Rob G is Robert Gray, a rapper from California, United States, who is also described in his biography as Houston-based. He is associated with Latium Entertainment and the South West Alief Texas crew, and he raps in English and Spanish.

Background

Rob G’s early life is shaped by movement between cities and by family hardship. He is born in Chicago to parents from Uruguay and moves to Houston at the age of three, settling on the Southwest side, an area he describes as culturally diverse and marked by poverty. His parents work hard after arriving in the United States with little money and without speaking English. His father dies of cancer when Rob G is 12, and he begins working with his mother from that age, taking on cleaning jobs and other odd work to help support the family.

He also describes time spent in street life as a teenager, including smoking, drinking, small-time hustling and later deeper involvement in the drug trade. His account of that period includes being caught in a deal that goes wrong and nearly being killed. He has a wife, a son and a house to support, and says these responsibilities push him to focus more seriously on music.

Music career

Rob G begins using music as an escape from street life and develops a reputation as a battle rapper. He wins a large Houston contest involving around 400 MCs and later appears on MTV in a Roc-A-Fella-sponsored battle featuring top battle rappers from across the United States, including Wreckognize and TJ Swann. He is described as one of the strongest battle MCs in the southern United States.

After repeatedly playing demos for Charles Chavez of Latium Entertainment, he eventually signs to the label after recording material that gains interest. He works with producers including Happy Perez, Play-N-Skillz, Cory Mo and T. Gray, and records with Chamillionaire, Frankie J. and Natalie. He also appears in an MTV film starring Ciara called All You’ve Got and performs across the country.

Releases and style

His first major single, “Houston’s Got a Problem,” appears on the Rob G. Campaign Mix Tape. The track focuses on Houston and presents the city as more than its better-known rap imagery. His music reflects his experiences in street life, family responsibility and survival, and he presents himself as a voice for people who may not have one. He says he wants to be known as a Latin legend and to represent both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences.