1999–2008: Career beginnings and Self Made In 1999, Rocko began his career as a
talent agent for the independent label, Triple A Records. After a local rapper he discovered received a contract with
Universal, he left Triple A and launched the record label, Rocky Road Records, in 2003. He signed or bought out recording contracts from then-upcoming musical acts including
Young Dro and
Dem Franchise Boyz, both of whom signed with Rocky Road prior to their mainstream breakthroughs. Also in 2003, Rocko released his debut project as a recording artist: the mixtape
N.W.A (No Wack Artist). He released his debut studio album,
Self Made on March 18, 2008. It featured production from
Drumma Boy,
Cool & Dre,
The Runners and
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and vocal contributions from guest artists
Lloyd,
Dre,
Kevin Cossom as well as
Monica. The album was preceded by the single "
Umma Do Me", his first single to reach success on the
Billboard Hot 100. The album was met with generally negative reviews and lukewarm commercial reception. On March 1, 2010, he released the mixtape
Wild Life. As a result of the positive feedback for the mixtape, Rocko re-released it as an independent album in June of that year, adding the subtitle
Deez Streets a Beast. The album contained guest appearances from his A1 Recordings signee
Future, who performed on the tracks "9 Times Outta Ten", "Up", and "You Know". On February 9, 2011, Rocko released his mixtape
Rocko Dinero. In September 2011, A1 Recordings would have its first major release with Future's debut single "
Tony Montana", which Rocko co-wrote. On November 24, 2011, he released the mixtape
Gift of Gab, the mixtape spawned the regionally successful single "Squares Out Your Circle" (featuring Future). In April 2012, Future released his debut album
Pluto, which Rocko executive produced and co-wrote five tracks on. The album was met with critical and commercial success, likewise with Future's subsequent releases on the A1 label. On October 25, 2012, Rocko released the mixtape
Wordplay. On January 26, 2013, it was announced that Rocko was considering joining his old business partner
L.A. Reid (who was previously an executive at Def Jam) on his new label
Epic Records, as Rocko's artist Future was performing well on the label. He intimated he wasn't sure about the decision, and ultimately did not sign with the Epic. Despite Rocko remaining independent, Future would continue to release his projects with Epic and remain A1's only major signee. On February 16, 2013, he released
Gift of Gab 2; the mixtape spawned his second hit with the somewhat controversial single: "
U.O.E.N.O." featuring
Future and
Rick Ross. The song, produced by
Childish Major, peaked at number 20 on the
Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first top 40 hit. On February 16, 2013, it was announced that Rocko signed a distribution deal with
E1 Music for his label A1, and that he was preparing for the release of his next studio album,
Seeing Is Believing, effectively cancelling
One of One. On March 25, 2013, Rocko hinted of a possible collaboration album between him and Future. Rocko would then release the mixtape
Wordplay 2 the same year. On February 7, 2014, Rocko released his mixtape
Lingo 4 Dummys. On May 29, 2014, Rocko released an
extended play (EP) entitled
Poet in dedication of the passing of
Maya Angelou. The EP, which features a
guest appearance from
Nas, was originally released for free online, but later added to the iTunes Store via A1 Recordings. On October 15, 2014, Rocko released his mixtape
IGNANT. On November 27, 2014, Rocko released his mixtape
FOOD. On February 20, 2015, Rocko released his mixtape
Expect the Unexpected. On July 2, 2015, he released his mixtape
Real Spill. Future would part ways with Rocko's A1 Recordings label in 2017. == Controversy ==