There are few people that have their hands in as many aspects of New Jersey’s Hip-Hop scene as Rodney Coursey.
From launching www.gardenstatehiphop.com a full decade ago to producing sold out shows at the biggest venues in Asbury Park and from his incredibly successful live ciphers to putting together last year’s monumental “A Great Day in Asbury Park” photo for the Asbury Park Press to his current role as a publicist for major label acts, if there was an event or artist that made noise at the Jersey Shore chances are Rodney was either directly involved or documenting it.
NJ Next’s Angelo Gingerelli recently caught up with the man who has been called the “Puff Daddy of Monmouth County” (Simmons & Moore Podcast – Winter 2018) as he embarks on one of his most ambitious projects yet, a rap meets rock tour that will take some of the area’s best artists to venues around the northeast.
When did you become a Hip-Hop fan? When did you decide to transition from fan to promoter, organizer, publicist, etc.?
I was born a Hip-Hop fan, just kidding. It was definitely between ‘94 and ‘95. My parents were in their mid-late 20’s when I was coming up, so I was introduced to a lot of great hip-hop through them. I still vividly remember attending this huge Hip-Hop concert in Belmar that featured Naughty By Nature, Onyx, and a few other big name rap artists at that time with my mom. Shout out to the hustler that tried selling us pictures of Kriss Kross on the boardwalk!
I decided to pursue a career in the hip-hop industry in 2009. It finally became a reality in 2017!
What were the initial goals for www.gardenstatehiphop.com How has the vision for the site evolved over the years?
The initial goals for Garden State Hip-Hop were to build relationships with artists from New Jersey, create great content, and establish our name within the internet Hip-Hop community. I’ve transitioned into the live event space and focus on producing high quality rap concerts showcasing artists from New Jersey, especially the Jersey Shore.
How did the idea for this summer’s Rap-N-Rock tour come about? Who are you working with to make it happen?
Bob Makin. He came up with the idea and I was all for it. Bob does great work for the rock ‘n’ roll community through the Aquarian Weekly and New Jersey Stage so I’m excited to be collaborating with him for this concert series.
How is preparing for a tour different than a regular show?
I would say the biggest difference is the level of communication needed to execute properly.
The line-up is huge and several of the acts have multiple members, how did you put all of this together and how do plan to make all of the moving parts work together during the show?
Bob and I have great relationships with artists that believe in us. Everything will work with effective communication and teamwork.
What should fans expect at the Rap-N-Rock Tour?
Fans can expect a unified music experience that celebrates indie artists and positivity.
What’s next for Rodney Coursey?
Continuing to contribute to my local music community and growing as a publicist at my new company WMA Agency.
Quick Answer Questions:
Top 5 MC’s Dead or Alive:
Q-Tip, 2pac, Black Thought, Jay Z, and KRS-One.
Top 4 Hip-Hop Websites/Blogs of all time:
Kevin Nottingham, DJ Booth, Okayplayer, and Nah Right.
Top 3 New Jersey artists that could blow-up in the next year:
Topaz Jones, AK, and Coi Leray.
Top 2 Artists (one rap, one rock) you would book on the Rap-N-Rock Tour if money/venues/scheduling was not a concern:
Topaz Jones and Angel Du$t.
Top 1 Reason everybody should come to the Rap-N-Rock Tour this summer:
When has anyone ever unified rock and hip-hop music at the Jersey Shore?
