Blaq Rose was born as Roosevelt Griffin Jr. in March under the sign pisces to Roosevelt Griffin Sr. and Hattie E. Griffin. He grew up in his home town of Youngstown, Ohio in a family that was always in church 4 days out of the week. He was a very observant and bright child and picked up on things very fast. He started listening to his father and mother sing in church as well as around the house. They had a family group called the Galations and he wanted to do what he saw them doing. So he secretly did the same and joined the choir at age 4. His parents never knew how much he had learned and how much God given talent that he really possessed. Until one day he decided he wanted to sing a solo that his Dad would sing in church regularly. So he told his parents. One Sunday morning they handed him the microphone and he opened his mouth to sing. A star was born he blew them away and it all started from then on.
He also watched the musicians play there instruments and a burning passion began to keep him watching every chance he got. His parents were having problems keeping musicians so at the age of 6yrs old he told his mom she would never have to worry about a musician again. So he quickly started to play the drums, then moving to bass guitar, lead guitar and piano. The lead guitar would become his favourite instrument.
At the same time he was doing music he began being an athlete as well. So as he got older he began practising sports and music all day and all night. He breathed both throughout his adolescence eventually becoming a star athlete in high school but all the while excelling in music. In the school choir competitions receiving the highest honour you could receive.
He started his own gospel and rnb singing groups while in high school winning talent shows all over his city. All the while juggling music sports and academics. He would play football and basketball during the week and travel across the country singing either with his own group or with his families group.
As a musician and singer Roosevelt Aka Blaq Rose helped out everyone by playing for them or doing lead for most area choirs in his city. Upon graduating from high school he had scholarship to go to college as a football or basketball player. Although he was a great athlete. Blaq Rose followed his heart and his first love music. He formed a gospel group called Frenz who would become a big hit in Youngstown. They eventually changed the name and style to rnb and become Who'z Who. Who'z Who travelled the country in search of a record deal for years.
There first breakthrough came when they entered a Black Music Expo given by the legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. As they were warming up in the restroom an exec from Sony music publishing heard them and immediately ask them to,sing for some people and boy did the blow them away. Sony signed them to a publishing deal without one song done or placed on a major artist. From there they developed there style as singer,writers, and producers. Still travelling working with different producers and writers.
Eventually they signed there first recording contract in 1994 and again in 1997 to Dr. Dre's aftermath. Dre loved the eerie sound they developed. Now this young boy from Youngstown Ohio and his group are label mate with Eminem, Eve, and Dr. Dre. Who knew this would happen. Things were going great then Dre got Eminem and Jimmy Ivine shelved all except eminem.
Because of his upbringing in music his parents prepared him for any and everything. So Blaq Rose ventured off as a producer and writer. Getting his first placement on his group. On Dr. Dre presents the aftermath cd. The song titled No Second Chance. Then he got his second placement on kc & jojo's second album tell me it's real. Penning the song I want to get to know you and Hello Darlin'.
From there the group Who'z Who members fell apart but Blaq Rose kept it moving. Producing and writing he got a publishing deal with Warner Chappel music and a production deal with Soulife records. All this time he had been getting solo offers but he stayed loyal to his group. At this point soulife wanted a solo record from Blaq Rose but he wanted his group on so he called his brother Ike vega and an original who'z who member and formed the group again. Now who'z who is signed to Blaq Roses production company through soulife/atlantic. Sunshine Anderson and Anthony Hamilton is there label mates. That was going well but all of a sudden things changed for the worst the company folded. From there blaq rose went on to produce for more artist.
Then in 2007 ran into Marc Gordon at a night club in cleveland. Gordon informed Blaq Rose of the new Levert album record that Gerald, Sean, and Gordon started. Gerald passed away before they could get things rolling but he and Sean needed a new lead singer. Blaq Rose was up for the challenge and became the new lead singer for Levert II. Upon completion of the album Sean Levert passed away as well. Making the album a dedication not only to Gerald but for Sean Levert also. After 5 dedicated years Blaq Rose is still going strong with Levert II. Blaq Rose also is now ready to make a name for himself as a solo artist in addition to his commitment to Levert II and Who'z Who.
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