It’s a bitter cold February morning in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Still, in pure New York fashion, people are out and about. Posted outside the historic Kings Theatre, I watch the neighborhood do what it does best—hustle. A few glances, and I spot her: Rocky Snyda. Marked by her signature fiery orange hair—she’s an easy stand out. Accompanied by her stylist and manager, there’s a fluidity to them, a bond that feels more like family than business.
For an artist who’s known for bringing so much energy to her music, in person, Rocky carries a surprising calm. Open. Present. Warm.
As we settle into the shoot and get acquainted, I realize she’s coming off a nonstop week: a beauty event, a release celebration, prepping for the Roots Picnic. But today, it’s something different. We’re spending the day together, diving into her upcoming project, 10/10 Would Recommend, her evolution as an artist, and what it really means to carve out her own lane as a Black woman in an industry that always seems to have a plan for who artists are “supposed” to be.
“I’m Not Just One Thing”—Rocky Snyda’s Evolution in Sound
In a time when Black women are forced into titles and expectations now more than ever, Brooklyn-bred Rocky Snyda resists categorization. Her music is an ever-evolving fusion of hip-hop, pop, dance, and whatever else she feels like experimenting with. “I just attack whatever genre speaks to me,” she says. “I don’t want to be put in a box.”
With 10/10 Would Recommend, she’s refining that versatility. “I want people to hear the growth,” she explains. “My music has always been about experience. It’s digestible but still me. This project is about stepping up every element—lyrically, sonically, visually.”
The Princess of Flatbush: What The Title Means to Her
One glance at Rocky’s Instagram bio and you’ll see it: Princess of Flatbush. It’s more than a moniker—it’s a declaration. “I grew up on Snyder Avenue, near East 52nd Street,” she says. “Traditional Black Caribbean household—my dad’s Haitian, my mom’s St. Lucian. That culture, that upbringing, it’s in me. But I always felt like a different version of what people expect from a New York artist.”
While Brooklyn’s rap scene is often associated with drill and hardcore hip-hop, Rocky is staking her claim in a space that defies expectations. “I’m not just drill, I’m not just hood—I am New York, but in my own way,” she says. “I wanted to give myself that stamp, to say I belong here, even if I don’t fit the mold, and I know other people can relate to that.”
She pauses, then smirks. “And I’m the princess, not the queen,” she adds. “I’m still evolving, still building my legacy.”
Transformative Training: From Theatre to the Stage
Rocky’s ability to shapeshift isn’t just sonic—it’s visual, it’s physical, and inspired by a deep theater background that many don’t know about. She honed her skills at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan, where she trained rigorously in singing, dancing, and acting. “A lot of people don’t know this about me, but it was 8 AM to 8 PM every day—super intense,” she recalls. “But it gave me an understanding of performance that a lot of artists don’t have.”
That background manifests in everything from her live sets to her visuals. For her album cover, she took on multiple personas—each version of herself styled differently, embodying the many facets of her artistry. “I’ve got my rocker side, my hip-hop side, my femme side,” she says. “I wanted the visuals to reflect all those layers.”
Defining the Next Chapter
For Rocky, this moment is about stepping into her own power. “I’m reintroducing myself,” she says. “I’m growing, I’m evolving, and I’m putting my best foot forward with this new music.”
A huge part of that evolution is deepening her relationship with her fans and cultivating a closeness with them. “I want that connection—I want my fans to feel like they’re a part of this with me,” she says. “Hanging out with them, doing more lives, group chats, shows—it’s important to me.” She refers to her fanbase as: The Cuties.
What’s Next?
With 10 /10 Would Recommend set to drop soon, Rocky is preparing for her biggest year yet. Between new music, major performances, and expanding her creative vision, she’s making one thing clear—she’s here to stay.
All in all, the project is a testament to what it means to be a Black woman and an independent artist taking full control of her craft in an industry where it’s easy to succumb to the pressures of people telling you to be something else. With 10/10 Would Recommend, she’s not out to prove anyone else wrong—but rather proving herself right.