Local recording artist Roe visits GDLA+

Okay, ever so often an artist comes along whose voice instantly commands the room, crafting a sound that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Local singer-songwriter Ro has built a loyal following right here at home and beyond. When the sun and the moon shine, when our souls and the stars align, you taste it all. I love this song. It's like just like riding around, you know, like in a bubble bath, like, oh, nice. Please welcome our plus one today, Romika Rowe, Fanny L. Hello. Hello. Hi. Thank you for being here with us. Yes, it is very smooth. We want to get all into your life, your career. You're from Venice. I'm from Venice, California. And you named your latest EP, right? So the one before both. OK, so the first one is called Oakwood. OK, which is like a really small community in Venice. That's like super family oriented. We gather there for funerals, birthdays, I mean, everything. And then my second EP that I just released is called Lincoln Boulevard. Yes. Mm-hmm. Even your speaking voice. I know. It's soothing. Very soothing. That's a good egg. It's a low natural tone. What is it, like honey with tea? How do you get your voice like that? I don't know. How do you preserve it? Oh, and then you really start selling it. I don't know. I don't know. So, over the weekend, I saw a video went viral. This had to be just, like, one of those bucket list moments. So, Remy Ma brought you out. You guys performed a song that you do together. But it was at Mary J. Blige's residency. So, you were on Mary's stage. I know. She has to be one of your icons. Yes. I mean, that's, like, when I first started singing, it was learning her song. Oh, yeah. So, like, I'm going down. I'm going. Just can't help but sing it. It's still a pinch me moment. It was this past weekend, but I'm still, like... It's like, oh, my gosh, just to be around her. And then Remy, who is so gracious to bring me along with her. She's a queen, like the queen of rap. So I was just soaking it all in. And then I got to meet Nas and Fat Joe. Like, it was pinch me. I love that. I'm still dreaming. And they have stood the test of time. Yeah. Their music. Like, I remember bumping Nas in high school. I know I can be what I want to be. If I work hard at it, if I work hard at it. What do you think it is about that music that just stands, and these artists that just stand the test of time for decades? I just think they stay true to themselves. They don't try to be something that they're not. And honestly, when you're organic, it's always going to resonate. So I try to use that as well when I'm creating. Like not try to do what's trending. I just try to do what's real to me. Social media now? Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. A couple days off. Sometimes I'll just... That's what she does every weekend. Yeah, and I'm like, why aren't you posting? But I'm like, if I'm going to pour into my fans, I have to take a little bit for myself. So I like that. I borrow that. Yeah. I don't have fans like you, but take a little beat. Yeah. Get that. It's hard. It's kind of hard sometimes to get back in because you really enjoy just the freedom. Oh yeah. Cause you do this. Yes. So I do it every weekend and then come Monday. Sometimes I like want to drag it on. I just don't feel like getting back in and I just want to milk it. I'm like, why do I feel pressure to go back in? Right. You know what? What helps me is like, I get to do this. Right. So you know what I mean? It's not like, oh, I have to get up and do that. I get to do this. I'm doing the things that I dreamed of as a little girl. So that's kind of what helps me get back into it. But I do love that luxury time where it's just me, my journal, wine. And no one. That's what helps me get up when my alarm goes off at 3 a.m. I do kind of, there's a little bit of like, we get to do this. That's what the law instructor says when I'm like breaking myself apart on the reformer. She's like, no, don't forget that you get to do this. I'm like, okay. Your body is ready for you. And you look incredible. So it's working, right? Exactly. How old were you when you decided this is what you wanted to do? So my mom. The first video she has of me, I'm singing Kirk Franklin's Stump. I was five years old. Oh, my gosh. And then seven, she has me singing What's Love Got to Do With It by Tina Turner, which I'm not supposed to be singing that song or watching that movie. But she comes in the room and she's like, who's that? Is that you? And I'm like, yeah. And then it was just like, we took off. Oh, yeah, we have to focus. She had me here, there, everywhere. Do you have videos of you when you were that age? I do. On a VHS? Yes. Oh, I love that. It's almost like you couldn't have done this without her knowledge and support that this could be a thing. You know, my mom, she doesn't know anything about the industry. She just believed in me. She saw a gift and she was like, let's go. I'll figure it out. Yeah. I love that. Research. Okay, we're going here, here. And then one thing led to another. Does anyone in your family have singing talent? I mean, my grandmother sings like in the choir, but not professionally, no. And then I got my first record deal at 15 with Macy Gray. Oh my goodness. I got my first Grammy certificate with Usher also at 15. Stop! You're like a millennial dream. I mean, you said Macy Gray. I try to say goodbye. I love that. I feel like all these artists you keep naming, I just want to keep. You just want to keep, you're like our little Shazam. Oh my God. I love that. I'll take it. As an artist, I have this. I love this, yeah. And then you start dancing. I know. There's a little thing going. There's a rhythm. We have a rhythm. You said Usher, though. Aroxia. Usher, Usher. I asked her who was on the dock at 7 o'clock. And I said, Usher, Usher. Oh my gosh. Which is not the right answer. But she was close enough that you give it to her. And I did a shimmy. The answers get rough around here. The drop top. Who is it? She goes, Usher. So, former President Barack Obama, he puts out these periodic, these lists of media that inspired him that he likes, so favorite songs, favorite movies, favorite music. Did you know that you were gonna pop up on one of his lists? No clue. What was that like? Take us to that moment. I was leaving the gym, I got a text from one of my really good friends and it was just like flames across my screen and I was like, what is this, is it a pic? You know, we have fun on the ground. But when I opened it, I was like, whoa, what is this? I didn't even know it was a thing before that. So when I saw that, I was just blown away. Like, how did he hear this? Was Michelle playing it while getting ready? Like, I don't know. But it was like just another one of those pinch me moments. Or his daughters. Or the daughters, or the girls. Who put him on to, you want to know, right? How did this train go all the way there, you know? Do you ride down Obama Boulevard blasting the song, I'm just on? You know what? I haven't done that yet. It's a good content, content. I think that you should. Good idea. Yeah. There's a Obama, a Michelle Obama building in Venice. So maybe I'll do it in front of there. Oh, yeah. It's perfect. Yeah. What would your advice be to anybody out there who might not? Because you mentioned, like, your family had some talent, but they didn't have, like, the connections, right? So what would your advice be to somebody who might not have the connections and they feel intimidated breaking into this kind of space? Well, it's a natural progression. So as you get to that next level, you'll be ready for it. Like, don't think about... What's going to happen so far ahead? Have your dream, but just take it one brick at a time. That's what I do. One step. Execute the one step. after you do that okay god what's next yeah i love that yeah it's beautiful i love that too you know even just walking by you in the hallway you have a very positive energy and a good vibration really i've got a little more too yeah maybe call me woo woo i don't care but i just pick up on energy and you and what do you do that keeps you grounded i definitely meditate a lot um i do I do pray, but most of all, I really really put a lot of intention on just like staying grounded like for me it's the beach I love the beach I love water my whole and that may just be a subconscious thing but like that's a place yeah anywhere where I can get solitude and just have that time to settle like okay but We're doing the things, we're living the dream, but don't forget to take a moment, take it all in, breathe, right? I feel more relaxed just with you saying that. I think I know. I'm kind of, like, relaxing myself. We just want to hear you speak. Who are some dream artists that you want to work with? Oh, my gosh. Okay, so, Beyonce. Of course, that is. Rihanna. I should have said besides Beyonce. Besides Beyonce. Because, like, they're all coming up. The Halftime Show. I'm super excited for that. Put it out there. Ooh. Manifest. Let me write you a song. Okay. Local woman, like hello. Local girl. Yes. Local stadium. Right. They are having it here. Uh-huh. Rihanna. And Ariana Grande. Yeah. Rihanna needs to start making music again. Yes. We would like it. I agree. We would like it. I agree. I love her contour and concealer. Don't get me wrong. I love it, but she's just such a goddess. I would like a new album. Yes. Who do you think Jay will bring out at the Super Bowl? Well, definitely Wifey. You think so? Yeah. Okay. Blue eyes. Okay. Okay. Blue, because she's a star. I hope maybe Solange will have a cameo. That would be fun. Just a whole family affair. Yeah, because Solange is really cool. Miss Tina just coming out too. Awesome. Just walk out. The crowd is going crazy. I know. I know. Yeah, but that would be cool if Solange popped out. You and Kelly Rowland so you can put the row in Rowland. You know what? I met her a couple months ago. She's so sweet. Is she like breathtaking? She's gorgeous. Oh, yeah. And nice and humble. Down to earth. She's like a gazelle. Oh, my gosh. It's long and beautiful. Yeah, she's very sweet. Okay, we're manifesting this for you. Yeah, let's do it. There we go. Put out your meditation tapes, too. Oh, yeah. Should I? Yes. I thought about doing, like, a meditation EP with, like, five songs. Please do it. Of just, like, mantras and inspirations. Things that help me. I think you should do it. What's the song that you listen to in yoga, like, during Shavasana? Mm-hmm. Shavasana. That's a good song, too. Listen, we want you to check out Rose EP, Lincoln Boulevard, and it's because your voice is so good. Can you take us to break? Can you just say, we'll be right back. Just whatever. We just, we want to hear it in your voice. Just we'll be right back. Okay. We'll be right back. It's better than we could have done it. Thank you. Nice to meet you. Thank you.