Jay Rock
Encyclopedia
Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr. (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
. His voice has been called a cross between Immortal Technique
and Rick Ross
. He is a part of the rap group Black Hippy which also features 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.
in the Nickerson Gardens Projects. He released mixtapes in his neighborhood and later was signed to Warner Bros.
records and Top Dawg Entertainment.
" in late 2008, which featured artists Lil Wayne
and will.i.am
and was one of iTunes's Free Downloads in early 2009. His debut album Follow Me Home
was released in the Summer of 2011 under Strange Music. He was featured on the cover of XXL
's annual Top 10 Freshmen issue. He was also named one of MTV
's 2010 breakthrough MC's. 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. 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. 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. Jay Rock then went on tour with Tech N9ne
, E-40
, Glasses Malone
, Kutt Calhoun
and Kendrick Lamar
on the "Independent Grind National Tour". His mixtape Black Friday was released December 7, 2010 to iTunes. Follow Me Home is set to be released on July 26, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
. He was named one of the top 13 most street artists by XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
. His voice has been called a cross between Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique
Felipe Andres Coronel , better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper of Afro-Peruvian descent as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics...
and Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
. He is a part of the rap group Black Hippy which also features Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar , formerly known by his stage name K. Dot, is an American rapper, and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O D. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases...
, Schoolboy Q
Schoolboy Q
Quincy Matthew Hanley , better known by his stage name ScHoolboy Q is an American recording hip hop artist. Hanley is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and is a member of Black Hippy along with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul...
and Ab-Soul. Rock signed to Strange Music
Strange Music
Strange Music is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music. It was founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999. It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution.-History:...
and released his long-awaited debut studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
Follow Me Home on July 26, 2011.
Early life and career
Jay Rock was born and raised in Watts, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWatts, Los Angeles, California
Watts is a mostly residential neighborhood in South Los Angeles, California.-History:The area now known as Watts is located on the Rancho La Tajauta Mexican land grant...
in the Nickerson Gardens Projects. He released mixtapes in his neighborhood and later was signed to Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
records and Top Dawg Entertainment.
2008–present: Follow Me Home and move to Strange Music
He released his debut single, "All My Life (In the Ghetto)All My Life (In the Ghetto)
All My Life is the first single by American West Coast rapper Jay Rock off his Follow Me Home album. The song was released under Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Cool & Dre and features Lil Wayne and will.i.am...
" in late 2008, which featured artists Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
and was one of iTunes's Free Downloads in early 2009. His debut album Follow Me Home
Follow Me Home (Jay Rock album)
Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by rapper Jay Rock, released on July 26, 2011 by Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music. The album is backed by the singles "All My Life " and "Hood Gone Love It". Guest appearances come from Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne, Rick Ross and others....
was released in the Summer of 2011 under Strange Music. He was featured on the cover of XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
's annual Top 10 Freshmen issue. He was also named one of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's 2010 breakthrough MC's. Jay Rock was featured on Omarion's single "Hoodie" and was supposed to be featured on Flo Rida
Flo Rida
Tramar Dillard , better known by his stage name Flo Rida , is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He released his debut album, Mail on Sunday, in March 2008. His debut single "Low", featuring T-Pain, was a #1 hit for ten weeks in United States in early 2008. Two other singles resulted from...
's third studio album Only One Flo but was left off the final tracklisting. 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. He toured with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
and other various artists on The Invitation Tour
The Invitation Tour
The Invitation Tour was a tour by rapper 50 Cent in support of his latest/upcoming studio albums, Before I Self Destruct, Black Magic and his fifth studio album respectively. The tour also features, G-Unit artists Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, 40 Glocc, Spider Loc, Trav and Governor...
. Jay Rock signed with indie record label Strange Music
Strange Music
Strange Music is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music. It was founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999. It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution.-History:...
in the Fall of 2010 on a multi-album deal after leaving from Warner Bros. Jay Rock then went on tour with Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
, E-40
E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
, Glasses Malone
Glasses Malone
Charles Phillipivory Penniman , better known by his stage name Glasses Malone, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Early life:Glasses Malone grew up in the Watts and Compton neighborhoods in Los Angeles County...
, Kutt Calhoun
Kutt Calhoun
Melvin Calhoun Jr., better known by his stage name Kutt Calhoun, is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. His second album, Feature Presentation, debuted at #60 on the Billboard "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart in its first week of release...
and Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar , formerly known by his stage name K. Dot, is an American rapper, and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O D. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases...
on the "Independent Grind National Tour". His mixtape Black Friday was released December 7, 2010 to iTunes. Follow Me Home is set to be released on July 26, 2011.
Discography
Studio albums- 2011: Follow Me HomeFollow Me Home (Jay Rock album)Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by rapper Jay Rock, released on July 26, 2011 by Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music. The album is backed by the singles "All My Life " and "Hood Gone Love It". Guest appearances come from Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne, Rick Ross and others....