Manolo Rose

The rise of Manolo Rose plays something like a lost ‘hood Seinfeld episode. A dude in his 20s who only recently started making music is leaving a Chinese spot when he thinks up a possible banger. A locally known and established rapper hears of said record and proposes he gets in on it. It doesn’t work out like that. The rapper gives a paltry monetary offer and the twentysometing attempts to work something out. But soon, the established rapper—who’s Troy Ave, by the way—doesn’t respond to texts, and the other dude, Manolo Rose, decides to put out that record: “Dope Man.” As good as it is, the record doesn’t take off until Troy Ave jacks it and turns it into “All About The Money.”

It was lame turn of events that was bookmarked by Troy Ave awkwardly distancing himself from Manolo Rose once the backstory got out (through his manager, Troy Ave declined to comment on the situation). But it’s OK because it offered some free promotion and, hey, it turns out Manolo is a natural at this rap thing.