Remembering PnB Rock: The Philadelphia Star Who Helped Bridge the Gap Between Hip-Hop and R&B

#NOLAZINE - There was a period in hip-hop when you couldn't turn on the radio or scroll through a playlist without hearing the melodic sound that was taking over the industry. One of the artists at the center of that movement was PnB Rock.

Born Rakim Hasheem Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PnB Rock developed a style that blurred the lines between rapper and singer. He could deliver street records, relationship songs and emotional music without sounding like he was forcing himself into either hip-hop or R&B.

For fans who watched his journey from Philadelphia to national stardom, PnB Rock represented something bigger than a few hit records. His rise showed how an artist could turn pain, struggle and real-life experiences into music capable of reaching millions.

Sadly, his career and life were cut short when he was killed in Los Angeles on September 12, 2022. He was only 30 years old.

Today, we remember PnB Rock, his journey, his music and the impact he left behind.

Growing Up in Philadelphia

PnB Rock's road to success wasn't easy.

He grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and experienced hardship at an early age. His father was killed when PnB Rock was still a young child, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings.

As he got older, he found himself dealing with trouble and eventually spent time in juvenile detention and later prison.

Those experiences would become an important part of his music.

The name PnB Rock itself represented where he came from. "PnB" stood for Pastorius and Baynton, streets near where he grew up in Philadelphia.

Instead of hiding his past once success arrived, PnB Rock incorporated his experiences into his identity as an artist.

Turning His Life Into Music

After being released from prison, PnB Rock began taking music more seriously.

He released his Real Ngga Bangaz* mixtape in 2014, beginning the process of building a following outside his immediate neighborhood.

What separated him from many rappers emerging at the time was his voice.

PnB Rock wasn't simply rapping over beats. He was singing, harmonizing and using melodies while still maintaining the perspective of someone who came from the streets.

That combination eventually attracted the attention of Atlantic Records.

His life was beginning to change.

"Selfish" Changed Everything

Every artist hopes to create that one record that takes their career to another level.

For PnB Rock, that song was "Selfish."

Released in 2016, "Selfish" introduced PnB Rock to a much larger audience and eventually reached No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The record demonstrated exactly what made him special.

It wasn't traditional R&B.

It wasn't traditional rap.

It existed somewhere between the two.

PnB Rock's melodic delivery made the record appealing to hip-hop listeners while its relationship-centered subject matter helped it connect with R&B audiences.

"Selfish" became his signature record and remains one of the songs most closely associated with his career.

Becoming One of Hip-Hop's Most Recognizable Melodic Voices

Following "Selfish," PnB Rock's career continued growing.

He appeared on YFN Lucci's "Everyday We Lit," another major record that became one of the defining songs of that period in Southern hip-hop.

He also collaborated with numerous major artists throughout his career, including Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Meek Mill, XXXTentacion, Chance the Rapper and Ed Sheeran, among others.

In 2017, PnB Rock was selected for XXL's Freshman Class, putting him alongside several artists expected to represent hip-hop's next generation.

That same year he released Catch These Vibes, featuring songs such as "Issues," "Lowkey" and "Scrub."

PnB Rock was no longer simply a promising Philadelphia artist.

He had become a national name.

TrapStar Turnt PopStar

One of the best descriptions of PnB Rock's career came directly through the title of his 2019 album:

TrapStar Turnt PopStar.

That title represented his entire musical journey.

He had come from difficult circumstances in Philadelphia, made music rooted in street experiences and transformed himself into an artist capable of creating records for mainstream audiences.

The project included collaborations with artists such as Lil Durk, Tee Grizzley, Quavo, Diplo, Tory Lanez, A Boogie wit da Hoodie and XXXTentacion.

The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, becoming PnB Rock's highest-charting album.

For someone whose journey began with incarceration and independently releasing music, reaching the Top 5 of the Billboard albums chart was a major accomplishment.

"Dangerous" With Meek Mill

PnB Rock also represented Philadelphia whenever the opportunity presented itself.

One memorable example was his collaboration with fellow Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill on "Dangerous," which also featured Jeremih.

The song appeared on Meek Mill's 2018 album Championships and became another major record associated with PnB Rock.

His presence on songs like "Dangerous" showed why other artists frequently called upon him for hooks and melodic features.

PnB Rock could walk into a record and immediately make it more memorable.

That ability is extremely valuable in hip-hop.

His Connection With XXXTentacion

Another important chapter in PnB Rock's career was his relationship with XXXTentacion.

Following XXXTentacion's death in 2018, PnB Rock appeared on the posthumous song "BAD VIBES FOREVER" alongside Trippie Redd.

PnB Rock had developed relationships with many younger artists and wasn't afraid to collaborate across different styles of music.

That willingness helped his sound remain relevant as hip-hop rapidly changed throughout the late 2010s.

A Sound That Helped Define an Era

Today, melodic rap is everywhere.

Many of the biggest artists in hip-hop freely move between singing and rapping without worrying about being placed into one category.

But during PnB Rock's rise, that sound was still developing into the dominant force it would eventually become.

Artists such as PnB Rock, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Young Thug, Future and others helped create an environment where rappers could become successful through melody without abandoning hip-hop.

PnB Rock had his own version of that formula.

His voice was recognizable almost immediately.

Whether you heard him on his own song or as a featured artist, you knew it was PnB Rock.

That is one of the hardest things for any artist to accomplish.

The Tragic Day That Changed Everything

On September 12, 2022, the music world received devastating news.

PnB Rock was shot during a robbery while eating at Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles.

He was transported to the hospital but did not survive.

PnB Rock was only 30 years old.

The news spread quickly throughout hip-hop.

Artists, fans and people who had worked with him began sharing memories and paying tribute to someone whose career still seemed to have so much potential ahead of it.

His death also sparked larger conversations about the dangers successful rappers can face, particularly when expensive jewelry, fame and public locations intersect.

But PnB Rock's story should never be reduced solely to the circumstances surrounding his death.

His life was bigger than the way it ended.

Remember the Music

When an artist dies young, sometimes the tragedy begins to overshadow everything they accomplished.

That shouldn't happen with PnB Rock.

Remember "Selfish."

Remember his contribution to "Everyday We Lit."

Remember "Dangerous."

Remember Catch These Vibes.

Remember TrapStar Turnt PopStar.

Remember the collaborations, the melodies and the unmistakable voice.

Most importantly, remember the journey.

PnB Rock went from experiencing serious hardships in Philadelphia to becoming an internationally recognized recording artist.

He turned his experiences into music.

He built a fan base.

He created records that millions of people connected with.

And he helped push forward a style of melodic hip-hop that continues dominating the industry today.

PnB Rock's Legacy Lives On

PnB Rock was only beginning to enter the next stage of his career when his life was taken.

We will never know exactly where his music would have gone next.

Maybe he would have leaned further into R&B.

Maybe he would have continued evolving as a rapper.

Maybe he would have developed younger artists.

Maybe he would have eventually become one of Philadelphia's elder statesmen in hip-hop.

What we do know is what he accomplished with the time he had.

From Pastorius and Baynton in Philadelphia to the Billboard charts, PnB Rock created a journey that millions witnessed.

His voice became part of the soundtrack of the late 2010s.

His songs still live on.

His fans continue playing his music.

And every time "Selfish" comes through the speakers, another generation gets an opportunity to hear what made him special.

Rest in peace, PnB Rock.

Gone at only 30 years old, but the music, memories and impact of Rakim Hasheem Allen will continue living on.