HC Rod is a rap artist originally from Portsmouth Virginia whose journey into music started without pressure or expectations. While in college, he began making music simply for fun with one of his friends. It was never meant to be serious at first. That changed when Zillionaire Doe inspired him to take his craft seriously and approach music as more than just a hobby.

Rooted in rap, HC Rod’s sound reflects both intensity and focus. Growing up, he played the Djembe drum, which helped shape his sense of rhythm and musical awareness early on. Those foundations still show in the way he approaches beats and song structure today.

His influences come from a mix of established legends and modern voices. Jay Z, 50 Cent, Jeezy, Young Thug, and Zillionaire Doe all play a role in shaping his mindset and sound. Each influence contributes to his balance of motivation driven lyrics and raw energy.

HC Rod’s journey so far has been eye opening. He has released one EP titled Divide and Conquer, a project that carries personal meaning. The name came from a period when his younger brother left for the military, creating distance between them. Instead of letting that separation feel like a loss, HC Rod turned it into purpose. The idea behind Divide and Conquer is simple. Even when separated, you can still win and move forward together in spirit.

The EP is built to motivate. Each track is designed to bring energy and focus, pushing listeners to face challenges head on and keep moving no matter what stands in their way.

One of the most memorable moments of HC Rod’s career so far was releasing his first music video for the track 2weeks. Seeing his music translated into visuals marked a major milestone and confirmed that he was on the right path.

Now, HC Rod is staying consistent, working on new songs daily and continuing to grow. His first live performance is set for February 5th in Hampton Virginia, marking another important step in his journey as he continues to build his presence and sharpen his craft.