Late 90s- Early 2000s... Rocafella Records had the game on lock. Current billionaire Jay-Z as the major headliner and breadwinner, films, and several artists who dominated the radio airwaves (Dipset, State Property, Young Gunz, Kanye West to name a few). As with many major record labels, there were stand out artists who just didn't get a chance to shine as we wanted them to. For this spotlight, flowers are certainly in order for Rocafella's R&B artist, Rell.
Gerrell Gaddis, hailing from South Carolina, was the first male R&B artist signed to Roc-A-Fella. Did you know prior to this, he was a pre-med student?
He crooned seamlessly on a feature every time and had banging singles, but never reached the success they should've. To keep this a positive post highlighting what is most important, Rell was a necessary piece of the Roc-A-Fella puzzle. Necessary. Here's a list of records that would not be the track they are to this day, if it wasn't for Rell...
As One x Jay-Z, Rell, Young Gunz, Omillio Sparks, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crack, Memphis Bleek
Only one way to kick this list off. Who do you know could execute an Earth, Wind, & Fire sample vocally, this RAW? Hov was right. "Turn Rell up a lil bit..."
