Jay Rock
Jay Rock | |
|---|---|
 Jay Rock performing at the House of Blues in Chicago. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Johnny Reed McKinzie, Jr. |
| Origin | Watts, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, actor, producer |
| Years active | 2006–present [1] |
| Labels | Top Dawg Entertainment, Strange Music, Interscope Records[2] |
| Website | Official website |
Johnny Reed McKinzie, Jr.[3] (born March 31, 1986), better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper. He was named one of the top 13 most street artists by XXL.[4] Rock is a member of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy along with fellow West Coast rappers and label mates Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. Rock signed to Strange Music and released his long-awaited debut studio album Follow Me Home on July 26, 2011.
Biography
1986-2007: Early life and career beginnings
Jay Rock was born and raised in Watts, Los Angeles, California in the Nickerson Gardens Projects.[5] He released several mixtapes in his neighborhood and the internet which led to his signing to Warner Bros. Records and Top Dawg Entertainment.[6] Jay attended Locke High School.
2008–2011: Follow Me Home and move to Strange Music
Rock released his debut single, "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" in late 2008, which featured artists Lil Wayne and will.i.am and was one of iTunes's Free Downloads in early 2009. He was featured on the cover of XXL's annual Top 10 Freshmen issue.[7] He was also named one of MTV's 2010 breakthrough MC's.[8] Jay Rock was featured on Omarion's single "Hoodie" and was supposed to be featured on Flo Rida's third studio album Only One Flo but was left off the final tracklisting.[9] His mixtape "From the Hood to the Cover of XXL" was released to iTunes on July 24, 2010 as was his mixtape Tales From the Hood 2 on March 28, 2010.[10][11] He toured with 50 Cent and other various artists on The Invitation Tour. Jay Rock signed with indie record label Strange Music in the Fall of 2010 on a multi-album deal after leaving from Warner Bros.[12] Jay Rock then went on tour with Tech N9ne, E-40, Glasses Malone, Kutt Calhoun and Kendrick Lamar on the "Independent Grind National Tour".[13] His mixtape Black Friday was released December 7, 2010 to iTunes.[14] His debut album Follow Me Home was released in the Summer of 2011 under Strange Music.[12][15]
2012-present
In March 2012, MTV announced that Top Dawg Entertainment, the independent record label Jay Rock is signed to, closed a joint venture deal with Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment. Under the new deal, Black Hippy cohort, Kendrick Lamar's debut studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city will be jointly released via Top Dawg/Interscope/Aftermath while releases from the rest of Black Hippy will be distributed via Top Dawg/Interscope.[2]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Follow Me Home (2011)
References
- ^ Reid, Shaheem. (2010-06-25) Jay Rock Goes From 'Hood 'Hardhead' To 'Hottest Breakthrough MCs Of 2010' Candidate – Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV. Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ a b Nadeska Alexis (March 8, 2012). "Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy Ink Deals With Interscope And Aftermath". MTV. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
- ^ Cummings, Jozen. "Jay Rock". Vibe.
- ^ September 2010 issue page #120
- ^ Jeffries, David. "Jay Rock". Billboard.
- ^ Alonso, Alex. "Rapper Jay Rock Talks About Livin The Nickerson Gardens, Watts". Streetgangs.com.
- ^ XXLmag.com – >> XXcLusive: XXL's 10 Freshmen for '10 Cover Revealed
- ^ Hottest Breakthrough MCs: Jay Rock | News Video. MTV (2010-06-24). Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ Flo Rida, David Guetta Talk 'Big' Single 'Club Can't Handle Me' – Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV (2010-06-30). Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ From Hood Tales to the Cover of XXL by Jay Rock – Download From Hood Tales to the Cover of XXL on iTunes. Itunes.apple.com (2010-07-20). Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ Tales From The Hood 2 by Jay Rock – Download Tales From The Hood 2 on iTunes. Itunes.apple.com (2010-03-28). Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ a b XXcLusive: Jay Rock Signs to Tech N9ne’s Strange Music [VIDEO. Xxlmag.Com. Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ Paine, Jake. (2010-08-10) Tech N9ne Announces Tour Dates With E-40, Glasses Malone, Kutt Calhoun | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales. HipHop DX. Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ Black Friday by Jay Rock – Download Black Friday on iTunes. Itunes.apple.com (2010-12-07). Retrieved on 2011-05-03.
- ^ Jay Rock Twitter update