[RECOGNIZE] Rockie Fresh

The Chicago native Rockie Fresh, has quickly been added to my list of favorite rappers. After starting his music career only a few years ago, the fresh, young up-and-comer has already become one of hip hop's favorite new artists as well.

After growing up on the south side of Chicago, Rockie (born Donald Pullen) later moved to Homewood, Illinois where he attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School. It was there he adopted the name "Rockie Fresh" given by his friends during the freestyle rap battles at lunch-time. Rockie created his own lane, not ever really living a "street life". However, he always had a rebel soul and it came across in his first few raps, penned at age 16.

Influenced by the likes of Nelly, Kanye, and Lupe Fiasco, (and even pastor T.D. Jakes) Rockie began peddling his own mixtapes via internet. His footwork built a buzz locally and ripped the attention of Fall Out Boy's lead singer Patrick Stump, who pulled Rockie on tour with him as an opening act in 2011. Another cool fact about the kid; Rockie performed at the Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey where he met Josh Madden, brother of Joel and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte and was later featured on their album The Madden Brothers: Before The Fame.

In 2012, Rockie fresh dropped the mixtape Driving 88. This mixtape began a tug-of-war between Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group. Though, as some of you know, Rockie inked with the Boss himself, Rick Ross.

Currently, Driving 88 is my personal favorite playing now as I type. Hosted by DJ Ill Will, the tape is blasting with a smooth flow, matching his chill demeanor, which may come off to listeners in comparison to Currency or Wiz. However after you've gotten past those initial comparisons, it is easy to hear that Rockie is definitely paving down his own path creating his individual sound and telling his story making it clear as to why his buzz is budding (no pun ha!) in regards to his music. He delivers his sound on Driving 88 with brilliant ode's to southern hip hop with samples from Gucci Mane to Ludacris, some electic productions, and with strong purpose in his lyrics. Simply worded: The boy is DOPE!
Download "Driving 88" Here !

A few instant picks off the mixtape:

• "Don't Worry
• "Twenties"
• "You A Lie"

His latest mixtape is a 7-track mixtape he released last month in celebration of his birthday, of course entitle "The Birthday Tape" featuring his MMG fam including Rick Ross and Gunplay. Rockie has also joined his labelmate Meek Mill and inked a new endorsement deal with PUMA. (Nice!)

(The Birthday Tape)

As Rockie now waves the that MMG flag, he is defintely on the come up, recording and cooking up some FRESH SH!T for his upcoming major label debut LP. With a "writer-free" tactic, Rockie's approach to lyrics differ as he feels "writing makes [him] think too hard on trying to be cool", which is something I respect, loving an artist that stays true to himself.

Check out Rockie in his video "A.C. Green" where he basically describes his plan to success!
~BeautiiFLY