Rocko
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- Genres: Rap
Biography
Atlanta Dirty South rapper Rocko's music career always had been a side note to his romantic relationship with R&B singer Monica until he signed with Def Jam in 2007. Born Rodney Hill, Rocko started in the music industry as a producer and ghostwriter in his cousin's studio around 1999, then afterwards for small indie Triple A Records. Based on his success with label act Hitman Sammy Sam, he decided to venture out on his own, establishing Rocky Road Records in 2002. Under the imprint, he had a hand in developing artists like Young Dro and Dem Franchize Boyz before they graduated up to the majors. In 2003, Rocko tried penning rhymes for himself and released his first mixtape, NWA (No Wack Artist). However, the attention-grabber was his second mixtape Swag Season (2007), which boasted features from 2006 breakout rap stars Jim Jones and Rick Ross and sold all over Georgia and in neighboring states. After a front-page feature in Southern rap magazine Ozone, Island Def Jam signed Rocko and his imprint for an exclusive deal, which was helped along by an acquaintance of his (through Monica), IDJ urban division president Jermaine Dupri. Taken from Swag Season, the semi-successful "Umma Do Me" became the lead single for his major-label debut, Self-Made (2008). ~ Cyril Cordor, RoviWikipedia on Answers.com:
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Rocko (rapper)
| Rocko | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rodney Ramone Hill, Jr. |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | A1 Recordings |
| Website | Island website |
Rodney Hill,[1] better known by his stage name Rocko, is an American rapper.
Rocko released his first studio album, Self Made, on March 18, 2008.[2] The album peaked at number twenty-one on Billboard 200, number six on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums und number four on Top Rap Albums.[3] It spawned the single "Umma Do Me", which peaked at number sixty-six on Billboard Hot 100.[4]
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Contents
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Music career
Music Beginnings
Rocko started his career as a ghostwriter and producer somewhen around 1999. In 2002, he established his own label Rocky Road Records and began working with artists like Young Dro and Dem Franchize Boyz.[1] He released several mixtapes before being signed by Def Jam Records in October 2006.[5]
2007-09: Self Made
He released his first studio album, Self Made on March 18, 2008. It featured production from Drumma Boy, Cool & Dre, The Runners and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and contributions came from guest artists Lloyd, Dre, Kevin Cossom as well as Monica. The album spawned the single "Umma Do Me, his first song that had managed to get on the Billboard Hot 100.[4]
2010-present: One of One
His second studio album One of One was originally supposed to be released on Def Jam but never did after parting ways wit Def Jam Looking for better label situations & forming his newly founded label A-1 Recordings.[6] His recent mixtapes are Rocko Dinero, Swagga Session, Gift of Gab & Wild Life. His upcoming mixtape to be hosted by DJ Drama is entitled Seeing is Believing.[7]
Other Ventures
A1 Recordings
| A1 Recordings | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Rocko (CEO) |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | Independent |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
A1 Recordings, formerly known as Rocky Road Records, is an Atlanta, Georgia-based record label formed in 2010 by Hill. It is currently running independently.
- Releases
- Self Made
- Artist: Rocko
- Label: Rocky Road/So So Def/Def Jam Records
- Release Date: March 18, 2008
- Format: CD, digital download
- Wildlife
- Artist: Rocko as Rocko da Don
- Label: A1 Recordings
- Release Date: June 22, 2010
- Format: CD, digital download
- Pluto
- Artist: Future
- Label: A1 Recordings/Free Bandz/Epic Records
- Release Date: April 17, 2012
- Format: CD, digital download, LP
- One Of One
- Artist: Rocko
- Label: A1 Recordings/TBA
- Release Date: TBA, 2012
- Format: CD, digital download, LP
Personal life
Family
Hill has a son Ramone Malik Hill from a prior relationship.
Relationships
Hill and R&B singer Monica have two children together Rodney Ramone (born May 21, 2005) and Romelo Montez Hill (born January 8, 2008). In October 2009, it was announced that Arnold & Hill separated surrounding rumors Hill cheated on Arnold. They officially parted on March 11, 2010.
Legal issues
In January 2009, Rocko was sentenced to 48 hours jail for an altercation with a woman back in 2007.[8]
Discography
Main article: Rocko discography
- Studio albums
- 2008: Self Made
- 2012: One of One
- Independent albums
- 2010: Wildlife
Filmography
Television
Monica: Still Standing - (Guest stars as Himself)
References
- ^ a b "Rocko - Music Videos, Songs, News, Photos and Lyrics". MTV.com. http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rocko/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
- ^ "Self-Made: Rocko". at Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Self-Made-Rocko/dp/B0013LL04A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324305451&sr=8-1. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
- ^ "Self-Made - Rocko". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/#/album/rocko/self-made/1110451. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
- ^ a b "Rocko Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. March 15, 2008. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/rocko/chart-history/382431. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
- ^ "Show & Prove: Rocko". XXLMag.com. February 29, 2008. http://www.xxlmag.com/old-xxl-magazine/old-show-prove/2008/02/show-prove-rocko/. Retrieved Decembeer 19, 2011.
- ^ http://allhiphop.com/2010/09/30/rocko-parts-ways-with-def-jam-launches-a1-recordings/
- ^ http://www.mixfeed.info/2012/03/rocko-seeing-is-believing.html
- ^ Winslow, Mike (26 January 2009). "'Umma Do Me' Rapper Rocko Sentenced to Jail". Allhiphop.com. http://allhiphop.com/2009/01/26/umma-do-me-rapper-rocko-sentenced-to-jail/. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
External links
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Copyrights:
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists
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