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Artist
Name: Rover
Record Label: Bottomline Music
Web Site: www.rover-online.com
Albums: The Best Unsigned
Additional Albums: The Crack is Back, The 86 edition (2005) and The World Thru My Eyes (forthcoming
2006). |
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Balancing the authenticity of the streets, magnetism of a polished performer and entrepreneurial spirit of a seasoned businessman, Rover is at the forefront of the new generation of hip-hop artists. Combining deep and witty storytelling with an impeccable flow, intense charisma and an incredible drive to succeed, he has refused to wait on the right time/place intersection of luck and location, rather hitting the streets and creating his own opportunities.
Using his music as an outlet, Rover translates his journey- both struggles and victories, into memorable snippets of life on the streets, told smoothly over slick harmonies, hard drums and deep base lines. Rover breathes his personal experiences into his songs- speaking of his love and lust for women, the allure of street life, commitment to success as an artist and everything in between.
Born Ramon Pasos in 1981, Rover was raised by his mother and stepfather, after his biological father passed away in a motorcycle accident before he was born. A lovingly strict woman whose goal was to keep her son out of the harsh streets of the South Bronx, she taught Rover the ideals of hard work, the power of conviction and appreciation for the blessings that life gave them. Inevitably, Rover also learned from the smooth talking hustlers, gangsters and thugs, the unofficial ‘role models’ of his neighborhood, adopting their infectious charisma, confidence and steadfastness in the face of danger, all imperative to survival on the streets.
Rover’s first love was not music, but rather basketball. As a high school standout, he had already made a name for himself as a promising young athlete quite early on. One day, his good friend, Mike Dog, challenged him to write a rhyme and was impressed with the result. The two took it to their school guidance counselor, landing a slot on an upcoming talent show. They were an instant hit, however, it wasn’t until several years later, when Rover met Jimbo, a producer who lived in his apartment building, that he began to take the possibility of a career in music seriously. The pair would hole up in the studio and create songs from scratch, with Jimbo encouraging Rover to focus and ‘master his flow,’ working on developing a unique delivery, as well as hard-hitting and consistent lyrics.
Several years later, Rover and his partner Smooth founded an independent label called BottomLine Entertainment. In addition to recording new material, the two began hitting the club circuit and networking within the industry. Rover’s first single, ‘Trick Please’ garnered immense success despite limited promotion, but rather through vast word-of-mouth. Picked up by radio stations from New York City to Orlando, satellite radio and appearing on random underground mix tapes, they were optimistic and decided to release a full mixtape, which they sold in Mom & Pop CD and DVD stores, barbershops, on the Internet and out of the trunk of their car, in total distributing almost 6,500 copies.
The buzz from the single brought new opportunities to connect with radio, expand Rover’s fan base and perform in more substantial venues, including the Official Welcome Back concert at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, where Rover shared the bill with artists such as Fat Joe, Elephant Man, Mobb Deep, Lil’ Flip and Mase. He also released a second mixtape, “The Crack is Back,” building the BottomLine catalog and creating even more noise in the marketplace.
‘Trick Please’ landed on the turntables of popular New York City DJ Cipha Sounds who was impressed with Rover’s talent. He offered Rover a joint venture deal with his imprint, JackMove and although ultimately the deal did not come to completion, Rover increased both his fan base and his knowledge of the business.
He holds the attention and respect of both the streets and the industry alike and has garnered a strong fan base in the North East. Rover is currently in the studio recording his third mixtape (Jan. 2006) and a full album for tentative release in mid- 2006, working with production heavyweights such as Sam Sneed, Prestige, Young Lord and GMM. His newest single, “Dip,” is heating up the airwaves and dance clubs alike. |
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