Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruka Ogunmefun.
Ruka, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Originally from Houston, Texas (SWAT: if you know, you know), I moved to Fort Bend when I was in middle school and onwards to Denton for college. As a TWU Alumna, my undergrad career was and is the main reason why I am where I am today. Chopped and Roox originally started off as me hosting college events. Being Nigerian, I would host ASO events as well as CAB & SGA events, anything for some quick change. Being naturally funny and opinionated mixed with a blunt and abrasive personality, I had a gravitational pull that I wanted to share with the world. Chopped and Roox then stemmed into writing. I worked on short stories on Twitter that eventually went to WordPress, but I didn’t finish that. THEN, Chopped and Roox was supposed to be a podcast. While looking into studios, equipment and overall researching, I felt as though I could not do it on my own, to which came The AunTeas. The AunTeas almost took off. Making our own social media platforms and having a graphic designer make our artwork, we were ON OUR WAY. But, unfortunately, that never really panned out because we each individually had our own issues. So, with setbacks in school, not knowing what my passion was and what major I truly felt connected with, situations with family as well as myself, Chopped and Roox took to the byke burner… but now, we’re here. STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM AND NOW WE HERE. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m finna do this sh** for real. And that’s that on that.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to success ain’t ever gone be smooth. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it, you feel me? One thing about myself is that I’m very transparent about my struggles. Struggles are what roses from concrete stem from. From being arrested, losing my scholarships, being on academic probation, getting fired from my first “big girl” job and overall feeling defeated, my testimony is far from over. Not many people know what I’ve been through, and what I’m CURRENTLY going through because what I want them to know that regardless of what we all have on our plates, no matter the constant obstacles and the times where it feels like “if it ain’t one thing, it’s another”, Chopped and Roox is supposed to, even for a little bit, take them AWAY from their problems. I want Chopped and Roox to take them away from their bills, debt, stress, school, no good man, cheating woman and overall LIFE, and come CHOP IT UP with me. Chopped and Roox is here to make ya smile and open up your mind. Disagree with me, agree with me, come and CHOP (eat) with me, and overall converse with me and allow me to rock your world. Word to MJ. The journey really is told by the destination. I ain’t where I need to be yet, but the journey is telling me that I’m close to what my purpose is.
Chopped & Roox – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Chopped and Roox is an entertainment and media company within itself. YouTube, hosting, writing, and podcasting are eventually going to be the under the umbrella that is C&R. I specialize in speaking on topics I’m passionate about. Anything that catches my attention, whether controversial or superficial, is something I’m going to talk about. Being that Chopped and Roox is just coming off of the ground, I only specialize and focus on the YouTube aspect. However, I am slowly starting to collaborate with people from both Dallas and Houston that I vibe with and will definitely help add depth and reveal more within C&R. I’m hella proud of where Chopped and Roox is at right now. My subscribers are loyal and rock with me, & I rock with them and that’s all that matters. COME CHOP IT UP WITH ME.
What sets me apart from others is that I live in my truth. I’m not about to turn on a personality for the camera or internet and be someone totally different in real life. Na, that ain’t your girl. What you see, is what you get. Unless I ain’t got no makeup on. If you see me bare-faced, mind your business. But other than that, I know who I am. And I know I want to share who I am with the world. I set myself apart from others because I know who I am.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is subjective to the person, just like wealth and love. Success is knowing you’re walking in your purpose that God intended. You’re no longer on the pursuit of happiness, you found it. All of your dreams, your goals, your aspirations are being completed or have been completed. My friend said “Just because you believe in God, does not mean problems won’t occur. Weapons WILL form, they just won’t prosper.” Success is understanding that your setbacks are minimal and add seasoning to your food of life. It’s one thing to have everything in life and feel hollow. I don’t define that as a success. Why have the whole world and no one to share it with? Why have everything you want and still feel sadness? Ion thinks anyone can call that success. Success is chopping up the struggles life has dealt and making a masterpiece.
Success, personally, would be to see Chopped and Roox become similar to Bad Boy entertainment and I would be Diddy. Puff Daddy. I would have had several seasons of “Making The Beats” where people chop and screw famous country songs, I have perfume, my own clothing company with nothing but velour tracksuits, and 500 million dollars in several offshore accounts. That’s my version of success. Because what? *Kelis voice* I’m the one they love to hate. I’m the chick that raised the stakes. THAT’S RIGHT I’M THE— Sorry. I digress. But I want to live in my purpose, and I think my purpose is to share my energy, my truth, myself with the world as God intended.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbPMdtCOd3LhCdkHZVVqueQ
- Email: choppedandroox@gmail@com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rukatrue_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/choppedandroox/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/rukatrue_
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