Meet Ro, the Haïtian-born, Caribbean-infused R&B Artist, whose journey with music spans across borders and genres. Born in Cayes, Haïti, Rocard Beaucejour later flee to the US under asylum with his family, as political refugees.
Upon moving to the states, he rediscovered his love for music via blues and r&b. At the age of 13, Ro started learning guitar and from there he began paving his own musical journey.
Ro began songwriting, producing and performing as a solo act and behind other acts at 16. Playing bass guitar, guitar or drums in the church helped him evolve as a musician.
Later in his 20s he began releasing singles and EPs, as his musical journey continued – touring nationally and internationally with acts such as The Jackmoves, Arin Ray, NBDY, Elhae, The Young Picassos, and Ben Harper.
The Interview
So, I want to know your favorite song of all time.
My favorite song of all time? Damn, that’s such a great question. Adventure of a Lifetime by Coldplay Live. I could hear that song and it takes me back to a place and it’s euphoric and dopamine-inducing. I saw them live in concert and that song came on. I didn’t cry but that was the closest I felt to tears formulating underneath my skin. You wouldn’t expect that because I’m an R&B type of dude but Coldplay was one of my first musical experiences.
I know you connected to music early. I want to know the first moment it happened to you. The first time you saw yourself doing music in any capacity. The transition from ‘Music is something I love and listen to’ to ‘this is something I want to create’.
I never saw myself at the level that I am now, playing internationally, and even nationally. When I was probably 9 or 8…where we lived in Haiti and I didn’t find this out until recently- I’m at a barbershop and this dude is like, “Oh where you from in Haiti?”. I’m like, “A Cachon 32” and he’s like “Yo! I lived in A Cachon 34!” He was like I used to be on 34 a lot because there are two clubs on that block. I was like two clubs? He was like, “yeah huge clubs”. He was like, “you wouldn’t know because you were a kid. I’m thinking back, “That’s crazy because I used to be up.”
I used to sneak out of my room around midnight, go up to our balcony, and just listen to the music played by the clubs. I didn’t know. All I knew was that every night, there’d be music blasting out there. That’s when I first heard Tongue Song; that s** was hot. I heard Wyclef and Fugees- Ready or Not. They would play American music and that registered with me because I heard Kompa everywhere. I’d be like, “Oh s***, what is this?” I’d hear Mary J. Blige, Monica, and Brandy. I would just sit there on the balcony and just listen. I’d just have the melodies in my head, the 50-cent In Da Club beat. I didn’t even know what it was. I just knew it was hot. So, I started writing.
My parents were very conservative. We didn’t even listen to music. Even now, we listen to mostly Creole Gospel songs. But they had me in all the music s***. I had flutes and a piano in the crib so I was always fiddling around. That’s when I fell in love with music and realized it was an escape for me. And then, it became a drug.
How were you able to even choose music as a career path with the background that you have? How were you able to find your voice in the music that you’re making? Allowing yourself to make the art you want to without feeling like you’re doing something wrong. It took me a while to accept and embrace. Even now, I still struggle with it. I’m first generation Haitian that came to the States. I wasn’t born here and my parents weren’t born here. I’m always in survival mode. I came here when I was 10-11. I have those memories of how crazy it was back then. It was always hard to even think about music. One, I didn’t think I’d be at the level that I am now. I never saw them accepting it because of the money. You have to have bread to excel in it. It’s a business. It’s a music business. I came a long way where I, off my charms, personality, charisma, whatever the f***, managed to create some resources. I networked and found people that were able to get me into certain situations.
Even when I entered certain rooms had a few label meetings, and met Jcole about Dreamville, in the back of my head I kept thinking, “I know what I have to do to go full throttle.” Even if I tried explaining this to my folks, they wouldn’t understand. I could be like, “Hey Mom I went to Interscope today and met with the VP”, and she would be like, “Cool. So, when are you going to grad school?” And then I’ll be like, “Word. Yeah, I’ve been thinking about grad school”. Something is halting me and it’s fear. I can either explode and be great or I can be horrible and fumble. I’m First-generation and they sacrificed so much. So, I’ve just gone the safe route and done the best of both worlds. I went to school, graduated, and I’m glad I did. I got the opportunity to travel to Tokyo when I was in college. I told them about it and they were like, ” Non, sou fe sa, wap kite kay la” (if you leave, you can’t live here). I was just thinking, “damn, do I want to be homeless right now?” I did not want to fail them. I had seen them sacrifice so much.
Who has been the most influential to you as an artist?
Definitely my middle school music [guitar] teacher. God rest his soul. Alan Christian. I remember I was 13 singing in a classroom trying to impress some girl. He was walking past and he saw me and he asked me, “Do you want to sing for the guitar Club? ” I said, “Sure why not?” It was mad weird just standing there, so I asked if I could play. He said yes. He sat me down, gave me a guitar, and started teaching me how to play. He would take me to the shows and teach me guitar after school. He even came to my house to help me change guitar strings and met my grandma. Nice dude. Super nice dude. If I didn’t meet him, I probably would not have picked up an instrument, after I came here. I had instruments in the house growing up but it’s so much we had to leave behind. My parents were working three jobs here. There was no time to talk to my dad and ask him what he thinks I should do. If I had called him and said, ‘Hey pops, can you buy me a guitar?’ He would’ve said no. Every instrument I have was either a gift from somebody or I bought it.
How would you describe your musical style?
I would describe it as Alternative R&B with Caribbean influences. I appreciate my culture so I’ll always throw some Kompa in there. You’re gonna hear the drums. Then, I have this other side of me which is somber. I have very introspective music. I am worried about putting it out because it’s so reflective. It reminds me of Frank, Ode, and even some of my friends who make similar music. Creating a melody, it’s going to be dark minor chords and maybe a seven here and there. I’ve had people tell me like, ” Yo, this song made me cry. ” and I’ll be like, “damn what the f***?” That’s what I aim to do with my music on stage, even if it’s something I produce for somebody, I want you to connect with it. When I listen to Coldplay, I be feeling that s***. It’s like church but in its own way.
Who do you make music for?
My people. Black people. The Earth. The stoners. Not only that but just free-spirited people.
Where do you see yourself this time next year?
Honestly probably touring. I see myself collaborating with more people and getting more established as a creative, musician, and songwriter. I want to challenge myself to gain more exposure.
What is one thing in your career happening that would make you feel like it’s all been worth it?
Writing a song that hits Billboard’s Top 40. Seeing the people I work with succeed too would make me feel like we’re on a good path here. It would make me feel like we didn’t stray from what our 16-year-old selves wanted.
What is your favorite song that you have written?
It’s sweet Clementine and it’s not even released yet. When I write a song, I do it to escape and pour out whatever emotion I was dealing with and this song has a lot of that. I was talking about how much I had lost myself being on the road. I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. This song is about coming back to your center. You’re my sweet Clementine. I’m dropping it soon.
What do you want to be known for as an artist?
I want them to say my music is warm and introspective. I want people to listen to my music and think that it’s feel-good music as well. I want people to say that they feel the love when they come to my shows. I want people to experience every emotion listening to my work. My first EP Single was Goddess. That song took you on a roller coaster. I have an interlude; it takes you down and brings you back up all the way at the end. I think it paints a picture. I miss when albums were like that. I feel like in the R&B world, people still do it but only certain people
What scares you the most about pursuing your dreams?
First of all, dreaming is terrifying. What really scares me though is that it would work out. I grew up in the church so I always think of myself as Jonas from the Bible. God said, “Go here” but he didn’t, got swallowed up by a whale, and got spat out to where he needed to be. That’s how I feel. Every time I get burned out and I’m like, “I’m done. This music industry is crazy. The people are crazy”, someone calls me up with a new opportunity. Nothing is holding me back but me. I can only hear that so many times now. It will work out and I’ll be like, “F*** I didn’t think it would work out.”
