Rodney Lucas is not one to hide behind an image or a cloak. This Chicago-born hip-hop artist transcends the caricatures and archetypes of typical rap fare involving drug sales and stashed weapons through a permeating authenticity and unrestrained emotional depth. Raised in poverty on the streets of Madison with his family since he was 12, Lucas has seen the inglorious lifestyle of drug dealing firsthand. Through his triumphs and tribulations, he has maintained an unwritten oath to spreading positivity through his full disclosure of the truths in his life.
""If I'm gonna have the platform to be able to speak to people and have my words amplified,"" he said. ""I'm gonna make sure that I give them the exact truth at that moment.""
Stage name F. Stokes, he emphasizes that his passionate tales of dreams, city life and urban decay do not contribute to any facade that he steps into once the stage lights dim.
""I've done all those things. It's not something I'm proud about, so I'd never brag about that,"" he said. ""It's my job to be a conveyor of a positive message so that we can continue to do this thing for the next 40 or 50 years.""
Once the lights dim down, however, F. Stokes establishes a level of raw intensity rarely seen in today's live hip-hop scene; in fact, he feels obligated to become an example for his young audience.
""As young black men growing up in the ghetto, we're taught to not show emotion. We're taught to not cry. We're taught to keep this very statue-like image even through heartbreak,"" Lucas said.
This projection of restraint and masculinity molded his style into a complete contrast of such negative reinforcement; being human is the common denominator.
Lucas' development is largely attributed to his life of traveling. After high school, Lucas began his life anew in New York City performing a large string of odd jobs to make ends meet before his career flourished. Since then, he has personally sold over 10,000 mixtapes on his own. Being a traveling man is something that influences his performance on a larger level by incorporating his experiences into his charisma and presence.
""I think the more you travel and the more you interact with people from different countries and different states … it only enhances the message,"" Lucas said. ""If I'm painting a picture, everywhere I go becomes a different color I can choose from in the paint bucket. At this point, my palate has loads of colors; the richness is directly associated with me traveling.""
As for Madison, every show is a homecoming for Lucas. He prides himself on establishing a grassroots fan base in a city where he once struggled with homelessness and the dangers of the drug dealing culture. His mom comes to almost every show here, and even popular Midwest producer Lazerbeak appears for support most of the time. What makes him continue to come back?
""Friends and family and just being able to perform my work in front of people that I used to work at the factory less than a mile away from the venue. At one time, I lived in the shelter that was 5 blocks from the venue I'm playin' at. It makes it a very intimate story. I'm just grateful that you guys have been listening to the message.""
