Docman
Houston, TX | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | INDIE
Music
Press
Check out the interview with Docman exclusively on Skilly Magazine Online.
Skilly: Where did this all start? Tell us about your journey in the entertainment business.
Docman: This all starting in 4th grade (2004). My older cousin used to freestyle a lot in my old neighborhood, Queensbridge to be exact. I wanted to do everything he did. His original gig was the typical drug dealer, but he had the passion for music. He was killed in 2004 outside of a club called The Tunnel. Ever since the night of his murder I wanted to take the only thing I felt was true to his name and personify it. So I started rapping.
In 2007 I moved to Houston, Texas and met up with Empier Entertainment, a group of guys that have been down with me since the beginning of tackling this music industry. I’ve always been in the music, but I started taking it serious once I met my team.
So far the things I’ve done in the music industry, to me, feel like I’m in the right direction. I’ve been on tour twice and dropped an EP that has gained the attention of some notable people in the industry.
What would be your biggest piece of advice for the young kids out there trying to do what you do?
My biggest advice for the people trying to do what I do is to not let anybody stop you from doing it. Get a budget and let nothing take away from that budget. Create relationships with the right people.
What are some of the hardest challenges and tasks in your position?
I’m CEO of Empier Entertainment. It is an independent record label of six artists. Being in that position is stressful because I’m the head of the success as well as the failure. The one thing that eats me up the most is when something flops it is my fault, but when something succeeds it is all credited to the artist. That is kind of how it plays out when you are a no-name brand label.
If I had to pick a particular challenge in my position I would say making my artists hot and at the same time making me hot. It is like I’m doing two jobs at once.
We all know the entertainment business is very tough, but what do you find is the best way to promote and advertise your music?
I say there are two ways to promote your music. One, have a co-sign by someone of influence. It doesn’t matter how good the song may or may not be; a co-sign from someone like a Drake is instant status. Two, a thing I like to call “the reinforcement.” This is where you blast social media with ads of your music, not regular spam post, ads. Then after like a month, shift all gears to physical face-to-face promotion.
Tell us about your city. How are the artists and the fans?
I’m originally from Queens, New York. I moved to Houston in ‘07. I would consider both cities my city. In New York it’s really hard to gain traction because of the amount of talent there. This makes it hard for fans to support anybody there because they feel they can find the same thing on the next couple of blocks. As far as hip hop artists there, the New York rap influence is fading away. Everyone wants to sound like they’re from Chicago or Atlanta.
In Houston, the artists that have big influences are alright; they are not anything special. I feel a lot of them are one dimensional. The last artist from Houston to go platinum was Chamillionaire. I feel like the fans in Houston keep the Houston rap scene isolated from mainstream success. I love Houston and I want to be the next guy out of Houston with a platinum plaque for an album.
Where do you see yourself a year from today?
I see myself or an artist on my label with an album that is at least gold.
Who and what were your biggest inspirations? Who do you look up to in today’s world?
My biggest inspiration was my cousin that was killed back in 2004. He told me right before he died to not let anything stop me from getting money. Back then I wanted to get into all the drug stuff, but he wouldn’t let me. I keep on with this music to make him proud of me. Another inspiration is 2Pac. His struggles with life are very similar to mine.
As far as looking up to someone, I don’t really look up to anyone, but there is a person that motivates me to become better than them. That person would be Kendrick Lamar. He is a very skilled and thoughtful artist. Listening to TPAB, you could tell the amount of time and commitment he put into that album. It motivates me to create something greater than that.
How do you feel about the music coming out today? Do you like it?
There is some music today that I check for. I’m not really into artist like Migos or Young Thug. Not to say that I don’t like trap music, I love trap music but I also love it when rappers actually rap. I like what Kendrick is doing. I like YG. I’m rocking with Dave East.
Where can we contact you and find you online?
Official Website: www.empierdoc.com
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/artist/docman/id865613126
Spotify: play.spotify.com/artist/7zM1GIusjCfPRdG4cgU0Dt
YouTube: @empierdoc - Skilly
The hat says it all, "QBC." Maurice Robinson, aka "Docman," hails from the same afflicted streets that gave us legendary rap icons NAS and Mobb Deep - Queensbridge, New York. It's no surprise that Robinson's messages are packed with social and political depth, a reflection of his keen perceptiveness and lyrical creativity. "Queens made me," says Robinson, "but Houston raised me." In 2007, Robinson relocated to Houston, Texas where he has continued to develop his lyrical artistry, but he'll never leave behind the influence the QBC had on his life. From the age of 2 years old, Robinson was surrounded by the type of negative cultural influences all too common to the youth of that area. Fortunately, Robinson found his passion in music. "When I used to live in New York, my older cousin used to freestyle a lot on the block. I wanted to do everything he did. I had the little brother syndrome bad." Inspiring creativity in Robinson wasn't the only impact his cousin had, "He was real heavy into the typical drug dealer life - I wanted to do that also, but he wouldn't let me." In 2004, tragedy struck as Robinson's cousin was shot and killed outside of a club, just before he died he influenced Robinson one last time, "he told me never let anyone or anything stop you from getting your money. I rap because I feel like it's my way to stay connected with him."
As a developing artist, Robinson was heavily affected by the works of Tupac Shakur, "His struggle I feel coincides with mine so much." Robinson believes that one of the more notable aspects of Tupac's influence was his content versatility, "In his music, you get the party Pac, the happy Pac, the political Pac and the love Pac - All of the styles could stand alone and be epic. That's how I want my music to be." Robinson's sense of cultural creativity allows him to identify the contradictory messages in rap and hip hop, yet understand the applicable message in each of them, "I want to be able to tell your kids to put the guns down and at the same time, pick them up when someone is messing with your family." When speaking specifically about modern day influences, Robinson sited Kendrick Lamar, "Kendrick is my modern day influence because his creativity is unmatched when it comes to today's rappers. I admire that a lot."
What do you love the most about making music? "The thing I love the most about making music is the freedom. I can take one aspect of my life and make a whole story around it and make it appeal to the world. Music is a release when no there is no one else to go to." - Hub Pages
Queens New York upstart “Docman” kicks off 2016 strong! Dropping off a 5 record mixtape “Streets Is Still Watching” his delivery is all the way East Coast but he’s really easy to adapt to if you’re a southerner. I really like his beat selection & clarity. Im excited to see what power moves Docman is going make this year! Get hip & bump some of his latest work! Enjoy! - SayCheesTV
Houston rap artist Docman has released his new single entitled, "The Bizarre." The single will appear on his forthcoming project Streets Still Watching 2. "The Bizarre" features Meetchie and Babyboy who are signed to Doc's record label, Empier (not Empire) Entertainment. "The Bizarre" explores the range of emotions they feel within their complicated love lives. - IndieRapBlog
Who said lyrical rap is dead? Today, I stumbled across Queens native Docman and his cool cut titled, “the Bizarre.” Featuring fellow MC’s Meetchie and BabyBoy, this track describes the struggle of relationships and the rollercoaster ride that is love. This one is definitely worth checking out. From the verses to the hook, to the production, it’s just an overall vibe. Press play below and enjoy! - Daily Chiefers
Discography
The DOCument (EP) - 2015
Streets Is Still Watching (Mixtape) - 2016
I'm Leaving: A Story Narrated by ilunaee (Album) - 2016
REVENGE (EP) - 2017
Kill the Bizarre PRIDE 4 U (EP) - 2018
Bac 2 Da Darkside (EP) - 2018
Veni Vidi (Album) - 2019
Photos
Bio
On, November 5, 1993, Maurice “Docman” Robinson was born in Yuma, AZ. His mother and father were stationed there at the time. In 1995, Robinson’s parents split, and his mother moved to New York. They moved into an apartment with his two cousins, Lenard Gibson (LG) and Nathanial Robinson. LG, his older cousin, was into the drug dealing epidemic of the 90s. Docman was heavenly influenced by the things that were happening around him. Typical life in Queensbridge in the late 90s was rough. His mother was struggling to make ends meet as she worked two jobs. With his mother not being home, Docman was forced to take to the streets for that attention.
On January 27, 2004, LG was hanging outside of a nightclub in Manhattan. At approximately 12:35 AM, a black SUV parked at the end of the block. As LG proceeded to walk down the street, 3 masked men jumped out of the car and short Gibson to death. Docman was in his neighborhood when a couple of his close friends came to inform him. Three years later, Docman, Nathanial, and his mother moved to Virginia. After two years, Docman moved to Houston, TX.
In 2006, Docman moved to Houston, TX. Originally landing in the south west side of Houston, Docman's mother, Kim, relocated to the south east side of Houston. Docman attended Dobie High School and joined various clubs. While in high school, he joined the debate team. Through is successes on the team, Docman earned a scholarship to Texas Southern University. After graduating in 2017, Docman pursued music full time.
Docman didn’t start rapping in 2007. His journey started back in 2004 when his cousin was killed. Before his cousin’s demise, LG would freestyle on the corners of New York while he sold drugs. Docman, being around him all the time, was amazed by the love he was getting off of making words rhyme. While his cousin was on his death bed, he told Docman to “never let anyone get in between him and success.” Docman says, “I rap because it helps me connect with him.”
Back when his cousin was on the corner selling drugs, Docman would always want to participate. Everything his older cousin would do, he would try to emulate. So, in-turn, everyone in the neighborhood nicknamed him “Down On Crime”. After a while, Maurice shortened it to Doc. As Doc became more into rap, he felt the need to change his name. At the time Robinson was very into Wu-Tang and Def Squad. He was particularly into Method Man and Redman. When Doc finally decided to change his name, he followed suit and added “man” at the end of “doc”.
Band Members
Links
