Hot Rod: Full Speed Ahead
As the first artist signed to 50 Cent’s G-Note Records, one would think that Hot Rod would be living the life of a modern day gangster.
But Rod is quick to dispel those rumors as little more than hip-hop facade. “A lot of people have that misconception,” he said over the phone. “Like, somehow I’m living in a mansion, driving a really expensive car, all that…no. I live well, but I worked for those things, you know?”
And indeed, he has: back in 2006, a Young Hot Rod (as he was known then) was signed to the G-Unit roster for a brief period of time, the “Young” rapper generated some buzz off of the strength of his Mary J. Blige-featured single “Be Easy,” but failed to scale the heights that artists such as Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, & Young Buck had achieved nearly effortlessly.
“So we had to take a totally different approach to the music,” he reflected. “I had to reach outside my comfort zone…take a whole new approach to the sound…and be an innovator.”
After a sojourn to Europe — where he immersed himself in the Eurodance culture — he dropped the “Young” from his name, added a bit of dance flavor to his sound, and hit pop culture right between the eyes with “Dance With Me,” which debuted on the Billboard Dance Chart and the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart.
Not to be outdone, the “Black Bieber” dropped a single for “Hot Girl,” which featured his iconic label boss as a gynecologist. “Now that was a trip,” he laughed. “You know when he [50 Cent] comes through, things are going to get crazy. But we had a lot of fun.”
Now set to drop his debut album, “My Life,” sometime in the first quarter of 2012 (which features the likes of David Guetta & Bob Sinclar), Rod says that he calls himself the “Black Bieber” because it’s equal parts homage and humor to the teen sensation (baby mama drama notwithstanding!): “For me, Bieber is the ultimate in swag. He did things his way, authentically, and true to his vision. That’s something that I aim to do every day, and with my art, as well.”
Hot Rod Social Links: Website Facebook Twitter
[toggle title="Interviewed By"]Bernadette R. Giacomazzo[/toggle]
HOT ROD — The Recording Process of ‘Hot Girl’ (courtesy of BooBooTV.com)
Hot Rod – Hot Girl (Official Music Video)
HOT GIRL Remix feat. 50 Cent
