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He's well-known in hip hop, but what else do we know about him?
By Bernadette Giacomazzo — Written on Feb 03, 2020
PnB Rock is one of the hottest rappers in the game today. His career, while just starting out, is on the upswing. He has the world at his feet and limitless potential and possibilities — but he certainly didn't have an easy start in life, to be sure: after his father was tragically murdered, when he was still a child, he spent his time in and out of "the system," first in juvenile detention, and then in actual prison.
But his "big break" came thanks to his 2015 hit song, "Fleek," and pretty soon, he was steadily climbing to the top of the hip hop world.
Unfortunately, though, he made the news recently thanks to him totaling his beloved BMW in an illegal street race in Burbank, CA. Subsequently, he was arrested for suspicion of DUI when the police showed up to the scene (because while marijuana is legal in California, it's illegal to smoke pot while driving.)
So who is PnB Rock? Let's look at what we know about him — and about the horrible crash.
1. Who is PnB Rock? He's a Philadelphia native.
Born and raised in the notorious Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, Rakim Allen — known to the world at large as PnB Rock — was sent to a "juvie hall" at 14 because of his participation in robberies. At 19, he caught a full-fledged adult charge of drug possession and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
While incarcerated, he wrote songs for what would become his breakthrough mixtape, 2014's Real [Expletive] Bangaz. As his musical career took off, he seemed to leave the life of crime behind him.
2. He was featured on an Ed Sheeran song.
"Cross Me" is an album by Ed Sheeran that features the Irish singer-songwriter dueling with a series of rappers including Eminem, 50 Cent, and Chance the Rapper. Sheeran commissioned PnB Rock to face off against him, in the studio, on the titular song, which you can check out here.
3. He was one of the members of the 2017 XXL Freshman Class.
XXL Magazine has had its "Freshman Class" of hottest up-and-coming rappers every year since 2007. The covers, which are often credited with giving many up-and-coming rappers their "big break," features ten "artists to watch," though occasionally, the list will include either a few more rappers, or a producer or singer to be on the lookout for.
2017's Freshman Class featured PnB Rock alongside Playboi Carti and the late XXXtentation.
4. He was recently the victim of a death hoax.
Death hoaxes have become more and more common on the Internet, and PnB Rock was a victim of one such hoax not long ago. In December 2019, social media started buzzing with the possibility that the rapper was shot and killed, while he was buying Prada shoes for his daughter.
Later, it was revealed that the story originated from a "prank" website called Channel 45 News, but the news had spread so far and wide that PnB Rock himself had to get on social media to debunk rumors of his own death.
5. PnB Rock was arrested after totaling his car in an illegal street race.
After he raced his prized BMW in an illegal street race in Burbank, CA, PnB Rock hit a series of parked cars (apparently, at least 3 or more) before ultimately stopping his car. The BMW was totaled and when cops pulled up to the scene, he was arrested on suspicion of DUI because he "reeked of marijuana." Reportedly, too, he was racing with a Rolls-Royce Wraith — which got away without a scratch on it.
6. He was released on bail — and nobody else was hurt.
Crashes are always a very scary thing — and they're even scarier when other people involved. That was the case with PnB Rock's recent crash, where sources say that a woman was reportedly in the totaled BMW with him.
Fortunately, for all involved, she escaped with only minor injuries and wasn't arrested or charged with any crime. However, even though PnB Rock was arrested on suspicion of DUI, he was ultimately released on $100,000 bail.
We'll definitely keep you posted about any updates on the case.
Bernadette Giacomazzo is an editor, writer, publicist, and photographer whose work has appeared in Teen Vogue, People, Us Weekly, The Source, XXL, HipHopDX, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, BET.com, and more.