Papi Chulo's BLOG proudly presents an exclusive interview series titled "In Bed with Papi Chulo." This series will feature the hottest stars in mainstream and adult media.
Rock The Icon (Born: January 27) has been in the adult industry for ten years. Rock made his porn debut as "Mr. D" in BSP Entertainment's D.C.'s Own Hometown Ho's 4. After a stint in the army, "Mr. D" turned into Rock The Icon ... the "People's Champion." Rock spent most of his initial porn career on the east coast. His big break in Porn Valley came from West Coast Productions.
Upon moving to the west coast ... the 35-year-old performer hit his stride. Rock has proven himself to be a consistent performer who always churns out a phenomenally hot scene. Rock The Icon has worked for some of the hottest studios in the industry (including Black Market, Black Ice, Evasive Angles and TT Boy Productions).
Standing 5'10, weighing 176 lbs. and packing 10 inches ... Rock The Icon is taking his success as a performer and heading behind the camera. Rock has a few projects ready for release that will showcase his talent as a director. He also is getting ready to launch his official website.
I sat down with Rock to chat about how he got into the adult industry ... the state of ebony and interracial erotica ... shooting on the east and west coasts ... his upcoming website ... and his future plans in the industry ...
Papi Chulo: How long have you been in the adult industry?
Rock The Icon: Officially ten years this past January.
PC: How did you get into the adult industry?
Rock: It's a funny thing. My first, very first, director grew up with my older brother. I ran into him one day and he told me he had a business. He asked if I wanted to make some real money. Prior to this I was dancing. I used to dance and he wanted to know if I wanted to make some real money. It wasn't until a week later, when I went to the house, that I saw firsthand what he was doing. A girl let me in, and I walked in on him filming. I kind of messed up the taping, because I thought people were really having sex. I was like, "Oh damn!" He had to do a voice-over, because it was all on cam. Next thing I know, he got me tested that same day and showed me who my talent was ... and a star was born.
PC: How did you come up with your porn name?
Rock: Well I started off with Mr. D. But, then I went into the military. I was in the army and I got into a fight with this guy. He punched me in the stomach and broke his wrist. My drill sergeant started calling me "Private Joe Rockhead." As I got ranked, the "private" dropped and "rock" stuck.
I came home one year with one of my battle buddies and he was like, "Rock" this and "Rock" that. Ted E. Bare from BSP Entertainment overheard it and was like, "Yeah we are gonna change this 'Mr. D' thing and use 'Rock.'" At the time The Rock was the hottest thing out. Everyone was quoting him. The whole nine. He started to make a porn version of him and I had to speak in the third person. Be very cocky. (LOL) Very arrogant. Smug. And I had a belt made that read "Worldwide Fucking Champion." The "People's Champion" moniker came from that. It was all homegrown.
PC: Were you always interested in doing porn?
Rock: I've got like 15 brothers. I'm the baby. So I grew up listening to my brothers talk about sex and what they would do. They couldn't do porn, but wanted to. Being the baby, I was extremely impressionable. I was always seeking their approval. Whenever they said they would try something (even stripping) ... where they stopped, I kept going. So here I am. Now they call me "Neo" from The Matrix. They say I'm "the one." (LOL) It's a weird relationship I have with those guys and I love 'em.
PC: What was your first day on a porn set like?
Rock: It was BSP Entertainment's D.C.'s Own Hometown Ho's 4. Black Diamond took my porn cherry. We shot and I listened to what was told and I did what came natural. Obviously it wasn't porn sex what I was doing. So, I had to go through trial and error. It was a long day ... I will tell you that much. It was a long day.
PC: Who has been your favorite starlet to work with?
Rock: Cherokee Da' Ass. Janet Jacme. Carmen Hayes. Carmyell. Miss Suckable.
PC: You have starred in a variety of scenes ... ranging from one-on-ones to threesomes to group sex ... Which of those do you enjoy shooting the most?
Rock: I kind of like the group sex scenes. The threesomes and the group sex. One-on-one is easy. Group sex to me requires more concentration. I come from a swinger background. I would go to Jamaican Hedonism, things like that. Being around other people nude doesn't bother me. Never has. I've always been an exhibitionist. It works in my favor. Directors tell me my group scenes are more over the top than my one-on-ones. So, I would have to say my group and threesomes (preferably two girls.) I don't care for gangbangs or two guys and a girl, because you have to
be more conscious of each others' boundaries. You have to respect space. But with two women (especially if they are bi) ... all bets are off. Any combination I like, and it will be OK. I will do 'em but it's not very high on my to-do list, as far as two guys or multiple guys scenes. I guess I'm selfish.
PC: What do you enjoy most about filming scenes?
Rock: Making fantasy ... reality. I look at what I do kind of like wrestling. You've got people who scream and holler for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. To see these guys in the ring, it's like nothing matters for that hour. Just them and their heroes. I look at what I do in a very similar light. I really can't compare myself to them, but I would compare what I'm doing to wrestling. I like drawing you in. If I'm a cop or a dirty cop and I'm telling a girl that I will trade her sex for her jail time, I want you to believe it. So, I have to speak the vernacular. If I'm a loving husband or a cheating boyfriend, I want to suck you in. I read an article that Laurence Fishburne caught a lot of hell for playing Ike Turner (in What's Love Got To Do With It?) for a long time. He
played the role and people frowned on him. If I got that kind of attention, to where viewers are like, "Was that really your wife? You look like you're a couple." If the scene was that passionate ... then I've done my job. That's what I love about my job. The people. The fans.
PC: What has been one of your most memorable shoots?
Rock: My very first time shooting with Janet Jacme. I had fought to get her on the set, you know? I made her squirt and she had never done that in the umteen number of years she was working. She thought I came in her and I didn't She jumped up and went up the stairs to check on herself. She realized it was all her. Her jaw dropped and stared at me for a long time. In the movie's behind-the-scenes, she was asked who her three favorite performers were. She said myself, Mr. Marcus and Sean Michaels. She also asked to have my baby. (LOL) So go figure.
PC: Describe the type of scenes you enjoy filming.
Rock: Wow they vary. It depends on who my talent is. I'm probably jumping out on a limb here. You will be surprised, but I've had to have sex with Beyoncé in my head because they girl they booked me with wasn't bringing out the energy my director needed. I pretty much had to play catch up to play the scene. Whether it was energy or lack of talking. The ones I enjoy are the ones that are really into the work. It doesn't mean they have to be necessarily into me. I know it's all acting. I'm the last person to believe I'm this sex symbol ... this big stud. The ones that really know their craft. The veteran girls that know exactly what they are doing are (you got some new ones that got their feet wet too) Mone Divine, Jazmine Cashmere, Janet Jacme and Carmen Hayes really give a show. The scenes come out better.
To answer your question fully, it depends on the talent. If I'm a cheating husband, the girl has to be the other woman. She has to give me what my wife isn't in the scene. It has to be passionate. A dirty scene. A cop taking a girl to jail. You've gotta give me the incentive to not take you to jail. It depends on the character and the talent.
PC: You have worked for a lot of popular porn companies (i.e. Black Market, Black Ice, Evasive Angles and TT Boy Productions) ... Is there a particular studio you enjoy working for the most?
Rock: I love working for Evasive Angles. And I love working for West Coast Productions and Black Ice and X-Level Video.
PC: You have shared some scenes with a lot of the top Black male performers in the industry ... Are there any male performers you have developed close friendships with?
Rock: Yeah, believe it or not my watching porn at such a young age, I kind of prefer some of the veterans. Byron Long, Devlin Weed, Sean Michaels and Mark Anthony. The older guys I sought after when I got out there. I learned from them.
I've become friends with J. Strokes. I've helped groom CJ Wright. Prince Yahshua and I are roommates.
I prefer the vets 'cause they teach me. Ten years in this, I'm still learning from them. I'm constantly asking Byron, Devlin and Sean for advice. My next goal is to start directing.
PC: How do you feel about the state of ebony erotica today? Do you think interracial's popularity is causing Black-starring porn to be overshadowed?
Rock: Yes and no. I have mixed emotions about that. I don't particularly care for when there is ebony porn titled "Black Bitches" this or "Ghetto Hoes" that. And then I look at white videos that are called "Sexy Debutant" or things of that nature. Then when you mix the two interracially, it's never derogatory, like "White Trashy Bitches." That pigeonholes us. Not just the females, but the guys as well. Lord forbid that the guys are tattooed up. The Silver Cinemas or Jenna Jamesons won't even touch you. When I'm at AIM, I see white girls
about to get tested. I'm like, "You are gorgeous. Do you do IR." They are like, "Oh no. I can't do IR, because my stock would drop." I'm like, what the hell? If they are caught doing Black and white porn, then the white companies would stop calling them? That totally fucked my head up, 'cause these same girls have Black boyfriends, but they can't be seen on screen with a Black man?
We as ebony adult stars are very pigeonholed. You only got maybe a couple (Jada Fire, Lexington Steele, Mr. Marcus, Sean Michaels and Tyler Knight), who have been able to crossover in that genre and be accepted. Some of us won't even get a second glance. I've been called before. The company thought I was someone else and booked me. I got to the shoot and then they canceled me, because it was an all-white cast.
I think we are pigeonholed as talent. Not because Black man's dick is better or fucks better. We have been held back a lot, because mainstream porn doesn't accept what we bring to the table. Sex is just a vagina and penis. Whatever a person's hue is doesn't matter. If you can pop on demand, keep wood and sell the product ... what's the issue? What difference does it make? It's not just an issue in porn, it happens everywhere. It's the life we live in, and I just deal with it.
PC: You have starred in Chatsworth Pictures' Oh No There's A Negro In My Daughter and I Can't Believe You Sucked A Negro ... Do you ever feel that interracial porn goes a little too far with the titles they give DVDs?
Rock: Yes I do. And the funny thing about that is, had I known that's what the titles were, I probably would not have shot that. A lot of the times, when we go on the set, you usually don't know what the title of the movie is. It has a title on the model release, but they don't give you the titles. They usually say, "We need you for an IR scene tomorrow." Had I known the title, I wouldn't have done it. Porn or no porn, I still have morals and I have dignity. I have self-respect. I think that was way too far to the left ... even for porn.
PC: How and when did you lose your virginity?
Rock: I was ten-years-old actually. I was 10 and the girl was about 14- or 15-years-old. It was really strange, 'cause my brothers were talking about they had just eaten out this girl and I'm thinking Jeffrey Dahmer and Hannibal Lecter. My bro literally had to show me in these books they had in the back of the drawer under the shirts. (LOL) They showed me what to do. I was bragging to the girlfriend I had at the time who was 11. Her older sister caught us and made her go outside. She took me to the back and made me eat her and she fucked me.
PC: What do you enjoy doing sexually?
Rock: I'm a vag-itarian. I love the reaction I get when I make a woman cum orally. That's the hottest shit in the world for me. It's an extreme exchange of power at that point. Once I get her there, I know I got her, so it's a wrap!
PC: In a scene ... where is your favorite place to shoot your load?
Rock: I would probably have to say the ass. I hate doing facials. I mean, you don't do that at home. I mean forreal. When is the last time you pull out and squirt on her face? I mean, it's crazy.
PC: In my opinion you are one of the industry's most underrated performers ... you churn out consistently hot scenes ... and each scene usually ends with a massive pop shot ... What do you attribute those large pop shots to?
Rock: I don't do a lot of sport fucking. Meaning I don't do a lot of sex personally. I save most of my sex for work. So, I'm not just out in the street taking people down. I'm a hit man. I'm an assassin. I have to hone my craft and my dick is my weapon. I can't give it to any and everybody. The day you have to simulate a pop shot for me, or I can't get one for hours at a day, I will stop performing.
PC: In a scene ... which do you enjoy the most? Oral, vaginal sex or anal sex?
Rock: Oral on me is my kryptonite. That's the fastest way to get my social security number, mother's last name. Only a handful of females can get me to that point. Oral for me is the highlight for me. Vaginal sex is the shit. I love it. The feeling is great if she has great Kegel control. That makes for a long evening. Anal I try to save for a treat. I'm not one of those guys that's asking for the booty. If my girl or the talent asks that then I will facilitate. But, it will never be, "Ooh can I fuck you in the ass?" I'm not that guy.
PC: Do most porn starlets find it difficult to manage that dick?
Rock: It's not on them, it's on me. I try to adjust to my partner. There are some girls who can only take 3/4 of me. There are some who have no problem at all. It depends on who I'm shooting with. Anally, I let women control depth and speed. I can't make it get shorter or thinner. I'm trying not to make it any wider, so I try to listen. A lot of guys in the industry are single-minded and only know "bang bang." A lot of times I will get called, size and all, to do anal. Especially if it's their first anal, because I have a little more patience than the average bear.
PC: Do you get into any kinds of fetishes?
Rock: Personally no. I don't have any fetishes. At work, I do what I'm told. I'm not into golden showers or feet fucking. Depending on what it is, it depends on what I do. In my personal life I'm very generic. Primitive, like a caveman. Ten years in and it's still very new to me. I still get excited when I go to work.
PC: Describe one of your hottest sexual encounters.
Rock: An ex of mine called me at work and told me that I needed to come straight home after work, no pit stops or anything. So me being me, I'm like, "Why? What do you want? Do you need me to bring you something home?" She kept reiterating that I come home. She's like, "Fuck it. Listen." I heard a second voice moaning and a squishing sound, like someone was having sex. "Do you need anything else? Come home or not." I tell you, if they had had red light cameras up, I'd be in jail. I came home so fast. Took off my clothes so fast I left burn marks on my pants. (LOL) My ex never said there was a bi girl there strapped to be literally with her legs up and she's down there man just doing her. And she's like, "You need to shower and come get this. Time to step the relationship up a level." Love her to death. That opened me up to my own sexuality. I was 17 going on 18. And she was 24. She had her own place. I owe her a lot. (LOL) I owe her a lot!
PC: Do you find it hard to be in a relationship with the type of work you do?
Rock: Extremely. Extremely. Because you have to deal with the Jiminy Crickets of the world. You have to deal with people in your ear, in your significant others' ear. And once the seed of doubt is planted, it starts growing like a weed. Everything will become questionable and everything is suspect. It's just very destructive. It's always one thing and it's something "this" or sounded like "that" or misconstrued "this" way. And because trust isn't there and the foundation hasn't gotten solid ... you lose everything. And it will be the destruction of your relationship. So, it
will be very hard. Extremely hard.
PC: What do you enjoy the most about the adult industry?
Rock: Believe it or not, I enjoy the fans. It's been my experience that the people out in Cali are fake as hell! On the east coast we call that "Hollywood shit." People make themselves bigger than what they are. The fans keep it 100% real with you 100% of the time. If they don't like you, they don't speak. They keep walking. Out here you have people that won't spit on you if you are on fire. But, when they are put in the same room with you they are like, "How are you? You are my boy!" Back home it's what we called that "Hollywood shit." That's why I kinda miss working at home.
PC: Since we are on the topic of the east coast ... Have you shot with any east coast companies recently?
Rock: I did some work for Bang Bros. And I did some work for Justin Slayer International in Miami. But, I haven't gone back to my roots because they haven't flown me home. I've been asked and I've asked to come home to work for X-Level, but I haven't gotten a response.
I've talked to Rayne Man, who is the camera guy and owned the company before selling it, about why the power-that-be haven't flown me home. So here's a story for you. When Lee G from West Coast Productions/Black Ice called me to fly to California to work, I called Rayne and asked him to ask the powers-that-be at X-Level what would it take to keep me home. I didn't want to go out west, so couldn't they make me an offer? Terry Burton from WCP asked to contract me. I had done so much work for X-Level and I hadn't been anywhere other than Georgia, New York and Philly to work. So, I didn't want to go to Cali.
My fam is in D.C. My dad was getting older. My mom wasn't feeling well. My son and daughter were there. I wanted to stay home. I asked, "Can you match what they are offering me? You don't have to match dollar for dollar. Just keep me here." They never called back.
They never ever responded, and that hurt so damn much. Because I know I brought revenue. Not only that. But also a fan base to that company. Notoriety. We were nominated at the AVNs. That's something that doesn't really happen for work that I did. I was in four out of the five scenes in that movie. So, I got to be doing something for the company, and they haven't brought me back.
I talked to Rayne and nothing has happened. People have been asking him, "Where's Rock? Why haven't you shot Rock?" So I challenge X-Level to put their money where their mouth is. Speak up! You know where to find me. Talk to Rayne Man. Bring me home. I want to shoot for X-Level. That's my home company. Why am I in Cali for 2 1/2 years, when I could be home with my fam? I am not blaming them. If I'm the People's Champ, how can I champion for the people of the east out west? I just want to go home.
PC: Do you have any plans to create an official website for yourself?
Rock: Yes I do. I'm in the process of shooting content and I'm almost done. I don't want to release the name of the site, because I want to launch it all at one time. It's definitely in the works. I can give you some of the names of who will be on the site. Carmyell, Cherokee Da' Ass, Skyy Black, Kelly Star, Sydnee Capri and quite a few others. I'm just waiting on a few scenes for it to be released.
PC: Are there any websites where your fans can view your work?
Rock: MonstersOfCock.com and Club Carmyell.
PC: How can your fans reach you?
Rock: There's MySpace and rocktheicon@yahoo.com.
PC: Is directing something you are interested in pursuing?
Rock: It's already in the making. I've got three movies in the process of getting finished, to be put on DVD, then be sent over to the internet.
PC: One of the most recent films you are in is Justin Slayer International's Law & Lust ... What can you tell me about that much-buzzed about film?
Rock: It's hot. It's a spinoff between Basic Instinct and Internal Affairs. You don't know who to trust, who is friend or foe, or where the next crooked cop comes into play. My character is straight-laced with a dirty background. I haven't done anything illegal. I'm a good cop that does bad things. I got above the law sometimes. My internal affairs counterpart is trying to get me off the force. There are lots of twists. I think fans will love it. You get to see me in a more diverse role. Ranging from intense cop to drunken stupor to someone very frenetic, panicky, anxiety attacks, passionate, regretful -- all in one movie. I get to be me. I think the fans will enjoy that movie.
PC: What are your future plans in the industry?
Rock: I want to direct. I want to teach. I know what Michael Jackson meant when he said, "Music is in me." Well porn is in me. I'm always coming up with a new way of doing something or a new concept. I've even given a few to directors that have been used. I get no credit, but it's in me. One thing I can say we do on the east coast is hustle. Any way to find money 'cause we had to. I had to work jobs. Plural. And do porn back in D.C. Out here I can just go to work and my rent is paid. Go to work again
and my cell is paid. Go again and my kid's get school clothes, car gets fixed, video games to buy. Money is here. Recession and all. It's not like that back home. You got to hustle. Be on your grind 24 hours a day. I actually kind of miss it. I had to work for my money when I was back home. (LOL)
PC: Now I am going to ask you 7 questions that I like to call ... "Papi Chulo's LIST" ... These seven questions have been asked to all of my interview subjects ... What are your Top 5 favorite television shows?
Rock: Boondocks. Family Guy. American Dad. Football and basketball.
PC: McDonald's Big Mac or Burger King's Whopper?
Rock: Big Mac.
PC: Disney or Warner Bros?
Rock: Warner Bros.
PC: What's your favorite color?
Rock: Black.
PC: What's your favorite sexual position?
Rock: All of them.
PC: What's your favorite curse word?
Rock: Something with fuck in it. Fuck. Fuck you. Motherfucker. Fuck it. I use it a lot.
PC: If you could be anywhere right now ... Where would you be?
Rock: With my kids. With my family. Wherever they are. With my family. I miss my family. I don't get to see home often.
PC: Well this brings us to the end of our interview ... Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Rock: If there's anything I can do to make the character "Rock" better in your eyes, by all means let me know. There is no me without you. I do this for you. And as long as there is a need for Rock, I will continue to keep doing it. As long as there is a demand for me to perform, I will. I will not for any circumstance be that guy to be on the set that needs to be dragged off. As long as the desire is there, I'm here. Everything I do is for you guys ... and that's real.
~Papi Chulo~
