Where's the Roc?

The following Monday, Wrekonize made an appearance on TRL before a crowd of cheering teenage girls. MTV plans to bring him back this New Year's Eve for a battle royale against Reignman, the winner of the first MC Battle. He expects to receive his $25,000 reward shortly. The Beat has also been supportive, spinning his new single "Breathe" on the air and setting up promotional opportunities for him, including a talk at American High School on December 17.

Wrekonize is happy for the exposure and support that MTV and the Beat continue to give him. But why did Roc-A-Fella give him the shaft? Maybe the label didn't view Wrekonize, who values underground heroes like Gang Starr and Aesop Rock, as capable of "representing" the home of Jay-Z and other street rap icons. Still he wouldn't mind recording for Roc-A-Fella, though he admits he'd think twice before signing on the dotted line. "They didn't seem to show much interest and that's a dangerous sign," he says. "If you want somebody to support you and put money into your career, and they don't look like they're going to support you, then you might find yourself in a troubled situation, especially when you got a contract."

Jonathan Postal

Wrekonize emerges from the MIA underground

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