Pete Rock, born Peter O. Phillips on June 21, 1970, is an influential American record producer, DJ, and rapper known for shaping the sound of 1990s East Coast hip hop. Rising to fame as one half of Pete Rock and CL Smooth, he gained a reputation for innovative production and standout remixes. Renowned for blending jazz elements into hip hop, Pete Rock is often mentioned alongside legends like DJ Premier, RZA, and Q-Tip. He has continued to earn global respect through his solo career and is connected to the hip hop world as the brother of Grap Luva and cousin of Heavy D.