Rolla
David Shyheem Mims, professionally
known as "Rolla" (pronounced roll-ah), is the CSRA's adopted
son from north Philadelphia between 16th Susquehanna and Dauphin. Rolla
started out just only playing with rap when he was sixteen years old;
free styling for his friends and family. Then, in 1998 he formed a rap
group known as "Fort Knox" which consisted of him and two
other members. The group roared through the underground scene for a
while until they caught the eye of Lisa Bonet of Everyone's Envy Management
Group: but things didn't work out. Rolla, identified as a "Philly-bull",
fed off of what was seen in his surroundings. Rolla was heavily Influenced
and inspired by the likes of Gilly da Kid, Major Figgas, Most Wanted,
Beanie Seagle, E Ness, the Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z and his environment
(North Philadelphia, P.A. and Augusta, GA). Why does he call himself
"Real Rolla"? This is done in the memory of his O.G. Robert
"Real Rolla" Taylor told him to “keep ya head straight”.
Robert Taylor also taught him how to make good business decisions as
well as street moves. Mr. Taylor passed away in 2004 leaving his memory
living through Rolla. In 2007 Rolla moved to the south to get a fresh
start and go full-throttle at developing his musical career by performing
various features at shows and local open mics in the Augusta, Georgia
area. Soon after he began making appearances he was introduced to T.J.
Turmon (also known as SuperStar J), the CEO of SouthStarr Entertainment
(voted 1 independent label in the CSRA 2007). After recording a few
mix tape tracks with SuperStar J in the studio, Rolla basically put
all that he had all on the table and was recruited with a simple handshake:
and the rest is history. Exactly one year later Rolla released his first
single entitled "I Like" featuring Cuzzo. Rolla, soon after,
was privileged to shoot his first music video and receive a clothing
endorsement on behalf of Bellargo Piarge Couture
