Fayetteville ties, viral Trump video leads to success for rapper, producer
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was the only solo studio album ever put out by Lauryn Hill. Fans and critics praised Lauryn for the body of work. However, she never released a second project.
In a clip that has surfaced on social media, Hill explains that she didn’t release a second project because the music lacked substance. The lack of substance was a result of Lauryn’s work ethic. She did not take the time to live life and gain experiences to draw inspiration from.
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Fayetteville musician Ronnie C loves to live life and loves the life he lives. The son of two servicemembers, Ronnie understands the importance of discipline.
His upbringing begins in Bonnie Doone, a section of Fayetteville located just a mile from Fort Liberty. His parents, Anna and Ronnie Rouse, settled in a modest home located on the corner of Patton and Grooms streets. In this home, they raised their children not to become a victim of circumstance.
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During the 1990s, Bonnie Doone became an area known for crime, ranging from prostitution to murder. During his time in Bonnie Doone, Ronnie attended Terry Sanford High School, a place he credits with opening his mind to new experiences. However, his parents relocated to College Lakes, a neighborhood in between McArthur Road and Ramsey Street.
It was in College Lakes that Ronnie met the Ikeda brothers — Keith, Keola and Kevin. The Ikeda brothers helped Ronnie to become the artist he is today and the reason he continuously travels between Hawaii and North Carolina.
The brothers are a trio of producers that helped Ronnie to cultivate his sound as a musician by teaching him how to play piano, and they even gifted him a keyboard.
$7,500 a beat, but free beats for voters
Nowadays, a beat from Ronnie C, whose last name is Rouse, could cost up to $7,500. But Ronnie does more than make beats.
He is a versatile rapper that possesses the talent and vocabulary to work with the likes of Fayetteville native and 2x Grammy award winner Timothy Bloom on songs such as “The Workshop” and “Labor 4 Your Love.”
Ronnie also uses his art to create awareness. During one election cycle, he offered to give away free beats to anyone who voted. He has always been politically engaged, and on March 9, 2016, Ronnie would record a video that lives on forever in American history.
Assault at a Trump rally, viral video, international headlines
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump made a stop in Fayetteville, at a packed Crown Coliseum. Rouse and the mother of his child, Kathleen, had been protesting Trump’s policies prior to his visit. However, he decided to attend the campaign event to become more informed.
Rouse and others, including myself, attended the rally with the intention of listening to the then-presidential candidate. However, just as Donald Trump took his place behind the podium, Rouse and the group were asked to leave the event because of an apparent disturbance.
Just as the Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputies approached, Ronnie C pulled out his GoPro camera and began recording. The footage Ronnie caught on camera has been played millions of times around the world via major news outlets and social media.
In the clip, Rouse and the group can be seen being escorted away from the event. As they were being escorted, John McGraw strikes a member of the group — me.
Rather than detaining McGraw, the sheriff's deputy wrestled me to the ground before forcefully removing me from the building.
The main reason the incident gained traction at such a rapid pace is because among the group removed was Washington Post reporter Justin Moyer. The incident made international headlines.
A catalyst for social justice
Rouse’s footage was one of the catalysts to the 2020 social justice movement. He went on to write about his experience in a piece entitled "What I Know About America After Getting Thrown Out of a Trump Rally," published by The Huffington Post. Today, Ronnie C still produces, composes and records music.
For more music and updates from Ronnie C, follow him on Instagram @theronniec910. Salute to Ronnie C and every activist getting active. Peace.
Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville musician helped spark social justice movement
