CRUZ ROCK

He is one of the most highly anticipated Artists to derive from the U.S Virgin Islands, a singer, songwriter & producer. He maintains a steady rise as one of the Virgin Islands top Entertainers, creating a new era in music. A soul that is restless and destined for greatness he is Cruz Rock "Iyatola". His voice echoes through the airwaves stepping into the future with his powerful delivery and lyrical patterns. He is a versatile lyricist with a great imagination, creating genres of music ranging from Reggae, Dancehall, R&B, Island Pop & Reggaetone. Switching from a "DJ MC" with striking lyrics to a "Sing Jay" with soft melodies. Cruz Rock has shared the stage alongside legends like Glenn Washington, Beanie Man, Elephant Man, Mr. Vegas, Bugle, Rock City, Verse Simmonds, R&B sensation Lloyd and many more.
Cruz Rock was born on July 4, 1984 on the island of St.Croix U.S.Virgin Islands, the youngest of 3 children. His heritage traces back to Trinidad & Tobago as well as San Juan Puerto Rico and Viequez. Born to a Trinidadian mother and a Puerto Rican father he is a mixture of two very influential cultures. His love for music started at a young age, his father was a member of a local salsa band on the island while his mom was a woman of faith always singing to him gospel songs. His sister was also a great singer, setting examples for him when she performed at local events. While his brother's unconditional love for reggae helped him to absorb the Jamaican culture and dialect. "My brother began listening to reggae music in the 90's and introduced it to me at an early age , being that I looked up to him I drew closer to the reggae music. I listened to Bob Marley, Shabba Ranks, Sizzla, Red Rat, Buju Banton and so many more legends in the Reggae industry."
In 2002, the young visual artist was selected by the St. Croix Agriculture Fair and Innovative to be the designer of their Annual Agriculture Fair Festival poster, being the youngest to do so in the territory. Later that year he earned himself an award for best top three artists in The Virgin Islands Congressional Art Competition. His High School teacher Anselm Richards pushed him to accomplish more, and expected excellence. Before graduating high school he received a partial four- year scholarship to an elite private college in Columbus, Ohio, the "Columbus College of Art & Design", where he began in the fall of 2002. While away to college for higher learning his opportunities to battle with artist's stateside made his mc skills expand. He started working with local groups and recorded his first track in 2002. In 2003, he did his first club performance in Club Red Zone, then known as "Cruz Bwoy". He states, "I performed that night with Unique Soul a close friend in college, I did OK being that it was my first time on a real stage". That night T- Rock Sounds heard the potential in the young artist. T- Rock Sounds were a Sound System residing in Ohio but originally from St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands. They then renamed the young artists Cruz
Bwoy into Cruz Rock. In late 2003, Cruz Rock created V.I. Pride alongside Trilla G, Juice & Max his friends from the Virgin Islands all living in Ohio. He would then perform in over 100 shows during his college career Ohio and then moving on to Cincinnati, Lorraine and other areas of Ohio performing for over 3000 fans at times.
In 2005, Carrion Entertainment contacted Cruz Rock after hearing his music, he offered to put the young talent on a new project he was about to release "The Virgin Islands Reggae Gold". The Project gave him great exposure releasing "Mama She Cry's" produced by Trini Tobal and"Mo Gyal" produced by Louis Flabba Malcolm. Graduating from college in 2006 with a BFA in Industrial Design & Engineering he decided to move to Orlando, Florida, after hearing his fellow Islander Pressure tearing up the air waves with "Love & Affection". He established himself once again with the local dj's and promoters performing in differentevents and shows in the area. After 2 years, he began to see that there wasn't enough for him in Orlando so he moved to New York where he began working behind the scenes with Tempo TV. He would then shoot his first full HD video "Joy" which has been featured on Tempo numerous times as well as other Caribbean entertainment channels and International channels abroad.
In 2009, after completing almost a year in New York, he decided to go back home to the Virgin Islands to continue his musical mission. Being that his video "Joy" was playing on TV weeks before his arrival he came home to find out that people already knew who Cruz Rock was. After returning home to the Virgin Islands, he decided to open a business called "Majestic Designs" where he does graphic designs. His degree and specialized training has helped him to enhance his music talents by doing his own editing, album covers, logo's, flyers, banners, my space layouts and much more.
He has worked closely with local talents, performing at various local events as well as helping other artists by offering his services and mentoring young future artists in the music field. He has been interviewed on local radio stations in the VI where his music is requested on an on-going bases. He has been interviewed in person in Jamaica, Ohio, New York, Florida and via the internet worldwide.
Since his return home he has spread his music throughout the Caribbean, Australia, Africa, Germany, France, South America and for the first time in his career he has made it to the Caribbean Top 30 Countdown with his hit single "Temperature Rise" featuring Jahdesta. He also gained international recognition with his 2nd hit "Waiting On Me" featuring Fyah King on the Just For You Riddim alongside Pressure, Duane Stephenson and many more. He has been featured on over 20 Jamaican, International mixes and over 30 other mix cd's in 2010. Cruz Rock's Debut album is scheduled to be released this Winter 2010-2011 digitally distributed by Carrion Entertainment in conjunction with Island Def Jam. Cruz Rock a legend in the making.



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