Rob-O (born Robert Odindo in Mount Vernon, New York) is an African-American rapper of INI, who parlayed his childhood friendship with producer Pete Rock into a modest career as an MC. He is known for his deft, affable delivery, which conveys a preternatural self-assurance. His lyrics reflect a nominal affiliation with the Nation of Gods and Earths. Rob-O's debut recorded appearance is on the track The Basement, the fourteenth in sequence on Mecca and the Soul Brother (1992), the seminal debut album by the duo of Pete Rock and his creative partner CL Smooth. In 1995, he was heavily featured .