Brandon C. Rodegeb, better known as B-12 (born on October 9, 1977) is a music executive, film maker and rap artist. Brandon was born in San Francisco, CA at San Francisco General Hospital and raised in the public housing projects between Palou and Oakdale Avenue in the Hunter's Point District of San Francisco, California. Living in an area rich in cultural and hip-hop history gave Brandon access to hip-hop music and the streets at an early age. The youngest son of a single mother with two brothers (one murdered in 1994) and a sister, B-12 was interested in music when very young.
Growing up around such rap legends as Too Short, 11/5, RBL Posse, and others, B-12 was able to get into music early. Success followed, although not immediately, and after his family moved to the nearby suburb of Vallejo, California in 1991; B-12 broke into rap music shortly thereafter.
After run ins with the law and spending time in various youth facilities, B-12 eventually changed his act and quickly moved up the ranks from street promoter to record producer to rap artist to full-blown music executive. Having worked with everyone from N2Deep to Ginuwine to Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. to MC Eiht, B-12 has proved himself a staple in the independent music business.
In 2001 B-12, Fidel Castro & Say-So formed the group Riderlife and released the album Neva Look Back. The album featured several west coast artists including: MC Eiht, Celly Cel, Taydatay, 11/5, Young Droop, San Quinn, Luni Coleone, M.O.G., Jay Tee, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Skee 64, Young Dru, Da' Unda' Dogg and also Eightball, who is from Memphis, Tennessee.
In 2002 B-12, Jay Tee & Young Dru formed the group Free Agents and released the album Negotiations on 40 Ounce Records. The project is described as "a loosely knit group of "rap comrades" who came together to make a statement about independence and ownership in a turbulent time in the music industry." The album was advertised as having "No Features, No Fillers."[1] Which can be seen as a departure of the norm by avoiding an album cluttered with guest appearances and over-priced producers.[2]
B-12 no longer represents a wide array of artists choosing to focus his energy on films, and his artist, West Coast young gun A-Wax.
Contents |
| Year | Artist | Album | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Mob Figaz Ridah Presents | D Boyz Compilation | "Ball 'Till I Fall" |
| 40 Ounce Records Presents | Playas Association Vol. 3 - The Product | "As I Glance Back" | |
| 2002 | Jay Tee | High Caliber | "Bounce Bounce" (featuring Don Cisco & Miami The Most) |
| Various Artists | Playas Association Vol. IV - Northwest Hustlin | "Three the Hard Way" (featuring Dutch & Young Dru) | |
| 2003 | Jay Tee & B-12 Present | Bayriderz, Vol. 3: Kalifornia: State of Emergency | "Mashin' Out" (featuring Mac Dre & Jay Tee) |
| "I'm a Boss" (featuring Free Agents, Big Mack, Taydatay) | |||
| "Fuck All Yall" (featuring Dutch, Mr. Kee & Jay Tee) | |||
| "U Might Be" (featuring Riderlife & Young Dru) | |||
| 2005 | Luni Coleone | How the West Was Won, Vol. 2 | "Problem With That" (featuring I-Rocc & Smigg Dirtee) |
| Various Artists | On One: The 40 Ounce Album & Mixtape CD | "Outside the Club" (featuring Jay Tee) | |
| "Still Broke (Remix)" (featuring Chilee Powdah) | |||
| "How We Roll" (featuring I-Rocc) | |||
| "My Glock" |