The R.O.C.
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The R.O.C. (real name: Brian Jones) is a rapper from Detroit, MI. His name stands for "Raps On Contact." He started out as a music producer and rapper, and was recording a demo when he got his first bit of exposure on the "Big Father Hi-Top & The R.O.C. - Rollin' With Strength" release in 1992. The album really didn't catch on at all, and at this point in time is very hard to come by. The R.O.C. went back to producing his music, until two other former members of the Krazy Klan, Big J and EXP (now known as Jamie Madrox and Monoxide, both of Twiztid) asked him to help on their upcoming album. The three hit it off, and collectively became known as the House of Krazees. HOK gained many fans over their 4 year tenure, and both R.O.C. and Mr. Bones released solo albums. HOK eventually developed a cult-like following until their breakup in 1996.
Following this, the R.O.C. recruited some new Detroit rappers and formed the group "The Howse". The released one album, "Esohpromatem", in 1997. The group disbanded shortly thereafter. He then decided to continue with the House of Krazees name, so he changed his name to Sol and brought in another new member, Skrapz. They released one album under the HOK name, "The Night They Kame Home", in 1998. Problems with the label forced them to leave.
Sol and Skrapz stayed together and renamed themselves Halfbreed. They formed their own record label, Virus Independent, and climbed to the top of the horrorcore rap genre. They released four albums, including the 2000 classic "KontamiNATION".
Along the way, R.O.C. released another solo. His album, Wormholes, was released under the name Sol46, and was a drastic departure from the horror rap he had become known for. It is considered by many to be his greatest work.
Halfbreed failed to exist in 2002, after the release of their final album, "The End". Virus Independent also faded away. In its place was a new group, the "Level Jumpers", consisting of Sol, Skrapz, and fellow rapper F.R.EEZE. They made what was called 'purified hip-hop'. Many fans were offended that the greatest horrorcore rappers gave up what brought them to the table, and the group struggled at first. Their first album, "Simply Complx", was released to lackluster reviews but has since grown in popularity. Their second album, "The Red Pyramid", contains mostly songs recorded before Simply Complx and yet is still very respected. Around summer 2004, the R.O.C. seemingly struck out on his own by leaving Level Jumpers.
Twiztid had approached R.O.C. about working together, and eventually they reunited. Since this time, R.O.C. has been working closely with Psychopathic Records. There've been numerous rumors that he had signed to the label, but as of now this has not happened. Nonetheless, he has released a few albums since being on his own. His first, "Bits & Pieces", features many mid-90s tracks that had not been released as well as a few from 2003. His next record, "I'm Here", was a four track EP released to hype up his upcoming solo LP. That LP, "Oh Hell No", was released in 2006 to rave reviews. He and Twiztid have reformed the HOK, under the name "Samhein Witch Killaz", and their re-debut album is due out on Halloween 2007.
Over the years, the R.O.C. has produced music for many groups, including Dark Lotus, Hysteria, Bedlam, Krazy Klan, Native Funk, Lavel, 2 Krazie Devils, Reformed Illuzionz, and Son of Sam.
[edit] Discography
- 1992: Big Father Hi-Top & The R.O.C. "Rollin' With Strength" EP
- 1993: House of Krazees "Home Sweet Home" LP
- 1994: House of Krazees "Home Bound" LP
- 1995: House of Krazees "Season of the Pumpkin" LP
- 1995: House of Krazees "Outbreed" LP
- 1996: The R.O.C. "X-Posed" LP
- 1996: House of Krazees "Head Trauma" LP
- 1997: The Howse "Esohpromatem
- 1998: House of Krazees (Sol & Skrapz) "The Night They Kame Home" LP
- 1999: Halfbreed "Serial Killaz"
- 2000: Halfbreed "KontamiNATION"
- 2001: Halfbreed "Rage of the Plague" EP
- 2001: Level Jumpers "Simply Complx" LP
- 2002: Level Jumpers "Red Pyramid" LP
- 2002: Sol46 "Wormholes" EP
- 2002: Halfbreed "The End" LP
- 2004: The R.O.C. "Bits & Pieces, Vol. 1"
- 2005: The R.O.C. "I'm Here" EP
- 2006: The R.O.C. "Oh Hell No" LP
