I think birth names come from slavery....maybe just my opinion...but I think all of humanity have at some point been slaves....except maybe 13 family's who have sex with each other???
I like to consider myself unique for having two middle names (David Josiah). But the journey you went on to decide on your name (A Rocker / Sekker) is one of the most interesting stories about a name change I have heard.
Yes Cascious Clay to Muhammad Ali is also a great story, but does not have the same depth if I were to be completely honest.
I've listened to some of your more recent music and tried to tell my Dad that I had been in contact with a really cool Canadian DJ. (Being old school he assumed you simply picked out what songs to play on the radio).
DJ'ing is a skill that especially effects what's going on behind the lyrics. A DJ like DJ Mustard brings his trademark "plinking keyboards, slower BPM, repetitious handclaps" to DJ Khaled with his infamous "Anothuhh One."
But club DJ's have skills that are unique to them. I listen to your music to get in a creative writing spirit and since this was more about your name and less about your music I'd like to share a link for those to enjoy your unique sound. Rok-Sivante Music
Even though hip hop moguls like Russell Simmons, Puff Daddy and Pharrell Williams are extremely wealthy, I find it funny that so many people have no idea who Russel Simmons is.
But thanks for sharing your name changing journey from :
Graham Jeremy Ewanchuk To Rok Sivante
It was nice to not only see your progression in names, but also how your life changed along with it and led you to some incredible stories & experiences.
In a way, that's partly why I identified with / related more to Simmons - working more behind the scenes. He & Rubin were visionaries in fuelling the popularization of an entire culture.
I respect Diddy's hustle and drive for impact - though would never want to be a star like that myself. Though even Simmons is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum as a Dealmaker, where I'm a Mechanic...
Gotta keep reading through wealth dynamics. Rick Rubin is so famous in the hip hop world, but again even less well known than Simmons. I love reading up on rap/hip-hop history. I've been to my share of mainstream artists, but had the pleasure of meeting a few underground and not as commercial gritty artists.
DMX Giving Me A Subtle Middle Finger
Tech N9ne - One Of The Most Successful and Talented Independent Rap Artists Ever
Who would ever guess Rick Rubin to look like this?
His baby mama drama led him to be imprisoned in new york near me and this was the day he got out at a sneaker store in the mall. He owed about $500K in child support, but I can't help but love DMX and his bark and gritty badassery, his personal conduct is a different story, but one that is often repeated in the rap game.
@rok-sivante
Hello, Rok. This is becoming very interesting.
Firstly, congratulations on your decision to change the name. It was a pivotal point in your life as it should be.
Now for the interesting stuff from my personal point of view:
When I first saw your name I thought that you are from Slovenia. Why? Because you have a Slovenian name. I know many Roks. There are three of them currently at my office :)
The title of your post. OK, it is a common phrase but ... Check out my latest post -> A Tale Of Two Monitors . Of course, it is nearly not as interesting as yours.
I've changed my surname 6 years ago. I asked for an advice of an established numerology expert. He suggested that I keep my name and change the surname to Kramel. It was a change of one letter but a huge difference according to the Chaldean system. I didn't like his suggestion. And then it dawned on me -> reverse it, man. It came out Lemark. Similar to your situation.
Maybe I should write a post about it :)
Anyways, the change came out great for you. My change of the name didn't have such a drastic effect but the life did change and went into some interesting directions. Mostly up and some of them sideways.
Rok, thanks for listening to me. And thank you very much to everybody who will read this longish comment.
Cool to hear another perspective from someone who's changed theirs - and the spelling reversal similarity quite interesting. Lemark is cool.
I've also heard Rok is pretty common in Romania, and maybe even Croatia - so I guess native to that region.
Similarly, I can't attest the change to having any radical effects - but then again, perhaps so - just subtly and not seemingly striking over the course of time. Nonetheless, it's undoubtedly been a significant transformative influence...
What a journey to go through...you are wise, and the new name is fitting. Very cool, and glad you decided to share in your enticing writing style. It definitely took courage to change your name and share that with the world. Hope this post treats you well!
Thanks mate. Definitely avery private matter, so did take some releasing of ego to put it out there. But a great freedom that comes in committing to such transparency.
I forgot to throw in it was actually "DJ Pugjee" to start with. Lol.
A silly high school thing with a couple good buddies - "pugjee" derived from the slang "phat."
Seems pretty ridiculous in hindsight.
But then again, "da abowlishunist" was simply too complex. And "G-Rocka" had its time, but the catepillar needed to decade for the butterfly to emerge... :-)
Your welcome. I wouldn't have guessed it to be "enlightening," though I suppose it's easy to underestimate the power of breaking out a comfort zone to really be authentic... :-)
Finally I found time to read this awesome, so private story. In Austria it would be legally impossible to change our names. I always disliked mine and the moment I came to Bali it was time to do it . Let's say , I just got my Balinese name after a nice cleansing ceremony first and my new name Silvie ( from Silvia to Silvie ) Iluh ( High Kastar 3rd born ) Cempaka ( Flower ) was born after I was introduced to the gods & goddesses .
Bye Bye my family name ! Feels about right . I like my new name and also like your new name :)
Birth names are a ridiculous tradition. People should choose names based on how life defines them .
I think birth names come from slavery....maybe just my opinion...but I think all of humanity have at some point been slaves....except maybe 13 family's who have sex with each other???
I like to consider myself unique for having two middle names (David Josiah). But the journey you went on to decide on your name (A Rocker / Sekker) is one of the most interesting stories about a name change I have heard.
Yes Cascious Clay to Muhammad Ali is also a great story, but does not have the same depth if I were to be completely honest.
I've listened to some of your more recent music and tried to tell my Dad that I had been in contact with a really cool Canadian DJ. (Being old school he assumed you simply picked out what songs to play on the radio).
DJ'ing is a skill that especially effects what's going on behind the lyrics. A DJ like DJ Mustard brings his trademark "plinking keyboards, slower BPM, repetitious handclaps" to DJ Khaled with his infamous "Anothuhh One."
But club DJ's have skills that are unique to them. I listen to your music to get in a creative writing spirit and since this was more about your name and less about your music I'd like to share a link for those to enjoy your unique sound. Rok-Sivante Music
Even though hip hop moguls like Russell Simmons, Puff Daddy and Pharrell Williams are extremely wealthy, I find it funny that so many people have no idea who Russel Simmons is.
It was nice to not only see your progression in names, but also how your life changed along with it and led you to some incredible stories & experiences.
In a way, that's partly why I identified with / related more to Simmons - working more behind the scenes. He & Rubin were visionaries in fuelling the popularization of an entire culture.
I respect Diddy's hustle and drive for impact - though would never want to be a star like that myself. Though even Simmons is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum as a Dealmaker, where I'm a Mechanic...
Gotta keep reading through wealth dynamics. Rick Rubin is so famous in the hip hop world, but again even less well known than Simmons. I love reading up on rap/hip-hop history. I've been to my share of mainstream artists, but had the pleasure of meeting a few underground and not as commercial gritty artists.
Who would ever guess Rick Rubin to look like this?
Lol! Dude, that shot of you with DMX giving you the finger is GOLD!! 😅
His baby mama drama led him to be imprisoned in new york near me and this was the day he got out at a sneaker store in the mall. He owed about $500K in child support, but I can't help but love DMX and his bark and gritty badassery, his personal conduct is a different story, but one that is often repeated in the rap game.
@rok-sivante
Hello, Rok. This is becoming very interesting.
Firstly, congratulations on your decision to change the name. It was a pivotal point in your life as it should be.
Now for the interesting stuff from my personal point of view:
Maybe I should write a post about it :)
Anyways, the change came out great for you. My change of the name didn't have such a drastic effect but the life did change and went into some interesting directions. Mostly up and some of them sideways.
Rok, thanks for listening to me. And thank you very much to everybody who will read this longish comment.
Better and better.
Thanks for the great reply.
Cool to hear another perspective from someone who's changed theirs - and the spelling reversal similarity quite interesting. Lemark is cool.
I've also heard Rok is pretty common in Romania, and maybe even Croatia - so I guess native to that region.
Similarly, I can't attest the change to having any radical effects - but then again, perhaps so - just subtly and not seemingly striking over the course of time. Nonetheless, it's undoubtedly been a significant transformative influence...
What a journey to go through...you are wise, and the new name is fitting. Very cool, and glad you decided to share in your enticing writing style. It definitely took courage to change your name and share that with the world. Hope this post treats you well!
Thanks mate. Definitely avery private matter, so did take some releasing of ego to put it out there. But a great freedom that comes in committing to such transparency.
Your feedback is appreciated.
It has a very exotic ring to it, Mr. Sivante :D
Btw.. "Da Abowlishunist" to DJ G-Rocka ... that's escalated pretty quickly lol!
Lol.
I forgot to throw in it was actually "DJ Pugjee" to start with. Lol.
A silly high school thing with a couple good buddies - "pugjee" derived from the slang "phat."
Seems pretty ridiculous in hindsight.
But then again, "da abowlishunist" was simply too complex. And "G-Rocka" had its time, but the catepillar needed to decade for the butterfly to emerge... :-)
Terrific! Thank you for enlightening us and sharing something so personal.
Your welcome. I wouldn't have guessed it to be "enlightening," though I suppose it's easy to underestimate the power of breaking out a comfort zone to really be authentic... :-)
Blessings of light to you brother
Finally I found time to read this awesome, so private story. In Austria it would be legally impossible to change our names. I always disliked mine and the moment I came to Bali it was time to do it . Let's say , I just got my Balinese name after a nice cleansing ceremony first and my new name Silvie ( from Silvia to Silvie ) Iluh ( High Kastar 3rd born ) Cempaka ( Flower ) was born after I was introduced to the gods & goddesses .
Bye Bye my family name ! Feels about right . I like my new name and also like your new name :)
Not only is this incredibly clever, but you also have a moving backstory. Props for enduring and becoming a better version of yourself.
'Tis a continual journey of upgrading each day... ;-)