Jay Rock
Biography
Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr., better known as Jay Rock, was born on March 31, 1985, in the Nickerson Gardens projects in Watts, Los Angeles, California. Growing up in a challenging environment, he became a member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang and attended Locke High School. His interest in music began at a young age, influenced by the vibrant party scene his mother created and the gangster rap that was prevalent in his neighborhood. In 2005, his distinct voice and lyrical talent caught the attention of Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, the CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), who promptly signed him to the label.
Career Beginnings and TDE
As the first artist signed to TDE, Jay Rock played a pivotal role in the label's foundation. After signing with TDE, he released a series of mixtapes that gained traction locally and online. This early buzz led to a joint venture deal with Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records in 2007. His 2008 debut single, "All My Life (In the Ghetto)," featured Lil Wayne and will.i.am. However, due to issues with the labels, the album was delayed, and he eventually parted ways with Warner Bros. and Asylum. In 2010, he was recognized as part of XXL Magazine's "Top 10 Freshmen" class.
Black Hippy
In 2008, Jay Rock, along with his TDE labelmates Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul, formed the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy. While the group never released a formal studio album, they frequently collaborated on each other's solo projects, creating a significant impact on the West Coast hip hop scene. All four members were eventually featured on the cover of XXL's "Top 10 Freshmen" issue in different years.
Studio Albums and Notable Success
After signing a new deal with Strange Music in 2010, Jay Rock released his long-awaited debut album, "Follow Me Home," on July 26, 2011. The album featured the popular single "Hood Gone Love It" with Kendrick Lamar. He left Strange Music in 2014 and remained solely with TDE.
90059
His second studio album, "90059," was released on September 11, 2015. The album featured collaborations with his Black Hippy cohorts, including the track "Vice City". In February 2016, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident.
Redemption and Grammy Award
Jay Rock's third album, "Redemption," was released on June 15, 2018, through a joint venture with Interscope Records. The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number 13 on the Billboard 200. The lead single, "King's Dead," a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake from the "Black Panther" soundtrack, became his first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The track went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 2019, marking a major milestone in his career.
Discography
Studio Albums:
- Follow Me Home (2011)
- 90059 (2015)
- Redemption (2018)