Rodney Ramone Hill Jr.[1] (born December 28, 1979), better known by his stage name Rocko, is an American rapper and record executive from Atlanta, Georgia. He is credited with discovering fellow Atlanta rapper Future, whom he signed his record label, A1 Recordings upon it's launch in 2010. In a joint venture with Epic Records, Future released six commercially successful albums for A1; the last of which, Hndrxx (2017) marked his final release with the label in favor of solely Epic.[2]
In 1999, Rocko began his career as a talent agent for the independent label, Triple A Records.[6] After a local rapper he discovered received a contract with Universal, he left Triple A to join the company in scouting for additional talent. He is credited for the initial discovery and signing of local musical acts Young Dro and Dem Franchise Boyz, having brokered recording contracts for both artists prior to their mainstream breakthroughs.[7] In 2003, he established his own label, Rocky Road Records, thereafter releasing his first project as a recording artist, a mixtape titled N.W.A (No Wack Artist) the same year.[1] He would release several follow-up mixtapes before signing with L.A. Reid on Def Jam Recordings in October 2006. The deal was in a unique joint venture with fellow Atlanta native, record producer Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings.[8]
His second studio album One of One was originally slated for release on Def Jam Recordings, however Rocko ultimately parted ways with the label. He subsequently rebranded his Rocky Road label to be known as A1 Recordings (often typeset as A-1 Recordings).[9] On March 1, 2010, he released the mixtape Wild Life. As a result of the positive feedback for the mixtape, Rocko re-released it as an independent album in June of that year, adding the subtitle Deez Streets a Beast.[10] The album contained guest appearances from his A1 Recordings signee Future, who performed on the tracks "9 Times Outta Ten", "Up", and "You Know".[11][12]
On February 9, 2011, Rocko released his mixtape Rocko Dinero.[13][14] In September 2011, A1 Recordings would have its first major release with Future's debut single "Tony Montana", which Rocko co-wrote. On November 24, 2011, he released the mixtape Gift of Gab, the mixtape spawned the regionally successful single "Squares Out Your Circle" (featuring Future).[15][16]
In April 2012, Future released his debut album Pluto, which Rocko executive produced and co-wrote five tracks on. The album was met with critical and commercial success, likewise with Future's subsequent releases on the A1 label. On October 25, 2012, Rocko released the mixtape Wordplay.[17][18]
On January 26, 2013, it was announced that Rocko was considering joining his old business partner L.A. Reid (who was previously an executive at Def Jam) on his new label Epic Records, as Rocko's artist Future was performing well on the label. He intimated he wasn't sure about the decision, and ultimately did not sign with the Epic.[19] Despite Rocko remaining independent, Future would continue to release his projects with Epic and remain A1's only major signee.[20]
On February 16, 2013, he released Gift of Gab 2; the mixtape spawned his second hit with the somewhat controversial single: "U.O.E.N.O." featuring Future and Rick Ross.[21][22][23] The song, produced by Childish Major, peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first top 40 hit. On February 16, 2013, it was announced that Rocko inked in a distribution deal with E1 Music for his label A1, and that his was preparing for the release of his next studio album, Seeing Is Believing effectively cancelling One of One. On March 25, 2013, Rocko hinted of a possible collaboration album between him and Future.[24] Rocko would then release the mixtape Wordplay 2 the same year.[25][26]
On February 7, 2014, Rocko released his mixtape Lingo 4 Dummys.[27] On May 29, 2014, Rocko released an extended play (EP) entitled Poet in dedication of the passing of Maya Angelou. The EP, which features a guest appearance from Nas, was originally released for free online, but later added to the iTunes Store via A1 Recordings.[28][29] On October 15, 2014, Rocko released his mixtape IGNANT.[30][31][32] On November 27, 2014, Rocko released his mixtape FOOD.[33][34][35]
On February 20, 2015, Rocko released his mixtape Expect the Unexpected.[36][37][38] On July 2, 2015, he released his mixtape Real Spill. Future would part ways with Rocko's A1 Recordings label in 2017.[39][40][41]
Controversy
U.O.E.N.O. lyrics
In a line on Rocko's song "U.O.E.N.O.", fellow rapper Rick Ross raps the line, "Put molly all in her champagne/ She ain't even know it/ I took her home and I enjoyed that/ She ain't even know it." A petition containing 72,000 signatures was presented to Reebok, demanding they drop Ross as a spokesman for the lyrics which appeared to condone date rape. Ross has apologized for the lyrics, claiming they weren't about rape.[42] He was dropped by Reebok on April 11, 2013.[43] Rocko later dropped the Rick Ross verse in order to get radio play.[44]
Lawsuit
In June 2016, Hill filed a $10 million lawsuit against his A1 Recordings artist, Future. According to Hill, Future breached his contractual obligation to release 6 albums under the label.[45] Neither artist has announced the settlement.
A1 Recordings, formerly known as Rocky Road Records, is an Atlanta-based record label formed in 2010 by Hill. On February 16, 2013, it was announced that A1 Recordings will be distributed by E1 Music.
