Rocca (French rapper)


Rocca is a French-Colombian Rapper and Producer born in April 1975, in Paris. Rocca is known as one of the best lyricist in French Rap. He gained recognition as a rapper during the 1990s as a part of the influential rap group, La Cliqua. Also as member of Tres Coronas. Cousin of Juan Pablo, Gabriela, Camila, and Juanita Rocca.

Biography

The La Cliqua years

As a part of La Cliqua, Rocca toured radios and stages, and then released, in 95, a first EP, now considered a master piece of French Rap: "Conçu pour durer" on Arsenal Records. Rocca delivered, for the first time on record, his then eccentric rhyming style alongside his microphone associates: Daddy Lord C, Kohndo, Raphaël, Egosyst, Dj Jelahee, Lumumba, Le Chimiste and Mush le Phonky Bwana. Kohndo, Egosyst and Lumumba formed the group Coup d'État Phonique, while Daddy Lord C and Rocca teamed up as La Squadra. The record was an immediate success in the French Hip-Hop scene. Quickly Arsenal Records signed with major label Barclay, and La Cliqua worked on their next project released in 1996 as a compilation album: "Arsenal Represente le Vrai Hip-Hop". The record featured all members of La Cliqua and their young affiliates: Petit Boss and Cercle Vicieux.
Critically acclaimed, La Cliqua became a major feature on the French Hip-Hop landscape. They opened for Arrested Development at the Olympia in Paris and performed in New York City at the Zulu Nation Anniversary. Following in the footsteps of "Represente le Vrai Hip-Hop", Rocca was the first emcee from La Cliqua to release a solo album: "Entre Deux Monde" which featured Kohndo on: "Mot pour mot" and "Rap Contact 2".
In 1997, Egosyst, Rocca's rhyme partner on "Coup d’Etat Phonique" decided to leave La Cliqua.

The Tres Coronas years

formed in New York City in 2001 by Rocca, fellow Colombian rapper P.N.O. with Dominican rapper Reychesta Secret Weapon.

La Cliqua Reunion

In April 2008, Rocca and the other members of La Cliqua came back together for a performance at the Festival l'Original in Lyon. This successful, unexpected, reunion which resurrected on stage some of La Cliqua's classic repertoire, was followed in January 2009 by a sold out concert in Paris, at the Elysée Montmartre.

Discography

With La Cliqua

2001 : Elevación
2003 : Amour Suprême
2012 : Le Calme Sous La Pluie
2015 : Bogotá-París

Notable appearances

a de los muertes on Big Red's album, Big Redemption''
Appears in CAN I KICK IT ? #2
Tu le reconnais with Alpha Wann