Dallas Blocker

Dallas Blocker
Birth nameNathan Blocker[1] June 6, 1984 (40)
Also known asDallas Blocker, Dallas
BornDallas, Texas, United States
OriginHouston, Texas, United States
GenresR&B, hip hop, pop
Occupation(s)Singer, producer, songwriter
Years active2004–present
LabelsLatium Records, TF Records
Websiteofficialdallasblocker.com

Dallas Blocker (born Nathan Blocker a.k.a. Dallas) is an American singer, producer and songwriter. After signing with Latium Records in 2004, Blocker later formed independent label Blockerboy Music LLC on which he released the EP Alone, the album Love and Lust (in Japan) and the Billboard chart hit "Rock Ya Body".[1][2][3]

Early life

Blocker was born and reared for a short time in Dallas, Texas by his mother, but later joined his father at age seven in Trinity Gardens – a Northeast Houston, Texas neighborhood. He began singing and performing in church at a young age, and eventually chose the stage name “Dallas” to acknowledge both the city in which he was born and his mother, a long-time Dallas, Texas resident.[1][4]

Musical beginnings

While acclimating to life in Houston, Blocker busied himself singing, learning to produce music and penning his own lyrics. While attending Kashmere High School and during college, Blocker was a member of a male R&B group, which included Brian Angel of Day26. The group environment allowed Blocker to use his skills as a songwriter, producer and lead vocalist to amass the interest of new fans and local music industry executives. He also was the choir director at Fallbrook Church[1]

Career: Collaborations

Blocker has collaborated with many noted musical artists throughout his career, including producer Bryan Michael Cox; lead vocalist of R&B group H-Town the late Kevin “Dino” Conner; rappers Bun B, Rick Ross, J-Dawg, Z-Ro, Slim Thug, Tum Tum, Lil Flip, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Trae; and several KBXX DJs. His work includes lead vocals, production and writing on "Get It Girl", which is featured on the Bring It On: All or Nothing music soundtrack, and "After Da Club" with the late rapper Hawk. It was this smash hit that allowed Blocker to forge a relationship with Latium Records, which hosts artist Pitbull and formerly hosted artists Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Frankie J, Natalie and Baby Bash.[1][4][5][6][7]

Career: Solo Efforts

In 2008, Blocker took control of his music career by establishing his independent label Blockerboy Music LLC following a year under contract, and later, a voluntary release from Latium Records.[1] With the release of Alone (EP) and the subsequent release of the Love & Lust album in Japan, Blocker soon headlined Japan's Save R&B tour in September 2009 and opened for R&B star Babyface at Houston's Arena Theater in August 2010.[2][3][8] In 2010, Blocker's smash hit “Rock Ya Body,” produced by Texas hit-making duo Beanz N Kornbread, debuted on Billboard’s Top 100 chart at #75 and was heard by more than two million listeners weekly with heavy radio play in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.[4][9] The single spent 20 weeks on the Billboard charts.[10] To accompany the single's wave of success, the “Rock Ya Body” video, which was directed by Michael Kimbrew in association with TF Records, was also released in 2010, and featured Farrah Franklin (formerly of Destiny's Child), Montana Fishburne and Orlando Brown.[11] In 2011, Blocker released the single “Out Da Club” featuring Diamond; soon after, the single's video—featuring Z-Ro and directed by JC Visuals in association with Blockerboy Music LLC—followed.[4]

Discography

Albums

  • 2008: Alone (EP)[12]
  • 2009: Love and Lust[13]

Singles

  • 2010: “Rock Ya Body”[14]
  • 2013: “Elevator”
  • 2013: “Heels Up”

Singles (Featured Artist)

Production

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Dallas Blocker". Last FM. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Alone – EP – Dallas Blocker – Listen and discover music at Last.fm". Last FM. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Dallas Blocker – Love and Lust". Listen MP3 Music. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d Serrano, Shea. "Dallas Blocker, Houston's R&B King Of The Hook Shots". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Dallas Blocker – Uncut – Mixtape Listen and Download". Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  6. ^ a b "GT Mayne Discusses the Future of the Deejay". Rolling Out. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  7. ^ Graham, Charne'. "A Q&A with Dallas Blocker". The Blvd. Retrieved 13 July 2010.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Dallas Blocker, R&B Crooner". HotStepz Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Bass, Mikey. "Dallas Blocker: Takin the Airwaves By Storm". Los Angeles Hip Hop. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  10. ^ Juon, Steve. "Dallas Blocker Celebrates Video with Week of Parties". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  11. ^ Po. "Dallas Blocker "Rock Ya Body" (Video)". Zimbio. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  12. ^ "Preview and download Alone – EP on iTunes. See ratings and read customer reviews". iTunes. 1 August 2012.
  13. ^ "Love Lust d Dallas Blocker d MP3MIXX.COM". MP3MIXX.COM. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  14. ^ "iTunes – Music – Rock Ya Body by Dallas Blocker". iTunes. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Mista Madd Down South Mp3 Download". mp3chief.com. Retrieved 3 March 2013.