Roc Mikey, the lead rapper and an original member of the UCB go-go band, has set off fireworks in the DMV by releasing a series of diss tracks aimed at Wale.
Wale is also a DC-based rapper, and one of the few local artists signed to a major record label. He was initially affiliated with Allido/Interscope and Roc Nation. In March of this year Wale inked a new deal with the
Maybach Music Group, an imprint owned by hip-hop heavyweight Rick Ross.
Roc Mikey's attacks on Wale were particularly surprising because they previously had a close working relationship. Roc Mikey and Wale shared the spotlight in the
"Pat Your Weave" video (the hit single from UCB's
The Blend mixtape). They also collaborated on
Gordo Brega's song "Like Go-Go". UCB has toured extensively with Wale serving mainly as his backing band.
In this interview with The Examiner, Roc Mikey discusses his problems with Wale, the status of the UCB band, his deal with
Steve Francis and
Mazerati Music, and the numerous projects he's currently working on.
ST: How long have you been involved with go-go and hip-hop?
RM: I've been in the game since 1997. I was one of the original members of the UCB band. It was me, Marcus Clark, and Walker "Tre" Johnson. We used to have band practice in my mother's basement.
ST: Talk a little bit about the band. Some people think that Wale put UCB "on" instead of vice-versa.
RM: Like most bands we struggled in the beginning, but eventually we became one of the best new bands in DC. UCB really made their mark on the city. We've done a lot of charity events in DC, and before we were even involved with Wale we were already doing shows outside the area in places like Las Vegas and Jamaica. We also had a #1 smash single with the song "Sexy Lady".
ST: How did UCB begin working with Wale?
RM: Wale was introduced to UCB in 2005 by
Kenny Burns (Studio 43), and we formed a relationship with him (Wale) by allowing him to hang out with us and perform a few singles that
Studio 43 was pushing. In the beginning it was UCB & Wale, but as his success grew it became Wale & UCB. But we were still right there by his side supporting him and protecting him in the DMV area. Things happened so fast with Wale that we (UCB) lost focus on our projects. When we finally began working on our own projects again I saw a change in Wale's attitude and his support for us - and I feel that was foul.
ST: Was UCB properly paid for the work they did with Wale?
RM: UCB was not compensated at all for allowing Wale to perform his singles when he was at Studio 43. But it wasn't a problem, we all approved of it and we did that out of straight love. We didn't start getting paid until Wale signed with Allido. I believe the pay was fair up until late 2010 when we were still receiving the same amount and he was getting much more. Around this same time he also stopped UCB from performing our music during his set.
ST: How does the rest of the band feel about Wale?
RM: Some members of UCB have lost their love and desire to be a band and have decided to become musicians for hire. Some members feel that Wale is their only ticket to success, and they don't see the neglect and abandonment of UCB.
ST: But you have to admit that the relationship with Wale did open some doors for UCB.
RM: I feel he helped expose me and UCB to another level of the industry, but nothing that we couldn't have acquired on our own. I believe this would have happened with or without Wale. The support was expected to go both ways because we never stopped supporting him. Wale uses people to get where he's trying to go then burns the bridge after he gets there.
ST: Several local rappers (
Garvey,
Bossman, City Boy,
Carty-Yeah,
KayeM,
Chaos, Mo C.H.I.P.S.,
Hazzard) have dissed Wale in the past. What's the story behind your beef with Wale?
so this is why he makes a whole mixtape aimed at another nigga ?
