From the Hood to the Moon

There are only 24 hours in a day, but don't bother sharing that information with 18-year old star Romeo who's busy keeping a daily schedule that would send most of us spiraling out of control. The young entrepreneur, rapper, actor, humanitarian, and now basketball player knows no limits when it comes to his dreams and achievements. Since appearing on the scene in 2001, at the age of 11 with his solo album, Lil'Romeo, Romeo has been consistently building an empire. Recently, he took some time out of his hectic schedule to talk about basketball, the state of hip-hop, Hurricane Katrina, the moon and yes, Dolly Parton. Following in the tradition of his father and hip-hop icon, Master P, Romeo proves why he's the hardest working (young) man in show business.

Souleo: Let's start with the big news. You announced earlier this year that you'll be playing basketball for the University of Southern California beginning next year. But for those not aware of your love for basketball they may wonder why play for the team when you're rich enough to own the team?!

Romeo: (laughs) Well, basketball was always a passion of mine. I always incorporated playing basketball in my videos. Before the music and before the acting I had a ball in my hands. I got pictures of me at the age of 2 with a basketball in my hand, so that's a very deep passion for me, and it just runs through the family. I don't know anybody in my family who doesn't play basketball. My dad had made it to a couple NBA teams back in 1999. Now, I just feel really blessed to be doing what I love and to be good at it.

Souleo: So who wins on the court you or your dad?

Romeo: (laughs) Ya'll don't tell him this but I got him now!

Souleo: So you're the top dog on court now!

Romeo: Yeah, he's 6'5 so he tries to post me up but I'm too quick.

Souleo: So being a little shorter is an advantage.

Romeo: Oh yeah, you just have to use everything to your advantage. That's how I look at life off the basketball court and on the court.

Souleo: Are there any basketball players whose style is similar to your own?

Romeo: People compare me to Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, and Nate Archibald.

Souleo: Those are some serious comparisons.

Romeo: Yeah so I just feel real blessed and honored. I grew up around good people and playing with good competition. My homeboy, Demar Derozan, he actually committed with me too and he's a shooting guard. He could be the next LeBron James.

Souleo: So we've got the next LeBron James and the next Allen Iverson/Steve Nash. It sounds like you're about to do it pretty big.

Romeo: That's what we looking forward to at USC. We've got a great coach up there, Tim Floyd, who's like the Phil Jackson of college basketball. We're just real happy to be in the situation that we're in and we've got the best of both worlds.

Souleo: Speaking of the best of both worlds coming from hip-hop as a rapper and now going into the sports world, what do you think hip-hop adds to the sports industry?

Romeo: I think that it adds a certain kind of culture. I see hip-hop as being really strong and about showing character. I feel that's what the sport world wants. They want something that motivates them and that's why hip-hop and basketball make such a great combination.

Souleo: I'm sure you're aware of the current debate surrounding hip-hop with the music coming under attack for what some say are negative lyrics and images. In this debate we often hear from the older generation and veterans, but we haven't really heard what the young people think about this issue. So, as a young person having grown up surrounded by hip-hop what's your opinion? Is hip-hop too negative or not?

Romeo: People are going to judge and say what they want to say. I just think that everything that we're talking about right now needs to be looked at from another person's point of view. I didn't live your life you didn't live my life and different people have different points of view on everything. I've seen a lot in my life coming from a hip-hop family. I know that my pops did what he had to do to support his family and to get us out of the hood so that we could live a good life. They're talking about negative things but there's always a lot of positive things too that these hip-hop artists are doing.

Souleo: So your argument is that hip-hop gives back to the community and is more positive than negative?

Romeo: You know everything has its problems. The people in hip-hop are just trying to do what they can to survive. It's better than having people on the corner or on the block. I just feel that a lot of people are talking bad about hip-hop but it's still doing well. I think it beat country to be the number one music out there. So I feel that people are just talking and that we gotta keep our head on straight and keep going. It's a good thing as long as we make sure that we're doing the right thing for the kids, and are giving back and helping everybody in the community.

Souleo: I know that giving back is something that's very important to you. Being from New Orleans, the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina hit you hard and you went down there to help out. What was that experience like?

Romeo: Well you know me and my pops have been doing a lot of things. I think one week after the hurricane my parents and I flew down to Texas to see what we could do for the community. I was in charge of the kids, my dad was in charge of the adult men, and my mom was in charge of the women. I just wanted to make all the kids feel like they were at home so I brought basketballs, coloring books, and all these different kinds of things. My mom took care of the babies and my dad just wanted to be a mentor to all the men and help them out. We've got people going there every week, so we're constantly doing our part.

Souleo: I read that you once proclaimed yourself to be the young "Richie Rich." So when you went to Texas to help out Katrina victims or even when you were growing up were there ever moments when you were uncomfortable with your wealth, knowing that there's so much poverty in the world?

Romeo: Well, I've seen both sides so I think that's really helpful. I've seen the hood and then I've seen the good side. My pops always says that I got the best of both worlds because I've seen a little bit of everything. I just feel blessed to be in the situation I was put in. You know you see a lot of kids out here that are ungrateful and they think that money makes the world go round. But me and my dad we got a new book, Guaranteed Success and we're trying to show the kids that the wealthiest thing to have is knowledge. You can always make money if you have a good education.

Souleo: So being so young and as successful as you are is quite unusual. Do you ever look it all and just go wow, how did this happen?

Romeo: You know that's crazy because today I was just thinking about how young I am. I was looking at my Billboard awards and I got those when I was just 10 and a half. I was the youngest artist to ever have a number one record for 10 weeks in a row. I beat Michael Jackson's record and it's just crazy to see all the things that I've accomplished at such a young age. But the good thing is that my pops and my mom they always had me in regular school so that I could feel like a regular kid and I love them for that. So, I don't really feel that I missed out on anything.

Souleo: Well you certainly aren't planning on missing out on anything since you have a lot in the works: helping the community, the album Hip-Hop History with your dad which is out now, basketball, and you're working on another album, Gumbo Station. I hear that you have Rihanna on-board and some other surprises so what can we expect from Gumbo Station?

Romeo: Well, I named this album Gumbo Station, because I feel that there are a lot of different varieties in the music. I wanted to do something different and creative. I even named my new clothing line, Gumbo Station, which will be out next summer. And with this album we have a lot of surprises that I can't really give away right now...

Souleo: Awww, come on you can't give us anything?!

Romeo: (laughs) I can't give ya'll the surprise but it's going to be big and crazy. We've been getting a lot of good feedback from Dr. Dre and a lot of other people. I feel that it's going to be real big and I'm just trying to get a lot of things done before I start basketball. I'm working on two movies right now. I start filming my basketball movie, "Sweetwater," which is the story of an African-American basketball player. It's the untold story that nobody has really seen. I play the young version of Sweetwater and it's something that's real monumental. The whole family can watch it together.

Souleo: I know that your fans can't wait for the movie, but in the meantime they can have the music. So, you mentioned Dr. Dre but who else do you respect as an artist in the industry?

Romeo: There are a lot of people out there doing their thing, but I like a lot of different types of music. I might listen to country or rap, so I listen to everything.

Souleo: So you like country, eh? I like it too and one of my favorites is Dolly Parton. Do you enjoy her music?

Romeo: You know she's doing her thing. As long as she keeps coming up with the hits it's all good.

Souleo: Who else do you like?

Romeo: Garth Brooks. I also like Nelly Furtado and Akon. I think those two are really doing their thing.

Souleo: Speaking of doing one's thing, if you weren't involved in the entertainment or sports industry what would you be doing?

Romeo: Well I think I'd try and be a mentor; just telling the kids to keep their heads up and everything. Actually when I was younger I was really into stars and spaceships, so probably something with astronomy and flying to the moon.