEAT. I Spent alot of my younger years hangin in LA to New York and other parts of the country performing and doing what I love, Singing and playing my music to crowds of adoring fans. They energize me.

I was blessed and very fortunate to be Born of Latino descent. I am Spanish-Indian and Mexican. I was blessed with a Father and family who brought music into my life as a child. My craft as a composer, writer, performer and just a multi-gifted artist is recognized as a one of a kind signature sound. I am NO stranger to freestyle. My instruments range from drums and percussion to bass and Keyboard. But my skills are sometimes best heard when I am playing the Piano.

My early musical influences were actually R&B, funk and JAZZ of course by my Father. And my Mothers Side balanced my musical roots. Spanish music- Salsa,Cumbia and the list goes on. Classical and ROCK came when I was in Junior High, there I really began to study the art of music, which eventually Led Me to Freestyle in High School. I fell in love with the pleasure and the pain of these Love Stories. The raw lyrical passion of it all.

I understood the concept of putting a commercial spin to freestyle from the gate. But when I first heard Peter Fontaine do "Just like the wind"...It was a wrap. That song shot me like an arrow through my heart. I began to realize my emotional connection to this musical element of expression. I sang that song daily, on it's every word, and perfected it's tone and vibe. I fell deep into my element and knew then what I was born to do. The Beats, the strings, the bass rhythm, the Dramatic latin High Tech editing of freestyle captured me like an Eagle to his prey. Some earliest influences consisted of; Tony Moran-"The Latin Rascals" , Souave, ENVY, Tommy Boy artist's (TKA)and more, Shannon, Giggles (The Original), George LaMond' ,Mic- Mac' Rec, Lisa-Lisa, Cover Girls.PRODUCERS:the Infamous..Carlos Berrios, Jelly Bean Benitas and the list goes on endlessly.

It was one day struggling on the streets of my lost but high energy city, that I caught my first break and broke into the freestyle crossover stream with "PRECIOUS" I signed my first recording contract to independent label "Upstairs Rec." As the Lead singer of Spanish Fly'My Group career would be short lived due to conflict of interests. More so by the labels mis-management back then. However, Music still only grew deeper, maturer and mostly infinite through perfection with in me. And now, honestly, I know now God gave me MUSIC as a precious gift to me personally.

Anyway.. my story is not just that my past leaves mark a Legendary Mark, but I came along way.. and I'm alive and well, humbled now though and looking forward in confidence to a greater future. I could write you a book about me and my life in music, but for now I will just say Thank the Lord for the gift to bless you with it. If you really want the details.. don't hesitate to get at me. Your Friend till..... the Beginning(cause I don't believe in endings)

From what I see and hear you have been in the music industry for a long time now....
What is it that keeps you motivated and on top of the game?

KNOWING THAT I HAVE SACRIFICED MY TIME WITH MY CHILDREN AND FAMILY TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN ENTERTAINMENT AND PRODUCTION KEEPS ME MOTIVATED TO STRIVE UNTIL I AM SATISFIED! I AM NEVER SATISFIED, IS A MOTIVATION FOR ME. EVERY PROJECT MUST BE PERFECT EVEN THOUGH THEIR IS NO PERFECT PROJECT!

I know that "PRECIOUS" was a hit...is that song based on someone in your life?

What precious means to me....THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. My Daughter Keily Serenity Ramos who was heaven sent at a time in my life when i needed her most. I originally wrote this song for my ex-wife in 1990 but after my daughter was born she gave NEW meaning to "precious" She is "Daddies LIL Girl

Although I know you love to sing, are you currently working on any projects that you would like to share with us?

I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON TWO RADIO R&B/ HIP-HOP PROJECTS RIGHT NOW THAT HIT HOME ON EVERY LEVEL. "MI JENTE" IS THE TITLE OF 1, THE OTHER..WELL THAT'S TOP SECRET!LOL

Tell me how do you feel about the freestyle generation...What has changed?

THEIR HAS BEEN MANY THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED ABOUT FREESTYLE. SOMETHINGS HAVEN'T. BUT THE MAIN THING THAT I DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE IS THAT, THEIR SHOULD BE NO EXCUSE FOR US AS A FREESTYLE NATION TODAY TO COME UP WITH HIT MUSIC. FREESTYLE IS A GENRE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AHEAD OF IT'S TIME.BEING THAT OUR TECHNOLOGY IS SURPASSED US 10 TIMES OVER.I MEAN THE SOUNDS WE HAVE TODAY ARE GREATLY MASTERED IN THE DIGITAL SENSE AND ARE BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENT. IT'S GETTING THIS TECHNOLOGY IN THE RIGHT HANDS! I MEAN W A LAP TOP, SOME DECENT SOFTWARE AND SKILLS, HITS SHOULD BE MADE LIKE A POPCORN MACHINE DOES POPCORN!! LOL BUT STILL THE HEART IS WHERE HITS ARE MADE ANYWAY.

I realized that MUSIC has been in your blood through generations...you follow many musicians....Is and was your father an inspiration in your music career?

THEIR ARE MANY MUSICIANS IN MY LIFE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH TO UNDERSTUDY, BUT I THINK MY GREATEST INFLUENCE WAS MY FATHER. ERNIE PETER RAMOS. HE IS SKILLED BEYOND ANYONE'S WIDEST IMAGINATIONS. I CALL HIM A MAGICIAN MUSICIAN. THE MAN CAN PLAY ALMOST EVERY INSTRUMENT KNOW TO MUSIC. HE'S AN EXCELLENT AND SKILLED BASS PLAYER A HOT GUITARIST AND A SICK ASS PERCUSSIONIST. NOT TO MENTION HIS MICHEAL JACKSON NEAR LIKE VOCALS! HE HAS BEEN PIVOTAL IN SIGNITURIZING MY STYLE.

You also mentioned getting into the production business..How is that coming along?

I AM NOW A MATURE SKILLED AND MASTERFUL PRODUCER IN THE AREAS OF POP-HIP-HOP, R&B DANCE,CLUB,HOUSE AND FREESTYLE. I HAVE A COUPLE OF ARTIST AND AM LOOKING FOR FEMALE VOCALISTS CURRENTLY. I HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH BUT ONE IN PARTICULAR PRODUCER, CARLOS BERRIOS IS A PRODUCER I SEE MYSELF WORKING WITH SOON AND GETTING TOGETHER MASTERFUL PROJECTS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD!

Anyone in particular in the production industry that you are working with?

 I HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH BUT ONE IN PARTICULAR PRODUCER, CARLOS BERRIOS IS A PRODUCER I SEE MYSELF WORKING WITH SOON AND GETTING TOGETHER MASTERFUL PROJECTS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD!

What lessons have you learned from in the music business?

THE LESSONS; NEVER GIVE MORE THAN YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK FOR. BUSINESS AND RELATIONSHIPS, THEY ARE THE SAME. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO NEED A HELPING HAND. DO MUSIC BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT AND ARE SKILLED. WHEN IT  STARTS TO FEEL LIKE A JOB, CHANCES ARE THAT'S WHEN YOU WILL BECOME CLOUDED AND LOSE THAT INTIMATE SENSE OF EXPRESSION. KIND OF LIKE A LOVE RELATIONSHIP. YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT AND WHEN IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE PUTTING MORE INTO IT THAN YOU ARE GETTING YOU WANT TO GET OUT. ART IS LIKE THIS. IT FEELS AND SENSES YOUR ATTITUDE. IT VIBES OFF YOUR AND DEEP ADMONITION OF PASSION.

 

What advice would you give to someone coming up in the music/production industry?

THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO END WITH IS THAT, LATIN AMERICANS NEED TO RISE UP. WE ARE CONSIDERED THE MINORITY YET WE ARE VASTLY OUT NUMBERING THE CULTURE GENERATION BY FAR. SO WHY IS IT THAT WE ARE STILL THE LAST TO WIN THE RACE?   MY TAKE IS BECAUSE, WE AS LATIN AMERICANS DON'T LEARN THE LESSON THAT CHANGES THING. THE GENERATIONAL CURSE I LIKE TO CALL IT. WE COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF HELPING ONE ANOTHER. WE HAVE CHOSEN TO BELIEVE A LIE. THAT "MY MONEY WILL GET ME AHEAD OF YOU" SO THAT MENTALITY ENDS UP SLOWING US ALL DOWN. WHEN A MAN LIKE ME MAY NOT HAVE THE GOLD  IN THE BANK BUT THE GOLD IN SKILLS. ALL I NEED IS A GOLD INVESTOR TO SEE THE POTENTIAL INVESTED RETURN AND WE BOTH WIN. HE GOT THE MONEY, I GOT THE PRODUCT. WE AS LATIN AMERICANS NEED TO UP OUR ECONOMICAL GAME THIS WAY AND THEN WE WILL FINALLY GET AHEAD OF EVERYONE.....