Tru-Life
Encyclopedia
Roberto Guzmán Rosado, Jr. (born March 19, 1976), 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.
. 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.
Tru Life had a feud with Mobb Deep
that was documented in the film Beef
. 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.
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. Rosado, Jr. was sentenced to eight years in prison. 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. His parole hearing is in February 2016.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Tru Life, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper of Puerto Rican descent from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was signed to Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
's Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
. 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
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
known as Ghetto Inmates.
Career
Tru Life's career started in 1999 after being signed to Dreamworks RecordsDreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
. 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.
Tru Life had a feud with Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
that was documented in the film Beef
Beef (documentary)
Beef is a 2003 film that documents the history of hip-hop feuds. The film's producers were Casey Suchan and Denis Henry Hennelly and the executive producer was Quincy Jones III...
. He also has a 'beef' with Dipset, in which Tru Life depicted Dipset's Jim Jones wearing a Borat
Borat
Borat Sagdiyev is a satirical fictional character invented and performed by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen...
-style mankini; Jones' affiliates retaliating by hacking Tru Life's MySpace page and putting up a similar picture of Tru Life.
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 Pasha on W. 46th Street. The brothers were subsequently arrested and charged of murder. Rosado, Jr. was additionally charged on assault and weapons possession.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. Rosado, Jr. was sentenced to eight years in prison. He started to serve his sentence in Downstate Correctional Facility
Downstate Correctional Facility
Downstate Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison in the Hudson Valley region of New York.Downstate is a maximum-security prison located along the north side of Interstate 84 in Fishkill, New York. Downstate serves primarily as a classification center, as it the first stop for all new...
on March 22. He is now currently housed at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York. His parole hearing is in February 2016.
Singles
- "When You're a Thug" featuring ProdigyProdigy (rapper)Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep....
& Kool G RapKool G RapNathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew... - "I Can't Believe" featuring Swizz BeatzSwizz BeatzKasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
- "Tears" featuring Bobby Valentino
- "Watch Me Fall" featuring Snoop DoggSnoop DoggCalvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
- "I Don't Need Love" Featuring Keri HilsonKeri HilsonKeri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Hilson began her music career as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production and songwriting team, The Clutch...