Rapper, producer and entrepreneur Rocko went from breaking Atlanta’s most promising talent to joining them in the ring and releasing music of his own. • Rocko started as a producer at his cousin’s studio in 1999. Later that year, he was hired by the local label Triple A Records to find the hottest new talent. • He brought rapper Hitman Sammy Sam to the label and positioned him to sign with Universal Records. In return, Sammy financially supported Rocko, who left Triple A to found Rocky Road Records. • Rocko began working with Atlanta heavy hitters like Young Dro and Dem Franchize Boyz, who motivated him to become an artist himself. • He signed to Def Jam and released his debut album, Self Made in 2008. The single “Umma Do Me” went Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart. • In 2010, Rocko left Def Jam to found A-1 Recordings, a label he’s used to release his own mixtapes, as well as projects by fellow Atlanta rapper Future.