Chris Rob
{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|American musician}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Chris Rob Live 2014.jpg
| caption = The Brooklyn Academy of Music, April 2014
| birth_name = Christopher Robinson
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|producer}}
| years_active = 2002–present
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|guitar|drums}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|R&B|soul|funk}}
| label =
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Kanye West|Stevie Wonder|John Legend|Anita Baker|Talib Kweli}}
| website = {{URL|chrisrobmusic.com}}
}}
Chris Rob, born Christopher Robinson, is an American musician, originally from Chicago,{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/2005/11/13/chris-rob-ready-for-the-world/ |author=Marbury, Donna |work=All Hip Hop |title=Chris Rob: Ready For The World |date= November 13, 2005 |accessdate=March 6, 2016}} who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.{{cite news|url=http://www.soulbounce.com/2013/01/chris_rob_wants_to_go_deep_inside/ |author=Jam, Kitten |work=SoulBounce |title=Chris Rob Wants To Go 'Deep Inside' |date= January 23, 2013 |accessdate=February 11, 2018}} Rob, the younger brother of actor-comedian Craig Robinson, attended Roosevelt University in Chicago and earned a degree in music.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/take-five-with-chris-rob-chris-rob-by-aaj-staff.php |author=AAJ Staff |work=All About Jazz |title=Take Five With Chris Rob |date= June 13, 2007 |accessdate= February 10, 2018}}
Early life
Rob was born and raised in the South Side of Chicago.{{cite web|url=https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/chris-rob |author= |work=BRIC |title=B-SIDE: Chris Rob |date= September 8, 2016 |accessdate= February 15, 2018}} Through the early influence of his mother, a classical concert pianist and musical educator,{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/03/11/5-questions-for-craig-robinson/ |author= |work=Chicago Tribune |title=5 questions for Craig Robinson|date= March 11, 2009 |access-date= February 19, 2018}} Rob developed into a multi-instrumentalist playing the piano, electric piano, organ, drums, guitar, and bass guitar.{{cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-tom_paul-chris_rob |author= Tom Paul |work=Soul Tracks |title=Interview of Christ Rob |date= September 14, 2008 |accessdate= February 15, 2018}} Rob credits his mother, older brother Craig Robinson, and artists such as, Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone, Daryl Coley, Steely Dan, and DJ Premier as significant influences of his musical framework.{{cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-tom_paul-chris_rob |author= Tom Paul |work=Soul Tracks |title=Interview of Christ Rob |date= September 14, 2008 |accessdate= February 15, 2018}}
Career
Rob performed as the opening act at a pre-Grammy brunch sponsored by attorney Londell McMillan and the Artist Empowerment Coalition; and was also featured on both the ASCAP and BMI showcases in lower Manhattan.{{cite web|url=http://www.dromnyc.com/events/2419/soul-factory-presents-tre-williams-chris-rob-madia#.WoA5Fq3MzBI |author=Drom NYC|title=Soul Factory Presents: Tre Williams, Chris Rob & Madia |date= April 2007|accessdate=February 11, 2018}}{{unreliable source?]}} While on tour as the keyboardist and backup vocalist, he also took on the position of musical director for John Legend's 'Get Lifted' Tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/take-five-with-chris-rob-chris-rob-by-aaj-staff.php |author=AAJ Staff |work=All About Jazz |title=Take Five With Chris Rob |date= June 13, 2007 |accessdate= February 10, 2018}}
Chris Rob also performed with Stevie Wonder in Washington D.C. for President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities.{{cite web|url=https://www.bam.org/music/2014/chris-rob |author=BAM.org |work=BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) |title=Chris Rob Music |date= April 2014|accessdate=February 11, 2018}} In addition to his own solo shows, Rob directs the stage for classic hip hop artists including Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Black Moon, Talib Kweli, and The Real Live Show.{{cite web|url=https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/chris-rob |author= |work=BRIC |title=B-SIDE: Chris Rob |date= September 8, 2016 |accessdate= February 15, 2018}} He collaborates heavily with producers like DJ Spinna and Devo Springsteen.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/take-five-with-chris-rob-chris-rob-by-aaj-staff.php |author=AAJ Staff |work=All About Jazz |title=Take Five With Chris Rob |date= June 13, 2007 |accessdate= February 10, 2018}} Rob toured with Atlantic Records' artist Laura Izibor as well as his own older brother, actor/comedian Craig Robinson (NBC's "The Office").{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2015/07/31/office-star-craig-robinson-mines-music-teacher-past-for-new-comedy/ |author= Andrea Morabito |work=NY Post |title='Office' star Craig Robinson mines music teacher past for new comedy |date= July 15, 2015 |accessdate= February 21, 2018}}
He has also opened for or played with Prince & the New Power Generation, Elton John, Snoop Dogg, John Mayer, Ashford & Simpson, Jill Scott, The Roots, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Roberta Flack, Common, Meshell Ndegeocello, Cee-Lo Green, Anthony Hamilton, and Patti Austin.{{cite web|url=https://www.wbez.org/shows/morning-shift/chicago-native-chris-rob-returns-home-for-benefit-concert/3ff2980e-a28f-44b4-93f6-208574f03eae |title= Chicago native Chris Rob returns home for benefit concert |author=Morning Shift |work=WBEZ Chicago |date= November 23, 2015 |accessdate=February 11, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-tom_paul-chris_rob |author= Tom Paul |work=Soul Tracks |title=Interview of Christ Rob |date= September 14, 2008 |accessdate= February 15, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/chris-rob |author= |work=BRIC |title=B-SIDE: Chris Rob |date= September 8, 2016 |accessdate= February 15, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/take-five-with-chris-rob-chris-rob-by-aaj-staff.php |author=AAJ Staff |work=All About Jazz |title=Take Five With Chris Rob |date= June 13, 2007 |accessdate= February 10, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/chris_rob |author= |work=Soul Tracks|title=Chris Rob|date= March 3, 2008 |accessdate= February 20, 2018}}
His television appearances include The Grammy Awards, "Oprah", "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Office", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", The Soul Train Awards, "Entertainment Tonight", "Raymond is Laat" (Amsterdam), "Top of the Pops" (Amsterdam, London), and Jools Holland (London).{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/take-five-with-chris-rob-chris-rob-by-aaj-staff.php |author=AAJ Staff |work=All About Jazz |title=Take Five With Chris Rob |date= June 13, 2007 |accessdate= February 10, 2018}} Rob has released four studio albums and his latest single No Doubt was released in June 2018.{{cite web|url=http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/chicago-music-series-musician-chris-rob-performs/3651855/ |author= |work=ABC7 Chicago |title=Chicago Music Series: Musician Chris Rob performs |date= June 25, 2018 |accessdate= July 30, 2018}}
Discography
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of Rob's solo studio albums with complete track listings |
| style="width:8em;"| Title
! style="width:18em;"| Album Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob Vol. 1
|
|
| scope="row"| The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob Vol. 2
|
|
| scope="row"| Mental Notes
|
|
| scope="row"| Sound of Da Struggle
|
|
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.chrisrobmusic.com/ Chris Rob] – Official Site
- [http://www.myspace.com/chrisrobonline My Space] – Chris Rob's My Space Page
- [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Robs-Vicious-Keys/101043429955203 Facebook] – Chris Rob's Facebook Fan Page
- [https://www.youtube.com/chrisrob YouTube] – Chris Rob's YouTube Channel
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rob, Chris}}
Category:American male rappers
Category:American multi-instrumentalists
Category:Rappers from New York City
Category:Record producers from New York (state)
Category:Record producers from Illinois
Category:Songwriters from New York (state)
Category:Songwriters from Illinois
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)