Judge Sentences Rap Artist Rokks To Record Album With Damizza...Instead Of Jail.

[Lunatic]

http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1314/56/

SANTA BARBARA, CA. Feb. 9, 2009 — Baby Ree Records announced today that up-and-coming hip-hop recording artist Rokks has been given a unique opportunity to spend 10 days under house arrest to record his debut album rather than serve jail time.

 

  A Santa Barbara court agreed with a proposal from Rokks' counsel that the 23-year-old Santa Barbara resident spend the next 240 hours at an area recording studio with famed West Coast producer Damizza and his Baby Ree team of engineers and musicians, who, along with the 805 Clothing company and popular hip-hop news website www.chronicvacation.com, are donating their time and resources.

      "We're going to write, record and master the album in 10 days," says Damizza, best known for his work with Mariah Carey, Dr. Dre and dozens of other major artists. "We went into the studio this morning. Within two weeks, we hope to release "House Arrest."

      Rokks was facing the jail time due to a probation violation, he says, noting that he has otherwise kept himself out of trouble for several years and has been working very hard to change his life for the better. On Feb. 6, when the sentence was handed down, the court also released Rokks from the last half of a 10-year probation.

      Damizza, who came up with the "House Arrest" idea and presented it to Rokks' attorney, says, "I'm thrilled — we're all thrilled — that this young man is being given the opportunity to begin his new life in such a positive and creative way; it's just such a 'good-news' story all the way around. I feel so honored that the court was willing to take this unusual step and show faith in me, my team, and, most importantly, Rokks."

      Much of the writing and recording process is being filmed and Rokks is going to be doing a video blog from the studio, which will be posted daily at 8 p.m. on www.chronicvacation.com. "Just think how remarkable this is," Damizza says; "a young man's been given a fresh start — and we're going to see and hear it happen, literally."

      Born in East L.A. to a world that set him up for a life of crime and violence, Rokks struggled against the disadvantages and outright tragedies that thousands of youths like him that life offers. His older brother was murdered by a corrupt L.A. cop and what family life he knew evaporated. He was made a ward of the court at age 13.

      "I had no guidance as a kid," Rokks says. "I was in and out of foster homes and, like most of the kids from the hood, hit the streets runnin' at the age of 11 and got wrapped up in gang activity, crime, drugs, alcohol, violence. I grew up very quickly, but grew up the wrong way."

      When he was 20, Rokks met a hip-hop performer whom he had admired from afar and soon after the man was to become the first of several mentors, introducing Rokks to the recording studio and a more positive life — a way to begin pursing his greatest dream.

      "It changed my life," Rokks says. "I consider myself very fortunate, because having this dream, and being able to actively pursue it, has made me a better person. Music was my way of escaping all the crap I went through, even as I was going through it."

      In a short time, Rokks was recording and performing all over the West Coast, Nevada and Arizona with the Cali Life Style group. That inspired him further and Rokks began making his own beats, writing his own songs, stepping out as a solo performer and enrolling in Santa Barbara Community College courses to broaden his education.

      "The support I have found in music — and I mean the human souls, not just the sounds, has blessed me with friends, mentors, producers, fans and, truthfully, the family I never had. When I met Damizza he really encouraged me. He gave me faith and really keeps me on my toes in terms of writing and bettering myself not just as an artist but as a human being as well."
      As he begins work on "House Arrest," Rokks says he hopes the experience will in even a small way "inspire some kids out there going through the trouble I went through … it would be my life's greatest accomplishment if I could help some kids the way Damizza and his team are helping me. And, of course, I am eternally grateful to the court for giving me this incredible opportunity."

[GangstaBoogy]

que? no ses mamon!

[penenstamp]

Rokks - I'ma G (ft. Damizza, Los, & Dopey Loco) [Prod. by DJ Couz, Mixed by DJ Overtone].mp3


^ I have that song and I don't even remember what it sounds like. Let's hope the new music he puts out is more memorable.

[Hoodlum204]

Rokks??? That Name Sounds Familiar??? 

[DPGC23]

UR PROLLY THINKIN ROQS FROM FORUM,

NO SHIT HUH, THIS IS A WIERD ONE

AVER QUE

DPGC23

[Ese Torsido]

Cali Life Style is a Chicano rap duo. Appeared a few times in the earliest sessions of Pocos Pero Locos. I knew that group name sounded familiar.