Life happens.  Sometimes when we least expect it fate takes the steering wheel down the road of life, drives us to a destination, and leaves us alone at a crossroads where we must decide upon a course of action.  Rob G was faced with such a dilemma when he was forced to choose between a rising rap career or caring for his sick wife and son.  For Rob G, the decision was simple: he put his career on hold for his family.

Rob G cared for his son as he painfully watched his wife slowly die before his very eyes from gastro-intestinal cancer.  He lost her on January 17, 2008 and has since been juggling attending to the needs of their son, whilst working towards his re-emergence as an artist.  Armed with a stronger motivation and focus than ever before this Ozone Award nominated artist is ready to let his voice be heard loud and clear with the release of his album, The Inauguration.

Sixshot spoke with the MC as he opened up about the loss of his wife, the challenges of being a single father, being a voice of the people, and more.     

Sixshot.com:  I want to offer condolences on the loss of your wife.  How are you handling that loss?

Rob G:  Well this loss is definitely the most difficult thing that I've been through as a man in my life.&n bsp; It's not the first time that I've ever had to struggle.  So I'm handling it right now by staying positive and keeping my head up.  As much as it hurts me to lose my woman and the mother of my child, the reality is that I’m a single father.  I have to wake up every morning, provide for the household, and establish my career so that my future is set in stone.  As much as it hurts I still try to find something good in all the bad that we go through.  Struggle can either destroy or ruin you, or it can motivate you to become a better person—so that’s how I deal with it.

Sixshot.com:  What are some of the challenges you now face as a single dad?

Rob G:  First and foremost, I have a whole other appreciation for my wife because now that I have to deal with everything.  Before it was some cave man s***.  I go out, bring the food back, and that's what I did.  So now I gotta be on top of the bills, my son’s school like every single day, be on top of his medical things and everything that has to do with being the man of the house.  I have a great deal of respect for my wife, may she rest in peace.  I also have a great deal of respect for women in the household and how valuable they are and how much they hold us down.  Our lives would be so difficult without them, so big up to all the women.

Sixshot.com:  How old is your son?

Rob G:  He’s six years old.  He was born on Sept. 11, 2001 the day the actual towers fell.

Sixshot.com:  How is he handling the passing of his mom?

Rob G:  That’s probably the hardest thing I ever had to do as well.  We’re a very close family.  I’m 26 years old and so was my wife.  So I was worried at first like he's not gonna really understand it cause he’s young or he might completely understand it and be hurt.  When I told him he started crying so that’s when I knew this was nothing that I could fix and just move on.  So it’s hard.  He definitely misses his mother but at the end of the day I put a positive twist on it.  I make him remember his mother everyday.  I always bring her up and let him know she is watching him.  He had to watch his mother suffer so I told him, “Mommy is not hurting no more or sick anymore.  She is healthy now and is a guardian angel.  It's me and you against the world.  I got you.”  So I try to instill my positive outlook in him and it seems to be working.  He can talk about and remember his mother happily and he’s moving on as well.

Sixshot.com:  Were there any words that she left you with that’s helping you now as you try to solidify your musical career?

Rob G:  I believe a lot in faith and karma.  She woke up one morning in a diabetic coma and it could have been over in our hose right then and there.  They said she would stay in the coma and pass away.  Miraculously, after one day in the coma she woke up out of nowhere.  When she woke up she was coherent and we got to talk.  I got to give her my final goodbyes, tell her I love her, and cater to her and make her as comfortable as possible in her last moment.  She got to see her son.  So as sad as it is if it had to happen I couldn’t have asked it for any other way.  I got to say goodbye.  I told her I loved her.  She told me that she believed in me a hundred percent and knew that I would raise a great son and be a great dad.  So that was very motivating.

Sixshot.com:  You mentioned providing for your family and it seems like there’s always been that pressure upon you.  So how does Rob G let go of some of that potentially overwhelming burden?

Rob G:  My father passed away when I was 12 and we’re a very small family.  My parents are immigrants from South America so it was really just me and my mother.  My sister was already grown and out the house doing her thing.  So watching her [mother] have to raise me, maintain her job and the household prepared me for all of this.  I tell people that what I have trouble with the most is not having drama.  I’m used to being on edge and worrying about something.  It's hard to get used to that not happening and that's something I'm noticing.  It's like a habit to me and it's hard for me to loosen up sometimes.  I think it’s a slow process that will take some getting used to.

Sixshot.com:  Musically, I hear that one of your goals is to be a voice for youth and Latin America.  What are you hoping to give voice to?

Rob G:  For one, a voice and an inspiration to Latin America and kids like myself to be proud of their culture and what they represent.  Number two, this is an industry where we are not top picks to be successful in this music game or rap game.  So I want to inspire them and let them know as long as you are focused on what you do and perfecting your craft then you can do anything.  I just want to help my people and reach all people.  I don’t want to be held down as just a Latin rapper cause my music reaches out to my people and all people.

Sixshot.com:  On your MySpace blog you asked your readers if they were ready for a Latin leader in hip-hop.  Do you think the market is ready?

Rob G:  Yeah, I think it’s always been ready.  I don’t think anyone has stepped up to the forefront and took that position and ran with it.  I’m definitely ready to step up and not just on the commercial side.  I want to make real music that people can identify with and listen to for years and years to come.

Sixshot.com:  You have a song entitled, “Close your Eyes,” about a prostitute and you have some diverse subject matter.  Was that done purposely to prove that the south can talk about something of substance?

Rob G:  I wouldn’t say I did it purposely cause that’s just how I am.  I'm not a rapper.  I'm an MC.  My love for rap and hip-hop comes from the lyrical side of it and the people who can deliver a message.  So that’s what I always strive to be: a great lyricist, MC, and songwriter and with that comes diversity.  I don’t want to put myself in a corner.  I got so much to say that I'd be selling myself short if I only talked about the streets, partying, or money.  I got a lot more to say than that, so that’s what I expect from myself in any project that I do.

Sixshot.com:  What are your future hopes and plans?

Rob G:  I feel like I’m unstoppable now because of the things I accomplished before even with all that drama.  I feel now there are no excuses and it's time to go get it in the name of my family, career, and wife.  I'm here to get it now.  The inauguration 8/26..

Sixshot.com:  You’re gonna love me because…

Rob G:  I’m real.  I’m unique and I speak from the heart.  I write from the heart and what you see is what you get.  I'm not Hollywood.  I'm no different than the guy around the corner or the guy pumping gas.  The only difference between us is our jobs and I happen to rhyme for mine.  I'm an underdog, a humble dude, a real kid, and I ain't scared of nothing.  I think people are gonna love that.

For more information please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/robgonline