Bobby J From Rockaway – Where I’m From

Bobby J From Rockaway releases the new video for the Statik Selektah produced ‘Where I’m From’.

Growing up in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York during the 90s, Bobby was immersed in a plethora of musical inspiration- from his mother’s love of classic rock to his father’s affinity for disco, soul & Motown. It was his older brother Eric though who introduced him to hip-hop. Bobby J From Rockaway began his ascent into the industry at the young age of 13 when he met ‘The Rhythm’ rapper Kwamé, who at the time had begun his reemergence in the industry as a producer. Bobby describes his time under Kwamé, who has since sold over 30 million records as a producer, as a period of artist development.

“Kwamé saw something early on and just took me under his wing. He coached me on how to make the transition into making records.” Ultimately, Bobby, whose sound and style are an ode to the era that birthed him, hopes his music can help inspire the imagination of new listeners. “I would like to be one of the artists of today that someone who is 11/12 years old that may just be getting into hip hop can look up to.”

Bobby J announced his new project by premiering his new single and video Where I’m From with HipHopDx.  “Where I’m From is probably my favorite record from the project and really encapsulates the feeling I’m going for. As soon as Statik played me this beat, I started saying Tre’s “being where I’m from” line from Runnin in my head. The hook and concept came to me right away.  The crazier part is, when I went to record it, Statik actually had the Runnin acapella and was able to layer that part under my vocals which made it sound even doper. Conceptually, the song is just trying to paint a picture of day to day life in my neighborhood of Rockaway Beach, Queens.

However, the message is universal. When it came time to shoot the video, it was right around the time of Rockaway’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which happens on the 1st Saturday of every March. I had my videographer capture footage of people in the neighborhood having fun in their natural element. However, the outcome is bittersweet, as it was the last time people were able to gather before social distancing became a part of daily life. It’s a snapshot of daily life that we as New Yorkers’ might not see again for a long time.”

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