Pete Rock | Artist
Peter O. Phillips aka Pete Rock is an American hip-hop artist born 1970 in The Bronx, New York City. He rose to prominence in the 1990s as a producer, DJ, and rapper, and is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time, often mentioned alongside DJ Premier, RZA, and Q-Tip, as one of the mainstays of 1990s East Coast hip hop production. Rock also played a major role in the merging of elements from jazz into hip hop music, known as "jazz rap". Growing up surrounded by the vibrant hip-hop culture of New York City, Rock was inspired by pioneers such as DJ Premier, Marley Marl, and Large Professor. He started experimenting with turntables and drum machines, honing his skills and developing his own unique style. In 1991, Rock, along with CL Smooth, released their critically acclaimed debut album All Souled Out which showcased his exceptional production abilities. The duo's follow-up album, Mecca and the Soul Brother, released in 1992, is considered a classic of the golden era of hip-hop, featuring timeless tracks like "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" and "Straighten It Out." Pete Rock's production style is characterised by his use of jazz and soul samples, intricate drum patterns, and soulful melodies, creating a warm, nostalgic sound. His innovative sampling techniques and meticulous attention to detail have earned him widespread acclaim. Throughout his career, Pete Rock has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Run-DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, and Smoke DZA among others. His production credits span across numerous classic albums and singles, contributing to the rich tapestry of hip-hop music and influencing a new generation of producers and artists. Rock's DJ sets are legendary for their seamless blends of classic and contemporary hip-hop, funk, and soul music, showcasing his deep knowledge and passion for the art form. As a rapper, he has released several solo albums, including Soul Survivor (1998) and PeteStumentals (2001), further showcasing his versatility and creativity as an artist. Also highly recommended are the albums Center of Attention (2003), a collaboration with Inl, plus Don't Smoke Rock (2016) with DZA Smoke . As for his work process, Pete Rock creates beats from samples, the majority of which are taken from obscure R&B, funk, and jazz records. Up until 2003, he created all of his productions on the E-mu SP-1200 sampler, thereafter using the Akai MPC2000XL. He also has a huge collection of about 90,000 records and continues to hunt for new records at least once a week.
Artist Website: wikipedia/Pete_Rock
Featured Albums: Pete Rock
Related Artists: CL Smooth, Smoke DZA
