With a smile that lights up the room and a vivacious personality to match, it should come as no surprise that UNC senior Joshua Rowsey is making a big name for himself on the music scene. Founder of the collaborative hip-hop group No9to5, Rowsey — also known on stage as “(J) Rowdy” — has succeeded in combining his passion for creating music with a unique perspective on ambition. And, along with his unparalleled musical talent, Rowsey gives some pretty great advice on how to make the most of your dreams.
HC: Tell me a little bit about your performance background and how you first got involved with music.
JR: I actually used to be afraid of going on stage, but I played violin in one of the top high school orchestras at Cary Academy [in Cary, N.C.]. I was that “loser kid” in high school who wrote love poems to girls and posted them on Facebook. [laughs] I’m a nerd. When I came to UNC, I got more involved with poetry in EROT (Ebony Readers/Onyx Theatre), which was an amazing experience. I got to be part of that for three years.
The whole music thing actually happened all by accident. I met Cayso (Carson Koenig) randomly, and he’d been rapping for a few years. He didn’t take me seriously at first. The first rap I wrote for him sucked, honestly. No one else has ever heard that one. [laughs] Then we did “Two Milli,” [our first song] together, and it all started from there.
HC: So what exactly is No9to5?
JR: No9to5 is a collective hub of creative people that have specific skills, and we try to bring those skills together in a unique way. The group’s artists include Cayso, JSWISS, Topiq the Smooth Prophet, P-Rob and Optimus Rhymes. I started it, but there are no egos in that group. We all found each other, and we realized we were all dedicated to the same thing. We just meshed. We’re like brothers now. We get on each other to be the absolute best. I love my group, and I love how much progress we’ve made together. Being recognized for something you created is a different sort of thing. We’re excited for the future.
HC: How did you come up with the name No9to5?
JR: The summer after sophomore year, I had taken a business internship. What I took away from the experience more than the business aspect was the fact that people got so stuck in their jobs — and they didn’t even mean to. I never understood that. People think I’m dissing day jobs, but really it’s about finding what you’re passionate about and just going for it. I have a passion for this, and I’m going to go get it. Every day that you’re making progress toward your goal, you shouldn’t feel like you’re working. I’d rather die than live a “9 to 5.”
HC: How would you describe your music style
JR: They call me “Rowdy” for a reason. I’m very energetic — even when it’s not my song, I
perform it very well. I’m very crowd-oriented — I feed off the crowd. I have high energy from start to finish. I’m trying to get my cardio up, because I get out of breath really easily. [laughs]
Big L and Eminem are two of my major musical influences. People say I sound a lot like them. Asher Roth is another artist I opened for [last year] and is someone I’d really like to work with.
HC: So now that you’re getting more large-scale recognition for your talents, how do you balance your schoolwork and recording? You’re a business major with a minor in Chinese — that sounds tough!
JR: Honestly, I’ve been letting my grades slip a little. And I definitely don’t support that habit — but I’m getting out of here. [laughs] I try to get my schoolwork done on Sundays, because during the week we gotta write, shoot music videos, book shows. In the traditional sense of education, it’s hard to find a reason for me to partake in what I’m doing. But I fully believe in finishing school, because without school, I don’t think I’d be in the position I am right now.
HC: So I take it there aren’t any plans for graduate school?
JR: Actually, people don’t really know the master plan, but I plan on taking the LSAT eventually, or maybe getting my MBA. I want to be as self-sufficient as possible. A lot of artists tend to focus only on the art, and all people see is the partying and the fame that comes with that. But you have to understand that every artist, any artist, is an entrepreneur. Your name and your product is your brand. More than having a quality product, I want to be able to do anything I set my mind to.
HC: What is the number one thing you’d say drives you to succeed?
JR: I think a lot of people confuse hip hop with this culture of flashiness and shallowness. [But] this is truly what I want. I want this because I’ve never really felt like I belonged anywhere except in front of people on stage. My heart belongs on stage — I just get up there and I be myself. And it just works out; I seem to say the right things. I think a lot of people doubt me, because there’s a stigma against college kids rapping. But I’m not a college rapper — I’m a rapper that’s in college.
HC: What has been your greatest musical accomplishment?
JR: Personally, my biggest accomplishment would be my 1UP EP with Cayso, because that really solidified everything. Aside from that, another big accomplishment was when JSWISS asked me to be on [his track] “Ride.” He’s like my big brother, and he’s been doing this for five years. When he pulled me to the side and told me to get on the track, that told me that this is what I’m meant to do — that I’m going in the right direction.
HC: Where do you see yourself in five years?
JR: I see this music thing being “this is it” — I see us doing what we’re doing now, just on a higher scale and having a lot more freedom in what we do. Our on-stage shows have developed so much. We’ve gotten on some of the top hip-hop blogs in the country already, and I think honestly that this will be what we do for a long time to come. Performing will be a large-scale thing for me. Hopefully I can get into acting too — and maybe get that law degree.
HC: What advice would you give to people when it comes to realizing their biggest dreams?
JR: I’ve been getting recognized for a while now for this thing that I have a passion for. But honestly, I don’t think it’s that special — I feel like everyone has the ability to do what they want in life. We have so many bright people at this school, but so many of them are scared to do what they want because it’s not the “safe” thing to do. People are scared of rejection, and they don’t take enough risks. We invest in security so much that it’s hurting us. I think I’d be more afraid of not getting where I want to be by the end of my lifetime. People need to stop caring so much about the approval of someone else and just go for it. That’s how No9to5 got started. We just kept going. We stopped talking and started doing. And if you don’t get it at first, you’re blessed to see another day.
HC: If the ladies haven’t figured this one out yet, you’re definitely a charmer. So, here’s the million-dollar question: what do you look for in a girl?
JR: I’ve been thinking about this question for a while. [laughs] The sexiest thing ever in a woman is intelligence. Any girl can look good — there’s leggings, and there’s makeup. But it’s like, can I have a real conversation with you, and do you have something going for you in life? You have to have goals. I love that.
I also have what I call the “brunch test.” There’s going to be a point in time where stuff isn’t always going to work out. But what matters in the long run is if I’m going to have you as a friend to talk to over breakfast. If you are an intelligent woman who likes to have breakfast, that’s great. I take breakfast very seriously. If I take you to brunch, I like you — you’re not just a hookup. Everyone should use the brunch test.
Oh, and more girls need to go after nerds. I’m an advocate for nerds. We will take care of you.
Make sure to check out the video for “Rap Star,” the latest single from 1UP (the J. Rowdy/Cayso duo)! http://no9to5music.com/2012/11/09/1up-rap-star/