East Oakland’s Seminary is a known rough hood that’s produced a few reputable names in the streets and in music. To many Seminary natives, High Rolla is the big homie. In recent years East Oakland music has been put on the map because of the works from East Oaklands own Philthy Rich. As High Rolla tells it, Philthy is his bruh and FOD Ent. is the home team.
High Rolla has spent years building his name in the streets, but today he looks to make a name for himself in music and film. His ultimate goal is to take the attention he’s attracted and highlight the city that’s made it all possible for him. Rolla believes in the talent and potential of the Bay Area, he just wants to see everyone win. I got a chance to speak with High Rolla about his goals, his new work, and his latest single “Put My All in This Game”. Read on below to get acquainted. (Promoted)
Thizzler: How long have you been making music and what brought you here?
High Rolla: I’m really new to the music industry, but I’ve been in the streets with it all my life. I’m just trying to bring something new to the table. We have a lot of eyes on The Bay right now and I feel like we need to take advantage while we’re getting a good look
T: What can you tell me about the new record “Put My All in This Game”?
HR: It came about by me being in the studio vibin’, with a few homies: Hyph, and D.O.L.L.A. Bill. It came to me because it’s how I really feel about everything I do. “I Put My All in This Game” with this street shit, this rap shit or whatever. That’s my character and who I am as a person.
T: Now that you’re in the rap game, is the focus going to be to put all your time into rap or are you still messing with the street shit?
HR: I come from the streets, this is what I’ve been doing all my life. So me transitioning to the rap game is something different and fun for me. But like my song say’s, I’ll put my all into it. It’s exciting you know.
T: Which artists inspire you?
HR: I’ve been listening to Bay Area rap all my life, so I naturally was inspired by Bay Area artists, of course 2 Pac is a legend. I would love to get a chance to do something with G-Eazy, and other Bay artists.
T: You mentioned wanting to work with G-Eazy. What other artists do you want to collaborate with?
HR: Of course I’m going to do something with Philthy. That’s the homie, so that’s mandatory and goes without saying. But right now, I’m just focused on bettering my craft. But whoever wants to work, I’m with it.
T: What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
HR: I mean I do music, but I’m also into movies and short films. Once I get the movies going it will create a platform for Bay Area artists, and highlight our music and culture.
T: Like Thizzler! Tell me more about your film work.
HR: I got some stuff coming out real soon. I’ve been working. Flying back and forth to L.A and out here in the Bay Area. Really just trying to bring everything home. That’s what I’m passionate about. I want to bring these Bay Area stories to life. I feel like we have all the history, but we don’t have the movies behind them.
T: What are you working on now and what can fans expect?
HR: “Put My All in This Game” is really a soundtrack to a movie that I’m working on. I dropped the soundtrack already, and I’m going to bring the movie aspect to let people see what direction I’m going. You can expect great quality and movies shot in the Bay Area. I feel like the world needs to know. There’s culture here. There’s no one else out there that’s like us. I need to bring that to life, so people can see who we are.
T: Who are other artists who have done a good job putting on for the bay?
HR: I think everybody’s working hard and going in the right direction. I’ve seen Philthy working hard. He’s got a great body of work. J. Stalin and the Livewire crew. I mean everybody’s just pushing right now.
T: Who is High Rolla?
HR: I wouldn’t look at it like it’s just me as a person. I feel like there’s a lot of homies out here are high rollas. Like that person who used to be on the block, but now is that person running the block. Like that person who used to play Monopoly, but now they own real estate. That’s what I consider a high rolla.
It’s about being able to take your game to the next level, no matter what you’re doing. Even if you got a job. Step up to be that manager instead of that worker. I hope the music inspires people everywhere, no matter what they’re doing.
Check out everything from High Rolla right here on Thizzler. You can follow High Rolla on Instagram at @highrolla510. Get “Put My All In This Game” everywhere here.
