ROCKO
Album : Self Made
Release Date : March 18th, 2008
Label : Def Jam

review :
Proving that a workaholic ethic is the key to success, Rocko steps out from behind the scenes - as an Atlanta-based artist manager, songwriter, promoter, and head of his own label (Rocky Road) - with his smash debut single as a recording artist on Island Urban, "Umma Do Me," which moves up to #11-bullet on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Songs charts, in its 12th week out. The video for "Umma Do Me" has entered BET’s "106 & Park" countdown at #10.

"Umma Do Me," produced by Drumma Boi, is the first single pick from Rocko’s debut album, SELF MADE, arriving in stores March 18th on Rocky Road/Island Urban. "Umma Do Me," he told Billboard, "was a song I recorded for the streets, and it took off from there... I never meant for it to be a single." Accidental hit or not, the song cracks the market wide open for SELF MADE, which (also) features production from Cool and Dre, the Runners, Jazze Pha and DJ Toomp. "This album is colossal. It’s much bigger and crazier than that," he says, referring to the single. "It’s about real-life situations."

SELF MADE lives up to its title, reflecting Rocko’s rise to the top of the game, a deal-maker who has been putting together hits for most of the millennium. He learned to write and format songs and create beats, while serving as a talent scout for Universal Music. His first act was Hitman Sammy Sam, whose novelty "Step Daddy" earned a deal with Universal. Sam’s 2002 debut album was the first to bear the Rocky Road imprint.

In 2003, Rocko’s first mixtape, NWA (No Wack Artist) featured Juvenile, Turk, Jazze Pha, Bone Crusher, and others. In the interim, continuing to work with Universal, Rocko was connected to deals with Dem Franchize Boyz (their self-titled debut, 2004) and Young Dro (signed to Atlanta-based T.I.’s Grand Hustle label in 2006, distributed by Atlantic). Rocko’s production company also tracked songs for Lil’ Flip and Pastor Troy.

But it was last year’s Swag Season, Rocko’s second mixtape, featuring Jim Jones, Rick Ross, Gotti, and Shawty Lo - along with the original version of "Umma Do Me" - that blew up the scene. 300 spins deep, "Umma Do Me" piqued the interest of fellow Atlien Jermaine Dupri, president of Island So So Def. After Atlanta’s premiere hip-hop magazine Ozone put Rocko on the cover, Def Jam Senior VP of A&R Shakir Stewart brought Rocko to New York to meet Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. "They had their mind made up," Rocko says. "I couldn’t even leave the building."

A ten-year veteran of Atlanta’s competitive hip-hop arena, 29-year old Rocko (Rodney Hill) got his start after graduating high school and working at local jobs. A decade later, his ascension to major label status bears witness to his ambition and talent. "I am going in and mastering my craft daily," he told Billboard. "Now there’s no turning back."

Track listing

1. Dis Morning
2. Umma Do Me
3. Hustle Fo
4. Busy
5. Tomorrow
6. Old Skool
7. Priceless
8. Like This Here
9. That’s My Money
10. She Can Get It
11. Snakes
12. Meal
13. Thugs Need Love Too
14. Karma

No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.

Rocko Self Made, by Blakmaine from the Tarheel State N.C [2008-05-12 18:25:33]

I like the track dis morning it’s gutta. Is he really Monica man’s though. The album well the songs I heard anyway are tight he is not the worst rapper out their. Where all these haters come from, I like when new artist come out. Don’t want to hear the same sh@t from the same artist all the time.

Rocko Self Made, by Luv Love [2008-04-13 10:45:18]

Wow ! Who’s responsible for 4.5 stars ? Are you guys insane. This album sucks ! The production is nice but lyrically he sucks. Most of the hooks are reminents from previous 16s in other songs. His delivery is lazy. Though you can ride to it in the car it still sucks ! Too bad the production was overshadowed by cliche’ and laziness.

Rocko Self Made, by Austin Hudson [2008-04-11 18:26:23]

WAz Up Rocko Dat Song Money Nd Umma Do Me Nd Remix Iz HOt

Rocko Self Made, by bRE [2008-04-09 23:01:55]

Love the Cd... don’t care what others think.The Cd is Fire...Great Songs..EPECIALLY LOVE THE SONG"KARMA"

Rocko Self Made, by DP [2008-03-23 09:38:24]

Rocko new album Self-Made is FIRE !! If you into the production side of hip hop, then it will please you in that aspect. Drumma Boy absolutly killed it on this one. He produced half the album. He did the first single Umma Do Me, Busy, Tommorow, Old Skool, Like This Here(my favorite), Snakes, Meal and Thugs need love Too. WOW !! J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League did the last track called Karma. The Runners did only one song. As talented as they are, they should of done more than one track in my opinion. They did a song called That’s my money. Cool & Dre surprised me on this one. They switched it up a lil bit with a track called She Can Get It. Fatboi is a producer I’ve never heard of, he got track called Priceless. Last is Marvelous J. I know him from his work with Yung Sean. HOTNESS ! He did the intro called Dis Morning and Hustle Fo. Its an all around good album for tha streets, I think it’s up there with Young Jeezy first album. Rocko is the new KING of SWAG ! His style is unquie and and word play is crazy. With the combination of those RIDICULOUS beats and his flow, definitely certifys this album as an instant classic !

Rocko Self Made, by Jayvon tha DoN Thomas KID [2008-03-19 13:42:52]

i see u g but lets tak mo money i’m 17teen stright outa DETRIOT n needs help with a deal hit me up real raw rare flow