Billy Rohan’s unique technique and flowing style on his board made all the next level tricks he did in the 90s in New York legendary in the city and around the world since he nailed them.
So, we were stoked after chatting with him briefly about skating to discover that he raps, and has released a series of solid tracks that we had never heard before.
Having a lot of skill on a skateboard is usually a good sign that a skater has another creative talent hidden up their sleeve. For Billy this has been the records inside the sleeves of iconic rap albums and hip hop gems he’s heard over the years, that inspired him to make his own music.
After giving his tracks a listen and getting hyped on his lyrics and beats, we had to ask him for a few words about his music and a playlist of artists who have influenced him and he sent over a load of sick tunes, that we’ve had on rotation.
Listen to Billy’s Wu-Tang stacked playlist below to get a dope blast of New York rap, a classic country hit, his track Switzerland and discover how the song came to life for yourself, in his 11 track mix.
“My track “Switzerland” was based on a time when I lived there, in Geneva, in 1998 and fell in love with the town and the people so I made a song about it.
The song was a freestyle I made in my friend’s studio in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
It was a one shot thing, he was a rock musician and I asked him if he could make a hip hop beat and he busted this out of nowhere!
I set my spliff down and jumped on the beat with the lyrics and it felt like landing a line first try at a marble plaza but just in the mind!”
Billy’s Playlist
1. William F Rohan – “Switzerland” – 00:00-4:04
2. Ghostface Killah – “Mighty Healthy” – 4:05-7:19
3. Killah Priest – “One Step” – 7:19-11:39
4. RZA “Tragedy” – 11:39-15:23
5. Jedi Mind Tricks ft. RA The Rugged Man – “Uncommon Valor – A Vietnam Story” – 15:23-19:22
6. Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah, Method Man, RZA, and Masta Killa – “Wu Gambinos”- 19:22 – 25:01
7. RZA ft. Inspectah Deck – “You Can’t Stop Me Now” – 25:01-29:01
8. Nancy Sinatra – “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” – 29:02 – 31:38
9. Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon and U-God – “Black Jesus” – 31:38-36:16
10. Ghostface Killah – “Underwater” – 36:16-38:17
11. RZA feat. Method Man & Cappadonna – “Wu Wear The Garment Renaissance” – 38:17-42:17
