Before Ro$ama found his way to a recording studio, his journey began with a PlayStation and a cassette recorder. Growing up in Paris, Texas, the 2009 game 50 Cent: Blood in the Sand offered instrumentals that sparked his imagination. “Once you beat the game, they give you all the instrumentals,” he told Newsweek. Recalling his early days, Ro$ama shared how he would place the television beside the recorder, press play, and begin freestyling at the age of nine. For him, the type of beat did not matter.
Music quickly turned into a family affair. Family reunions featured informal freestyle battles, and young Ro$ama was often asked to perform. “They knew we would freestyle on the cassette tape, so they would make me rap during the family reunion,” he said, humorously adding that such expectations continue to this day.
A Family Name Finds Its Sound
These early musical experiences resonate throughout My Forte, his newly released solo album. The album’s title connects his musical prowess with his mother’s last name. “Forte is my mama’s last name,” Ro$ama explained. The word ‘forte’ has a musical meaning and relates to a person’s strongest skill. This connection provided a foundation for a deeply personal theme. “Music and my mama’s last name correlated,” he said. This coincidence allowed him to explore varied subjects while highlighting his versatility. The album features 20 songs, allowing Ro$ama to delve into reflection, boasting, and storytelling from his region, aligning with his goal: “I was trying to do different types of topics and skill-based songs to show I can do a lot of things.”
Writing Backward, Landing Forward
Ro$ama’s dreams evolved under the influence of artists who approached rap as a competitive forum. Notable figures include Lil Wayne, T.I., DMX, the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Nipsey Hussle, and Ludacris. Lil Wayne’s wordplay set a high standard. “I love how he played with words and how he made you think,” Ro$ama noted, wanting to surpass him. His creative process starts with a beat, with its tempo guiding the emotional direction. However, he often writes his bars starting from the end. “I write backwards,” he noted. He identifies the last bar first and builds the previous ones to enhance the impact. This technique gives his verses an architectural feel, with layered meanings and storytelling at play.
Two Sides of the Story
In “E.T.,” one song from the album, Ro$ama showcases his craftsmanship with a beat switch while maintaining a cohesive story. The initial segment offers a slower pace perfect for narrative development. When the production shifts, he takes the opportunity to increase the tempo without losing focus. Another track, “93,” reflects his hometown environment, while “E.T.” depicts his life’s current phases. These songs demonstrate Ro$ama’s ability to blend personal experience with community insight.
Ro$ama’s skills also extend to film music. He contributed to “BEAST MODE (Godzilla x Kong).” In preparing for it, he watched the film to match its grandeur and respond to BigXthaPlug’s verse. “I really just came on there trying to beat his verse and talk about the movie too,” he mentioned. This synergy suited the song and reflected the competitive spirit driving his work.
From the Room to the Center
The project 6WA expanded Ro$ama’s audience reach. Its release solidified his presence. “I felt like I was in the room, but people didn’t notice me,” he recalled. With the project’s success, listeners connected his voice with his artistry, recognizing his contributions. Released in February 2026, 6WA united Ro$ama with BigXthaPlug, MurdaGang PB, and Yung Hood under 600 Entertainment. The project acted as a proving ground. “6WA was like the preseason, like trying to make the cut,” he stated, explaining that it set the stage for greater expectations.
Ro$ama’s headlining performance at Rolling Loud marked a visible shift. He reversed a familiar dynamic by introducing BigXthaPlug during his set. “Instead of X bringing me out, I brought him out,” he said. This gesture conveyed gratitude and underscored his journey from being unnoticed to controlling his narrative.
With My Forte, Ro$ama intends to showcase his diverse abilities to audiences familiar with his collaborative work. “I just want to let them know I can do everything,” he stated. “I’m coming for everything.”