Tru Life
| Tru Life | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roberto Guzmán Rosado, Jr. |
| Born | March 19, 1976 |
| Origin | Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 1999-2009 |
| Labels | Roc-A-Fella Records |
| Associated acts | Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, Neo Da Matrix, Saigon, Bizzy Bone |
Roberto Guzmán Rosado, Jr.[1] (born March 19, 1976),[2] better known by his stage name Tru Life, is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent from New York City. He was signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. His latest release is a mixtape called Tru York, hosted by J-Love. He is part of a loose collective of rappers from New York known as Ghetto Inmates.
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[edit] Career
Tru Life's career started in 1999 after being signed to Dreamworks Records. His album, Cryin' Out Loud, was scheduled to drop in November 2001. In an interview, Tru Life says "They weren't ready to do black music", and "there were too many bumps in the road, and I couldn't move."
Tru Life eventually landed an audition with Jay-Z. After more than ten minutes, Tru Life was able to convince Jay-Z, which prompted him to reply "Somebody, get this kid in front of a camera!". He was signed to a six-figure record deal later that evening.[3]
Tru Life had a feud with Mobb Deep that was documented in the film Beef.[4] He also has a 'beef' with Dipset, in which Tru Life depicted Dipset's Jim Jones wearing a Borat-style mankini; Jones' affiliates retaliating by hacking Tru Life's MySpace page and putting up a similar picture of Tru Life.[5][6]
[edit] June 2009 stabbings
On June 15, 2009, Jason Gray, 30, and Christopher Guerrero, 20, were stabbed in a lobby on E. 26th Street in Manhattan. Roberto Rosado, Jr. and his brother Marcus chased and stabbed Guerrero in the stomach and Gray in the chest. Guerrero died of his wounds and Gray was critically injured. The stabbings were said to have stemmed from a dispute at Club Pacha on W. 46th Street.[1] The brothers were subsequently arrested and charged of murder. Rosado, Jr. was additionally charged on assault and weapons possession.[1]
On February 23, 2011, Rosado, Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree gang assault and Marcus Rosado, who confessed that he stabbed both of the victims, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter.[7] Rosado, Jr. was sentenced to eight years in prison.[8] He started to serve his sentence in Downstate Correctional Facility on March 22. He is now currently housed at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York.[2] His parole hearing is in February 2016.[9]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 2001: Cryin' Out Loud
- 2004: Ghetto Inmates (shelved)
[edit] Mixtapes
- 2005: The New New York: The Movement
- 2007: Tru York
[edit] Singles
- "When You're a Thug" featuring Prodigy & Kool G Rap
- "I Can't Believe" featuring Swizz Beatz
- "Tears" featuring Bobby Valentino
- "Watch Me Fall" featuring Snoop Dogg
- "I Don't Need Love" Featuring Keri Hilson
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Gendar, Alison (June 25, 2009). "Tru Life, a rapper once signed by Jay-Z, arrested for fatally stabbing a teen". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/06/25/2009-06-25_tru_life_a_rapper_once_signed_by_jayz_arrested_for_fatally_stabbing_a_teen.html. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ^ a b "Inmate Details - Robert Rosado". New York City Department of Correction. http://a072-web.nyc.gov/inmatelookup/inmateDetailAction.do?bookcasenumber=3490910135. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ Ogunnaike, Lola (2005) "Jay-Z, From Superstar to Suit ", New York Times, August 28, 2005
- ^ "Rapper Tru Life Lands Deal With Roc La Familia", Worldwideconnected.com
- ^ Sunday, Billy (2007) "Tru Life Lost", XXL Magazine
- ^ "Now, New York Rappers Beef Via Photoshop", New York Magazine, 2007
- ^ Grace, Melissa (February 24, 2011). "Jay-Z protege Tru Life faces eight years in prison for role in gang slay". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/02/24/2011-02-24_jayz_proteacutegeacute_faces_8_yrs_for_role_in_gang_slay.html. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ^ Gissen, Jesse (February 23, 2011). "Tru Life Sentenced to Eight Years". XXL. http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/02/tru-life-sentenced-to-8-years/. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ^ "Inmate Population Information Search". New York Department of Correctional Services (DIN: 11A1297). http://nysdocslookup.docs.state.ny.us/. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
[edit] External links
- Tru Life on Myspace
- Tru Life at the Internet Movie Database
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