California emcee Jay Rock was recently exonerated as the lead suspect of a drive by shooting in his Watts neighborhood.
Jay Rock, real name Johnnie McKenzie, was arrested on Wednesday April 29 as the primary suspect in the shooting. Footage of the arrest was disseminated throughout the internet last week. In the 3 minute clip, an agitated Jay Rock is shown in custody on a curb outside his home, while friends shout epithets at the police.
Despite being cleared of the charge, authorities still detained Jay Rock for several days on undisclosed outstanding warrants. The Watts emcee was eventually bailed out in time to make a scheduled Utah concert last weekend.
With a background in the Bloods street gang and explicit songs about his Watts neighborhood, Jay Rock represents one of a handful of new “Gangsta Rap” artists with breakout star potential. He hit the national scene last year courtesy of the single “All My Life,” which featured Lil Wayne and Will.i.am. Since then, he’s gone on to work with The Game, Lloyd Banks, and Busta Rhymes.
Jay Rock’s major label debut, Follow Me Home, is due out this fall through Warner Bros.