Meet Q's latest star; film and music's Rogelio Douglas Jr.

A FORMER RESIDENT performer at Herb Alpert's Vibrato Jazz Club in Los Angeles, Rogelio Douglas Jr. is an actual "triple threat". Not only a singer/songwriter, the artist is also an actor and dancer. When not making live musical appearances or working on TV shows such as Dancing With The Stars or on films including Whiplash, Rogelio can be found in the studio writing music. Recently, his tunes were featured on HBO's Silicon Valley and Fox's Empire. On the big screen, Rogelio can be seen in Superfast! and Straight Outta Compton, while TV credits include NBC's Chicago P.D., Orange is the New Black and Ray Donovan. Rogelio is currently seeing out his two month set at Palazzo Versace's intimate New York style bar with a New Orleans culinary culture, Q's - Quincy Jones' pad in Dubai.
How does it feel to have your own residency in Dubai?
I'm extremely excited and it feels amazing! The Palazzo Versace is absolutely amazing: the architecture, the restaurants and the staff. I haven't seen much in Dubai yet but I did get to see The Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi. It was magnificent. I spent four hours there and I still didn't get to see everything!
What can people expect from your shows?
To have a great time. My show encompasses the music that influenced me to be an artist. It's a journey thru RnB, soul, rock, salsa and pop. Search the web and you can find me performing Witness featuring King Thurz and I Got Time For You with Estonian EDM boy band, Lemon Fight.
You're known for starring in A-List movies and TV shows, how does that side of the business compare to live shows? What do you remember from your time on Whiplash and Straight Outta Compton in particular?
It's a completely different atmosphere to live shows. There is a script, director, many cameras and crew members that create the world that you will experience. Live shows are never the same. The magic you experience that night will be unique and never repeated. On Whiplash I was very green. It was my first feature. I remember just trying to soak up everything and learn as much as possible. I loved getting to see J.K. Simmons work. His approach was stellar. I was extremely fortunate to be there, as it were as if I was paid to attend a master class. Straight Outta Compton was a cool experience. It was a one-day shoot for me, but I was honored and happy to land a role in the movie. I got to meet Ice Cube and my scene was in the studio with his son O'Shea Jackson Jr. who literally crushed every take! I also became friends with UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley who also worked on the film and I'm grateful for his support for my music career til this day.
Who do you enjoy listening to and why?
I enjoy listening to Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Sting, Jay Z, Kings Of Leon, Imagine Dragons, John Coltrane, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Travis Greene and Leon Bridges. Their music and lyrics take you on a journey, that teaches, uplifts and makes you feel like you're not alone in this life and we're all going through the same human social constructs.
What is your ultimate career ambition?
It has always been to do it all...singing, songwriting, dancing, acting, producing and directing. I would love to have a multimedia production company where I can produce original projects, cultivate and employ some of the greatest talents I've been lucky to cross paths with.
Do you think the music industry is ahead of the curve in terms of supporting diversity as opposed to the film industry, for example? Has your talent always been encouraged?
I think we are in interesting times in the entertainment industry with the new technology and applications you can use to get music out there in many ways. There isn't one way to do it anymore and some decide to take it straight to the people as opposed to needing a major label's resources. Also music is starting to become genre-less because everyone is starting to combine all of their influences. My talent wasn't always encouraged. I used to be told I could only pick one discipline: acting, singing, dancing, or playing music, but, though I understand the importance of mastering one art form, I've always wanted to do it all.
How do you like to relax or what would be your ideal night out?
I love spa treatments and acupuncture to relax. I don't get to go out. I'm usually performing. But I love to dance, so salsa clubs, house dance clubs and hip-hop would be on the shortlist.
david@khaleejtimes.com