The Hot Seat: Pro-Choice, Pro-Flirting, Carolyn Rodriguez Is As Real As It Gets

Rolando Rodriguez March 12, 2010 3:00PM

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This past Monday was International Women's Day, and this week commemorates women and the issues that impact their lives. So it was probably important to get a woman in The Hot Seat. The first lady of Latino hip-hop, Carolyn Rodriguez, seemed like the perfect fit.

Last time we saw Carolyn was at a concert in San Antonio, but she was standing next to Latino hip-hop legend Juan Gotti and we're pretty sure he could dismember us with his bare hands, so we didn't flirt with her or anything. But she gave us some pointers on how to do it well. Take notes, gentlemen.

Rocks Off: We heard one of your songs playing as we were driving through San Antonio the other day. We were like, "Wow, we know her." Think about it. You've gone from drug dealer to inspirational musician who is heard by thousands on the radio. That's a played-out story for men in hip-hop, but not for women in the business. How does that make you feel?

Carolyn Rodriguez: Well, first, drug dealing was just side money. I always worked a steady job ever since I was legally able to work at age 15. The fact that I'm good with numbers and responsible with inventory would be my main reason for taking on that type of hustle. I didn't even know who I was at that time.

I was lost and had no idea God had planned a music career for me. I know I got tired of being referred to as "the girl with the good weed," when I first started doing music professionally, so this is a great feeling to break-free from being that type of connect. It feels good to have the cops and border patrols search my car and look dumbfounded and confused when I say "those are my CDs."

The downside is I get searched now more than I did when I was dealing. Nobody in normal society believes I am who I am and do what I do, not even my own father.

RO: You're like one of the most well-adjusted, confident, laid-back people we know. When we talk to you, it's like we've known you for years. Why is that?

CR: That's simply a real-recognize-real situation and Rocks Off is real with it. Talking about music is like breathing. It's 24/7, 365. It's easy for people who are passionate about music to click and get along. After all, doesn't music bring people together no matter how dire the straits?

RO: So we have to ask. Since we started writing on you, more than a couple of young men have wanted us to hook them up with you. What does a guy have to do to get your attention and keep it? What kind of guy do you like?

CR: Well, the guy has to do something. Doing nothing really turns me off. I want a man who is focused, gets to the money, and doesn't neglect the honey. He must be smart enough to carry on a conversation about global warming one minute, yet be able to switch to talking about the punk-ass snitch who caught Ray-Ray a dope case the next. I want a hood-corporate cultured muthafucka.

RO: Damn, you're hot. Well, we're too short to flirt with you, but one of the Rocks Off team members, who we'll leave nameless in case he has a girl, wouldn't mind hollering at you. Give us a pick up line that'll put a smile on your face. Give our boy a head start.

CR: Quote a line from one of my songs and that strokes my ego enough to put a smile on my face. And who can resist "Are you tired? Because you've been running through my mind all day."