Rod Roc

Biography

Rodney Fernandez Rivers. The Daly City bred and Vallejo town native, was better known to people as Rodney-O or Rod Roc. He started DJing local house parties and school dances in 1993 and after some odd years, linked up with legendary Daly City DJ crew; Second To None Productions. Paying dues with the STN crew opened up a mass amount of new opportunities with-in the industry, which led Rod Roc to slowly but surely, start rocking major notable events around the Bay Area and beyond. Sharing the stage with inspirational idols such as A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige, Hieroglyphics, Method Man, Queen Latifah, DJ Rhettmatic, Cut Chemist & Numark, Dilated Peoples, Black Eyed Peas (original), Tower of Power, Jurassic 5, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Fingerbangerz, Moonrocks, Living Legends, Top Rawmen, The Earthlings, and Saul Williams. Heading towards the late nineties, Rod Roc participated in the 1999 Guitar Center ITF (International Turntable Federation) Spin-Off DJ Battle. But unfortunately was unable to place due to important personal life matters. Soon after Second To None started to merge slowly toward the slow lane around 2000-2001, Rod Roc kept it moving and decided to give birth to a beautiful brainchild named, Souled Out Radio. Souled Out Radio was a full-blown outlet that catered to local Bay Area independent artists/musicians and beyond. The inspiration manifested from an evil plot developed by corporate pigs to buy out all the local radio stations (106 KMEL/WILD 107) and basically cut all free airplay. Thus, causing the stations to abide by premeditated (VIP type) play lists that corporate America saw fit, otherwise known as, simply force-feeding the public. Souled Out Radio's show lineup was; Schoolyard Saturdays, Sunday Night Break-Fast, and the Thursday Night Throwdown, which was broadcast straight out of his Vallejo home-base as opposed to your typical fancy studio. Following shortly after, local Bay Area DJ/Producer; Joe Dukes, and rookie DJ, The Mighty Delrokz, join forces with Rod Roc and create independent music label; Souled Out Underground. Souled Out Underground was home to numerous independent Bay Area artists/producers/DJ's and threw some of the freshest shows, showcasing legendary acts such as; Prince Po (Organized Konfusion), Akil (Jurassic 5), Melina Jones, Group Therapy, The Earthtones, Vera Clique, Poeticali Disturbd, Jendor, 4OnePhonics, Jern Eye, Kero-One, Mixed Messengers, Hopie Spitshard, and the list keeps going. In 2008, Rod Roc landed a resident DJ spot with San Francisco's infamous event catered to turntablist skratch enthusiasts; Skratchpad (created by fellow Vallejo natives Cellskiii and Deeandroid). Shortly after, he became the permanent DJ for independent Bay Area hip-hop group; Group Therapy (LMNtal, Inkfat, and Random). In 2011, Rod Roc linked up with Northern California heavy hitters; Digital Martyrs, as their DJ/Co-Producer and fourth official member. And finally in 2016, Rod Roc (Rodney Rivers) and younger brother Rene Rivers (formerly known as Weerdough) join forces too create hip-hop duo, RIVERS.

Profile

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is a universal language which allows myself to communicate and connect with each and every living being that inhabits our universe. It is a language that is understood and felt by all, which gives us the ability to express ourselves when words cannot. Music is love. Music is life.

What inspires you to make music?

My kids. My family & friends. Everyday struggles and successes.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

RIVERS. Digital Martyrs. Cant Find A Villain. Paulie Rhyme. Cyph4. Madd Caesar. Melina Jones. Nu Dekades. Mikial. Uptown Swuite. JCee. Mariyett Abuda. John Brooks. Matthew Lowe. 6Fingers. Joe Dukes. Topkat. Asonic Garcia. LMNtal. Hopie Spitshard. Mandeep Sethi. Teeko. Fingerbangerz. Rey Resureccion. Gi.