Roc

Roc started DJing in 1987 having been raised on hip hop since 1979. In the early 90’s, Roc and his life long friend (Rotten Robbie) started to take music more seriously and formed a group then known as Thai & Imus. After Thai (Rotten Robbie) sold his 1965 mustang so an EPS could be purchased, they produced their first demo which was reviewed in a nationally distributed hip hop magazine, the now defunct 4080. Through all their younger years, Roc and Rotten Robbie had a knack of changing their names as well as rapping and production styles each time they formed a new group. Some of their names included The Oddcuple, Apocalypse, Crisis, X-con, DOA and DJ Bigtime & Co-T.

In 1997, after completing classes on how to run a studio, Roc branched out from just recording music and formed his own label Most High Records. In 1998, he released the Most High Recordins' EP featuring several guest rappers from the bay area, including Pep-Love, Raw Daddi and Charlie Justice. The EP even featured Roc stepping away from the turntables and laying down a one verse song. After the EP, Roc gave up being strictly a DJ and became a solo rap artist. He began writing all his own rhymes, and doing most of his own production.

In 2004, Roc’s 1st solo album called “The Paradox” *** was released. This album pared Roc with guest performances from his friends; Pep-Love of Hieroglyphics, Rotten Robbie, and Binghi Ghost. Roc chose to use many producers for the production on this album to compile a more varied overall sound. From Hala-X (from Poland), Rotten Robbie (under the name Chemlab Productions), Aki Masa, Cornerstone Productions and himself. Every track was pure fire and basically told Roc’s life story to that day in time. This album had a hit with “Sasha” (an ode to his sister who passed in 92) and his Oakland street anthem “Trip Through O.A.K.L.A.N.D” which was a favorite from some of Roc’s “street pharmacists” friends. The album wasn’t all thug, some songs showed a different side of Roc, like “Hey Girl”.

2009 has produced Roc's newest album “Its Changed” which has been shipped to stores and sent out to digital download sites (check back soon for a list). The album includes production from Dundada, Rotten Robbie, Aki Masa and Roc himself. Roc chose to feature some of his beast friends and label mates with this new classic. Look for guest appearances from Raw Daddi, Dundada, Rotten Robbie, Mr. Mar, Exqusit and Binghi Ghost. Roc approaches speaking to the streets in a different manner, he uses his own experiences to explain the dead-end roles that slanging on corners holds for its victims. Songs like “Grown” are a literal story of Roc’s life, while songs like the title track “Its changed” ask big name rappers to give back from where they came from. Roc poured his heart out on this release, pick it up and begin to think about your role in our future.

***Roc used to be named Iroc (as he was when the Paradox came out). His name was changed to avoid confusion between himself and another rapper from the greater bay area with the same name.