By: Daniel P’Lopez
Photo by: Nicholas Eastman
Pretti Boi Roq, also known as Cory, was born and raised on the East Coast in a small town in North Carolina. Cory started college, majoring in fine arts, and worked at restaurants to make ends meet like most aspiring artists. Eventually, he realized he could work anywhere, so he packed up his car and drove across the country to California. In California, Cory joined a cabaret group called the Foxes, based out of Orange County.
Cory had to do a solo performance and admits he’s not the best dancer, so he asked if he could rap rather than sing. He covered Iggy Azale’s song Black Widow. Everybody loved it, according to Cory, so he started writing his own music and performing on stage, which spiraled into what is now known as Pretti Boi Roq.
Pretti Boy Roq says he got the idea for his stage name with the song Pretty Girl Rock by, Keri Hilsen. Pretti Boi Roq admits that he never wanted an Instagram, so his friend made him one with the given name spelling it with I’s. When he started rapping, he needed a rap name, so he just used his given Instagram name. Pretti Boi Roq grew up listening to rap, especially female rappers Little Kim, Foxy Brown, Missy Elliot. These were big influences growing up explained Pretti Boi Roq, in middle and high school when everyone was singing along in their cars Pretti Boi Roq would take on the rap verses. “When Nicki Minaj came out, with an amazing pop/rap hybrid sound everybody loved her, the gays the straights,” said Pretti Boi Roq.
Iggy Azale was also an influence on Pretti Boi Roq and when she came out, he realized that all different people in all walks and backgrounds can do this. It gave Pretti Boi Roq the push to start rapping. As with all journies, it wasn’t an easy ride; being an openly gay white man has brought challenges in the world of rap for Pretti Boi Roq. Rap is a straight man-dominated sport in general, but Pretti Boi Roq went outside the box by being true to himself. “Being gay and talking about gay topics, people look at it more like satire,” Explained Pretti Boi Roq.
Pretti Boi Roq is working on his first album, and really wanted to touch into the classic hip hop and pop elements and create a cohesive sound that is more than just booty shaking and being in the club. There are layers to Pretti Boi Roq, as an artist he explained himself. Pretti Boi Roq says he has his own elements when being asked how he differs himself from other gay rappers out there. Being from the East Coast and living on the West Coast gives him a different sound in general, because his sound is very southern.
What he writes about the diversity sets him apart because he doesn’t just rap about being a bad bitch. He raps about love and pop elements, and many things he brought to the table. Pretti Boi Roq is big on Ken Doll but kind of in a ratchet and sexual way. Pretti Boi admits he would like to collaborate with other up and coming artist and with big-known names like Nicki Minaj and Lil Nas X.
Pretti Boi Roq has lots to look forward to in the near future. He would love to continue with music and eventually write for other people as he started doing that in the beginning. Pretti Boi Roq is a workaholic and when he’s not working, he likes to have fun. He loves to work on music and write, he loves to physically work out a lot. “It helps with good mental clarity going to the gym and being alone, and doing his own thing.”
Cory loves to go to We-Ho on Tuesdays and do trivia night. Pretti Boi Roq has a new single out called, “My Ride” and is out now on YouTube.
Pretti Boi Roq admits he is single, his past relationship has given him ideas that came pouring out of him after their break up which became the layout to his new album coming out soon. Pretti Boi Roq has a lot coming out in the near future and is looking forward to seeing everyone.
To learn more about Pretti Boi Roq visit his website www.prettiboiroq.com
You can also follow him on social media @prettiboiroq