Hundred Percent

Whether your an actor, dancer, artist or musician you look for a lot of different types of inspiration to help you produce your art, and in this case the guys from N2rK8, (pronounced “intricate”) are no exception to that. I got a chance to sit down with Matt “Rocky” Aguirre and Ulster “Alighieri” Napoles and talk about their journey in the music business and their upcoming band.

A:How did you guys come up with your name?
Rocky: No one gets it the first time around. N2rK8, pronounced “intricate” roughly translates to complex and detailed. To me, being a minority trying to come up, that’s complex. Filipino’s don’t have it made just yet. With all the stereotypes that label various ethnicity, its difficult to appeal to the masses when the may assume that we are “trying to be black”. No. We project a lifestyle and mentality specific to Southeast San Diego. Attitudes and characteristics are not always race specific especially when your venturing to speak out of universal ideas.

A:When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Rocky: Music came very organically to me. As early as I can remember, probably from when I was about 5, my parents would stand me in front of the family to sing or rap. I think that that came from my family’s musical background. Since then, I’ve always loved to perform and I’ve never been shy about it.

A:What are your musical influences?
Rocky: Definitely my family first and foremost. My grandpa enjoyed success and fame as an actor and singer for a group called the Rey Cards in the Philippines. Ask your parents, they’ve probably heard of them, haha! My dad and his siblings made a living by forming a band together while touring the country and playing gigs when they arrived here in the US. My dad understands the hectic lifestyle a performer leads. As a father, he naturally wants me to do better for myself, but he’s still very supportive of what I want to do.

A:Why do you feel that your music is different from everyone else’s your hear now a days?
Alighieri: That’s also difficult to say since everyone is running toward the same thing. In all honestly we are not so different. There are certain things that we utilize as often as the next guy. We aren’t reinventing the wheel. No one is. So its all about perspective. There are certain issues that we address and angle it in such a way we feel are relatable. With that, its that realness, that honestly that we want to come across. There’s nothing to hide in our stories.

A:What kind of future goals do you have with your group?
Alighieri: We have our goals to spark change within the Filipino community as role models and leaders. However, we would like to expand on that and speak out on issues that affect every person, only just with a Filipino perspective. We want to contribute the best we can and to do that is to reach as many people as possible. Its a bit idealistic, but what’s action without an idea behind it? We figure if we can represent our own community as ambassadors with the same message of unity, reality and hope, God willing, more people from various walks of life will connect with us. We aren’t looking to get signed, just known. Know us, our message, and our relation with each other. All else is icing.

A:Is there anything you’d like to tell the younger generation who’s been thinking about starting a music career but don’t have that motivation?
Rocky: What’s stopping you, kid? Don’t be afraid to express how you feel. Fight or flight, speak now or forever hold your piece. In life you’ll encounter people telling you that you’re no good; take that in stride. Believe in yourself because chances are that their only hating on what they can’t do themselves..

Alighieri: Have an idea. Develop it into action. Have a plan. Have faith. Believe. Know what you want and figure out how you want to get it. Work hard on your craft. Invest your time and energy. Stay hungry. Never half-ass or be self-serving. Be the best that your can be. Learn from others and create yourself. In the end, all that you do stems from you and you ought to want it to be the best that it can.

First, I just want to thank the guys for taking the time to sit down with me and tell me more about their music. For more information on their next upcoming events and to listen to some of their tracks go to: www.myspace.com/n2rk8music