Bio
Basically I’m the creative force behind the movement The Rozes Crew.
It started back home in the Caribbean on the island of DA A couple of
childhood friends, Mr. Z and Junior Fox doing little shows with a couple of
speakers and a mike. Gradually the sound system came and soon the group
Skyhawk was formed. Mr. Z was the DJ/ producer and Junior Fox was the
artist.
The group soon changed their name to The Rozes Crew. Gradually more artists
joined the Crew including Gaga male, Skinny Banton, Old Benz, Coco Killer,
Stoned to the Bone aka SBC, Lyrical Heights, Dice 3 times Calypso King and
on and on. The members came together naturally each contributing an
original sound. Rozes became a center for local artist to develop their
talent.
Rozes Recordz was now created and starting to bloom. It gave young artist
the opportunity to develop their skills and talents. The Crew did street
performances and club shows. They opened for performer that came to their
island including Sanchez. An underground album was made called “Growing
up the Harlem way”.
Harlem is the area of the island that most of the members of Rozes Crew
came from. It got its name from the people who left DA and went to America,
they settled in Harlem, New York. When they returned to the island they
called their soccer team the Harlem Bombers. This area became know as
Harlem, it had the same feel as the New York Harlem. It was a diverse area
with Rasta man, great athletes and rude boys that carried the same swagga
and feel as true Harlem.
The Crew underwent some tough times, beefs began between artists. Many
moved out on their own, and never gave recognition to the Crew that groomed
them. Some members continued on to the nation soccer team while others
became devote Rasta and went to the bush to peruse spiritual life.
Gradually the Rozes Crew took a back seat in many of their lives.
But to the founding members, the rude boys, the movement continued they
never gave up. They started to rebuild by finding new talent. Every so
often they would get together again and do shows. All the while little
drama continued. Soon younger kids would participate, by carrying the
equipment and helping out. They were eager to get a chance on the mike
after practice or a show. These youngsters stepped up and maintained the
Crew.
Slowly The Rozes Crew became an island movement with members for all parts
of the island. This allowed them to do island wide shows. They opened for
some big names, Babycham and Sizzla when came to DA.
The group was greatly influenced by Dancehall, Hip-hop, Soca, Motown,
Calypso and Bouyon music. Bouyon is an original sound from DA which WCK
helped create, it is a blend of all these genres of music.
The Rozes Crew’s passionate lyrical style is an untraditional blend of
street rap with a dancehall feel taking hip-hop to a new level. The
Crew’s restless youth had a conscience spirit. Mr. Z’s street side
collage produced an undisputed talent They perfected their style and began
practicing it, preparing for the world, from the Caribbean to Africa to USA
it appeals to all.
The next step was to take the movement international and see what happens.
They had opportunities to go to Jamaica, Canada, New York, Miami or LA.
They had connections with Prince Ital Joe who was based it Los Angeles.
Prince Ital Joe was also from the island of DA. He was an artist, concert
promoter, and actor. He did musical collaborations with Tupac, Marky Mark,
Dog Pound and Dr. Dre. He also appeared in the movie “Marked for Death”
with Steven Sigel. Prince Ital Joe was a mentor to the Rozes Crew; he
encouraged them to develop their talent. He had plans to bring the Crew to
LA and introduce them to Dr. Dre and Tupac. But tragically Prince Ital Joe
pasted away.
The Crew chose to make the move to Canada, as some were from there or had
family there. They began to organize, not all members were able to come.
Some didn’t want to fly on planes as they were true Rasta’s, some where
playing soccer for the national team and others didn’t believe it was
possible.
Once again, leaving the younger rude boys along with the original founding
member Mr. Z to continue the movement. So came the great five plus one
female, P.R.O., I Shine I, The Maddish Rapper, Mr. Z and Crucial as well as
the female artist Special KAY. Once in Canada they reunited with Crew
members Maze and Loonie the youngest member of the Crew only 9 years old.
This was a defining moment to the Crew.
In 2003 they arrived in Canada. No one knew of the Rozes Crew or had heard
this sound before. It was a brand new start for the group. It was a
challenge and a good training ground. Canada’s multicultural people
welcomed the Crew.
The plan was to come to Canada for 3 months to work on their dream of
recording a triple album “Blood is thicker than Water”. However they
were granted a 6 months stay. Quickly realizing how much money was needed
to record a triple album the Crew began working on their Bouyon album. It
was carnival time back home. So their first attempt at a Bouyon sound came
naturally.
They released the album “We Have No Face”. It did surprisingly well in
Canada, although it was intended for back home. It has a high tempo beat
and was hot on the streets. They applied for an extension and started
working on “Warning Shots” album. They teamed up with Hipposonic studio
and Roger Swan. The Crew also collaborated with DJ Kemo from the Rascalz,
one of Canada’s pioneer hip-hop groups making “War” for his album
Kemomatic.
They traveled extensively in Western Canada to promote their albums. Doing
shows at clubs and reggae parties. They did freestyle street battles and
hustled their CD’s outside clubs and at train stations. The Crew was
featured on the Beat 94.5’s Straight Goods, and competed in “Bang it”
or “Hang it” and voted “Bang it” of course. They also received a
good review in the magazine “Concrete Powder” for the album “Warning
Shotz”.
The Crew compiled a 4 part series of mixed tapes called “Remember Teddy
Bruckshot from back in the day”. This was a character in the movie “Top
Shotta”. When the group first arrived in Canada they spent many cold
nights watching this classic Caribbean underground gangsta movie.
The Crew always sported their own clothing line “Def Fashizzle”.
Created and designed by Zico. This fresh and urban look gave them style and
confidence on stage.
The albums “The Patriot” and “Out 'n Bad” have been recorded and
the Crew is looking for a major label to distribute it. They intend on
keeping creative control and to continue making their own unique sound,
Bouyon music meaning all genres mix into one. The goal is to truly take
this music international and one day be recognized for bringing Bouyon
music to the world.
Rozes 4 Life.
In Rozes we Trust.
Zico Zion
