Chris Rob

Chris Rob, born Christopher Robinson, is an American musician, originally from Chicago,^[1] who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.^[2] Rob, the younger brother of actor-comedian Craig Robinson, attended Roosevelt University in Chicago and earned a degree in music.^[3]

Chris Rob
The Brooklyn Academy of Music, April 2014
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Robinson
Born	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop R&B soul funk
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter producer
Instrument(s)	Vocals piano guitar drums
Years active	2002–present
Website	chrisrobmusic.com

Early life

Rob was born and raised in the South Side of Chicago.^[4] Through the early influence of his mother, a classical concert pianist and musical educator,^[5] Rob developed into a multi-instrumentalist playing the piano, electric piano, organ, drums, guitar, and bass guitar.^[6] 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.^[7]

Career

 

Chris Rob performing in Harlem, NY in August 2015

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.^[8]{{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.^[9]

Chris Rob also performed with Stevie Wonder in Washington D.C. for President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities.^[10] 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.^[11] He collaborates heavily with producers like DJ Spinna and Devo Springsteen.^[12] Rob toured with Atlantic Records' artist Laura Izibor as well as his own older brother, actor/comedian Craig Robinson (NBC's "The Office").^[13]

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.^{[14][15][16][17][18]}

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 Jules Holland (London).^[19] Rob has released four studio albums and his latest single No Doubt was released in June 2018.^[20]

Discography

List of Rob's solo studio albums with complete track listings

Title	Album Details
The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob Vol. 1	Release Year: 2003 Track List: Prelude Said You'd Never Leave Me Make Love Tonight Dance With Me Tell 'Em Jessie Bell Naima Said You'd Never Leave Me (Live at S.O.B.'s, New York) Tell 'Em (Live at S.O.B.'s, New York)
The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob Vol. 2	Release Year: 2008 Track List: Codeword featuring Nemiss Take Time Creepin (Into My Mind) Ghetto People Good Girl, Hood Girl) Til We Had Sexxx Call U Dirty Movie (Live at The Temple Bar, L.A.) U Can't Run (Live at Bowery Poetry Club, N.Y)
Mental Notes	Release Year: 2010 Track List: Not Guilty Sex.Money. & Drugs Waiting 4 You Check Out Dat Body Take Time Everyday 3 AM Sailing
Sound of Da Struggle	Release Year: 2016 Track List: Hold On She's on the Move Taking Too Long The War Inside For Colored Boys (featuring Talib Kweli & M.O.E Money)^[21] Special Lady Love You Up

References

1. Marbury, Donna (November 13, 2005). "Chris Rob: Ready For The World". All Hip Hop. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
2. Jam, Kitten (January 23, 2013). "Chris Rob Wants To Go 'Deep Inside'". SoulBounce. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
3. AAJ Staff (June 13, 2007). "Take Five With Chris Rob". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
4. "B-SIDE: Chris Rob". BRIC. September 8, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
5. "5 questions for Craig Robinson". Chicago Tribune. March 11, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
6. Tom Paul (September 14, 2008). "Interview of Christ Rob". Soul Tracks. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
7. Tom Paul (September 14, 2008). "Interview of Christ Rob". Soul Tracks. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
8. Drom NYC (April 2007). "Soul Factory Presents: Tre Williams, Chris Rob & Madia". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
9. AAJ Staff (June 13, 2007). "Take Five With Chris Rob". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
10. BAM.org (April 2014). "Chris Rob Music". BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music). Retrieved February 11, 2018.
11. "B-SIDE: Chris Rob". BRIC. September 8, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
12. AAJ Staff (June 13, 2007). "Take Five With Chris Rob". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
13. Andrea Morabito (July 15, 2015). "'Office' star Craig Robinson mines music teacher past for new comedy". NY Post. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
14. Morning Shift (November 23, 2015). "Chicago native Chris Rob returns home for benefit concert". WBEZ Chicago. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
15. Tom Paul (September 14, 2008). "Interview of Christ Rob". Soul Tracks. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
16. "B-SIDE: Chris Rob". BRIC. September 8, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
17. AAJ Staff (June 13, 2007). "Take Five With Chris Rob". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
18. "Chris Rob". Soul Tracks. March 3, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
19. AAJ Staff (June 13, 2007). "Take Five With Chris Rob". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
20. "Chicago Music Series: Musician Chris Rob performs". ABC7 Chicago. June 25, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
21. EatsBeatsNLife (October 21, 2016). "Chris Rob Presses On 'For Colored Boys'". SoulBounce. Retrieved February 10, 2018.

External links

• Chris Rob – Official Site
• My Space – Chris Rob's My Space Page
• Facebook – Chris Rob's Facebook Fan Page
• YouTube – Chris Rob's YouTube Channel