But in another, it can be helpful to hear from mentors what you already know to be true. In a way, it wasn’t something he needed to be told. One of the early lessons Rock learned was to stay curious when it came to his art form. “He just took me under his wing,” Rock says, “when he was getting his career off the ground.” As Heavy D’s career began to blossom in the late ‘80s and early ’90s, he brought Rock along for part of the ride and showed him some of the early business. Heavy D, who was one of rap music’s early successful emcees, is also Rock’s cousin. “What I’ve experienced growing up in hip-hop is being mentored by people like Heavy D and Marley Marl and being lucky enough to have that,” Rock tells American Songwriter. For Rock, it’s part of paying back what he’d received earlier from people like Brown and others in his more immediate family. Now, as the latest judge for the Tracklib Beat Battle Competition (winner announced this Sunday), Rock is taking on the role of mentor to a number of aspiring artists. To this day, Rock, who has since worked with Nas, Kanye, Jay Z and is considered one of the most influential producers ever, says that was one of the greatest days of his life. His mother even had the confidence to introduce herself and her son to Brown that night. At 7, Rock’s mother took him to a show in his hometown of Mount Vernon where Brown was performing. His father was a record collector and DJ and Rock used to listen to his jazz and soul albums (Brown included).
When Rock was just 3 years old, he’d realized music was always around.
#JUST THE WAY YOU ARE BARRY WHITE PROFESSIONAL#
That moment, coupled with a childhood immersed in music, helped to open Rock’s eyes to the very real idea that he too could be a professional musician. Legendary hip-hop producer, Pete Rock (born Peter Phillips), met the legendary songwriter and performer James Brown when he was 7 years old in Mount Vernon, New York.
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