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Ya Boy

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Ya Boy
Ya Boy in 2009
Ya Boy in 2009
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Joseph Crawford
Also known asRich Rocka
Born (1984-01-28) January 28, 1984 (age 40)[1]
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop, West Coast hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2002–present
Labels

William Joseph Crawford (born January 28, 1984), known by his stage name Ya Boy (also known as Rich Rocka), is an American rapper from the Fillmore District of San Francisco, California. He is best known for his 2011 single "Lock Down" (with DJ Drama featuring Akon).[2] The year prior, he signed with the latter's record label, Konvict Muzik, having first signed with San Quinn's Done Deal Entertainment to release his debut studio album, Rookie of the Year (2005). The following year, he signed with the Game's Black Wall Street Records, and later Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin' Records in 2009, releasing no albums with both labels.[3]

Early life

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Crawford grew up in San Francisco's Fillmore District, and graduated from El Camino High School in South San Francisco.

His cousin is football player Stevie Johnson.[4]

Career

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In 2005, Crawford signed with San Quinn's Done Deal Entertainment and SMC Recordings to release his debut album, Rookie of the Year in May of that year. In 2006, Crawford signed with the Game's record label The Black Wall Street Records, an imprint of Warner Bros. Records. After making an appearance on the label's collaborative mixtape, The Black Wall Street Journal, Vol. 1 (2006), Crawford began working with producers including Scott Storch, Araab Muzik and Cool & Dre, the latter of whom produced his 2008 standalone single, "Holla at Ya Boy".[5]

In 2009, Crawford formed the record label Black Card Music, and signed himself and the label to Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin' Records.[6] He released no projects with the label, and instead signed with Akon's labels Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution in February 2010. The following August, he released the single "Party Girls" (featuring Rico Love), and later the single "Lockdown" (with DJ Drama featuring Akon) in late 2011. The latter song was shared with disc jockey DJ Drama as part of his third album, Third Power (2011). Crawford changed his stage name in favor of Rich Rocka in early 2013. He then released the mixtape Road 2 Rocka on July 4, 2013.[7]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Mixtapes

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Year Title
2003 Mind Motion Rocks The Done Deal Party
2004 Fully Loaded Street Heat "16's Wit Me"
2005 The Future of the Franchise
2006 Chapter 1: The Rise
2007 Ya Boy Radio: Part One
The Fix
2008 Optimus Rime
I'm 'Bout to Murdah This Shit
The Bay Area Bully
2009 Kush 2009
Mohawks & Heavy Metal
2010 The Fix 2
2011 The Fillmore Renaissance Story
Pray For Forgiveness (with DJ Paul and Lil Lody, hosted by DJ Scream)
2012 Trappy Birthday
2013 Road 2 Rocka
2014 Allegiance
2015 Rich Rocka II
2016 Alien
Legacy
Guilty by Association 2
The Fix 3
2017 Definition of Explosive
The Tonite Show
Rocka World
2023 Back From the Future 2

References

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  1. ^ "Ya Boy". Hotnewhiphop.com. January 28, 1984. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Paine , Jake (February 26, 2010). "Akon Signs Ya Boy To Konvict Music". hiphopdx.com.
  3. ^ "L.A.'s 10 Best Up-and-Coming Rappers - LA Weekly".
  4. ^ "The GQA: Stevie Johnson". GQ. October 13, 2011.
  5. ^ "The Black Wallstreet, Vol. 1 by The Game & DJ Infamous Haze on Apple Music". October 24, 2006 – via music.apple.com.
  6. ^ Ya Boy Hoo Bangin. hiphopblog.com (October 21, 2009)
  7. ^ "Rich Rocka – Road 2 Rocka Hosted by Digital Product". datpiff.com. July 4, 2013.
  8. ^ "None".
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