Biography
Phoenix, Arizona-raised Young Hot Rod, who first recorded simply as Hot Rod, bypassed the competitive circuit of live rap battles that launched many careers. Instead he mailed an unsolicited demo directly to the G-Unit offices in the hope of securing a deal. Upon hearing the tape, 50 Cent recognized an unforced delivery that echoed his own style. In December 2005 the twenty-year-old mortgage broker took a call from 50 Cent himself, after which the rapper adopted the name Young Hot Rod, relocated to New York, and signed with G-Unit Records. Work on his debut album, Fastlane, began immediately and wrapped in just three weeks under 50 Cent’s oversight. To clear the path for a summer 2006 introduction, 50 Cent delayed projects by fellow label mates M.O.P. and Young Buck. The first public preview arrived that July when “Be Easy,” featuring Mary J. Blige, began receiving heavy urban-radio rotation. Shortly afterward Young Hot Rod appeared on the remix of LL Cool J’s “Bump This.”
Singles