Rome Streetz is in a good mood. Fresh out of the gym, the rapper, known for his intense delivery, is particularly chipper during our video call and apologizes for his slight tardiness.
However, the endorphins and adrenaline from his workout session aren’t the only things that have the rapper upbeat. The New York Knicks, Rome’s hometown team, have made their first trip to the NBA Finals in 27 years, ending a decades-long championship drought while instilling a renewed sense of pride among New Yorkers.
“It’s lit. It’s amazing,” Rome tells VIBE of the euphoria engulfing the five boroughs in light of the Knicks’ historic run. “It’s a great look for New York. We need that. There’s a lot of New York pride going on. Everybody’s got New York on their chest. The city feels beautiful. The weather’s nice, and everybody’s happy. There are a lot of niggas in their 20s who haven’t even seen the Knicks win. They weren’t even alive for that. It’s a big win for the city. Put some respect on the Knicks’ name. I appreciate what they’re doing for the town.”
The 39-year-old artist is also excited about his first VIBE interview, unabashedly identifying himself as an early reader of the publication. “I love VIBE magazine,” he says. “I’ve been reading that shit since I was a kid.
