MGK's Drummer Johnny "Rook" Cappelletty Didn't Limit Himself To 1 Genre

When you’re a rockstar rapper such as Machine Gun Kelly, you surround yourself with the appropriate talent and energy to ensure that your stage show is the closest thing to spectacular.

Johnny “Rook” Cappelletty was the spectacular MGK was looking for and knowing that the Cleveland native has an affinity for homegrown Ohio talent, he was more than willing to go through ridiculous hazing processes to prove he belonged.

In his new SoundDriven interview with Samson, the funky drummy with the chess piece tatted on his neck breaks down his ultimate hustle.

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“What was driving me throughout the whole [initiation process] is…like I said, ‘I’m in love with the drums’ I’ve never ever had a day where I thought ‘maybe drums weren’t going to work out’ — I didn’t give myself that option,” Cappelletty admits.

“Once I got that opportunity…I’m from Toledo, OH; it’s a small city; there’s not nothing going on there; people don’t get opportunities like that where I’m from. So it was on me like, ‘this is it.'”

Growing up knowing he wanted to be nothing more than a rockstar (much to all his educator’s chagrin), Rook still had the gall to understand that his drumming skills could be utilized by a number of music genres — including Hip Hop – so he didn’t limit himself just in case an opportunity came knocking.

“I tried not to stick on one type of music because as time went on, I was like ‘If I want to make this a career and do something with it, it might not be just a rock or rap band that wants you,” he said. “I wanted to be ready for any opportunities that would be able to come.”

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Which means even dropping everything (including school) when you get the chance to fulfill your dream. Although such drastic measures are highly frowned up, Rook is living proof that perseverance is one of the few entries through the locked door.

Follow him and Samson on Twitter @rook419 and @samsontech.