Now more than ever, boxing has crossed over to pop culture platforms, opening the doors for Hollywood actors and music industry artists to discuss the sport in public forums like social media. Multi-platinum and award-winning producer Gregory Green, better known to the music industry as “Rsonist”, from “Heatmakerz”, has incorporated his hardcore fandom for the sweet science into his life. More recently, he released a collaboration album with hip-hop artist Joell Ortiz titled W.A.R. (With All Respect).
The Moment That Changed His Life
The 47-year-old Rsonist, from Mandeville, Jamaica, moved to the Bronx, NY at the young age of 4, leaving him with few childhood memories of his native land. He started as a DJ during his junior year of high school, which continued into his college years when he was kicked out. After being kicked out of college, with a baby on the way, he began his journey as a producer when his old partner “Thrilla” (Sean Thomas) bought an MPC (Music Production Center) and let him hold it when he went to Trinidad. A pivotal moment came when Todd Terry, believing in Rsonist’s talent, purchased about $30,000 worth of equipment, giving him all the tools necessary to make his dreams a reality.
From 2002 to 2004, Rsonist’s production journey evolved from trying to make a name for himself to becoming a chart-topping producer. His work on The Dipset project Diplomatic Immunity and subsequent solo projects for the artists in the group (Camron, Juelz Santana & Jim Jones) led to platinum plaques covering the walls of his studio. Although one would think he would be over the moon, Rsonist was so focused on creating another hit that he could not enjoy the fruits of his labor in the moment.
“I didn’t even understand all of that was going on,” said Rsonist. “I was in the studio making music and making as much of it as I could. I just felt like this was my chance [at that time]. When people were telling me Dipset was hot, I seen it, but I wasn’t really paying attention because I was trying to come up with the next thing. I didn’t understand how hot Dipset was until they dropped the album, and fans started to ask for pictures with me.”
How The Love of The Sweet Science Grew & Helped With Mental Health
“I’ve always loved boxing but didn’t start studying it until my early 30s,” said Rsonist. “Before, I used to watch it casually but when I got into my 30s, that’s when I started to really study it.” If you follow him on social media, you will see that the multi-platinum producer follows boxing closely and loves to engage in posts that break news about fights or host a debate about a hot topic.
Almost every morning, Rsonist can be seen on Instagram hitting a heavy bag at a gym. While some use it as a way to stay in shape, Rsonist uses it to start his day and control his anxiety before hitting the studio.
“From 35 and on, I began to get some bouts of anxiety from time to time, and I can’t even tell you why, to be honest with you. I’m naturally an angry person, just in the sense that it is either black or white with me. I’m either the nicest person in the world, or I’m ready to rip someone’s head off. I feel like that [boxing training] simmers me down to start my day. I can get my aggression out early in the morning, and then I can coast through my day. The days I can’t do that, I feel the difference, like I’m on edge. It [boxing training] has helped me a lot.”
Rsonist Collaborates With Joell Ortiz For The W.A.R. (With All Respect) Album
October 25 was a big day not only for hip-hop artist Joell Ortiz, who released his latest project titled W.A.R., but also for the executive producer, Rsonist. The album came together organically and was not rushed, which is evident in the overall sound and the positive reception from the hip-hop community. When asked how this project came together, Rsonist described a natural process between artist and producer while having the ability not to rush anything.
“I’ve been around Joell [Ortiz] on a consistent basis for about five or six years,” said Rsonist, establishing the foundation of it all. “In the last year, we have been around each other more and have had random conversations about life. Sometimes, I’m having that conversation while I’m making a beat and I might look over, and he’s writing out of nowhere. We just built up so many records we were like, ‘we need to do a project where every song is about something.’ I think he has gotten to a point in his career where him just rapping isn’t going to impress his fans anymore. I was like, ‘You have to let the fans into your thought process and into your life a little.’ That’s what we did on this album.”
Life Lessons & The Future
With all of the platinum plaques and awards over the years, Rsonist has welcomed the accolades while genuinely accepting the down periods. But there is a lesson in everything, and if he had the opportunity, although he has no regrets, he would tell a younger version of himself something he knows now. “I would tell myself, know your value & be patient. Back then, you were thinking that these people [the music industry] are doing me favors by putting me in these rooms or with these artists, not understanding that you bring a lot to the table. They want to mess with you because of how much money you have brought them or to the label.”
With a new project out now, Rsonist isn’t letting up and has a few upcoming projects. He is also reuniting with a familiar artist, with whom he’s shared plenty of success, for the sequel to one of that artist’s biggest albums.
“I have a few other projects coming out. One is by an artist named Locksmith, and we have a seven-song EP coming out. I have another with an artist by the name of I Born, which is a nine-song project called Born Again, which actually drops November 1. I have an instrumental project dropping in January, and sometime next year, me and Jim [Jones] will drop El Capo 2. We are five records in, so we workin’.”
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