Rodney Chrome
Rodney Chrome | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Atlas |
| Born | Rodney Anderson Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Origin | New York City, New York U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | vocals |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Label | SONG Music LLC |
Rodney Anderson, known professionally as Rodney Chrome, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and producer from Little Rock, Arkansas.[1] His music spans multiple genres, including pop-rap, R&B, hyperpop, and electronic music.[2] His work also touches on themes of race, sexuality, gender expression, and intersectional identity.[3] Chrome has produced music for the Disney+ documentary series Growing Up and the Hulu series The Hair Tales.[4][5][6]
Early life
[edit]Rodney Chrome was born Rodney Anderson and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas.[7] He began writing and recording music at the age of 12.[8] He also trained in dance, studying Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, and Hip-Hop.[9]
Chrome later relocated to New York City to attend the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.[7] He graduated in 2022, and delivered the class commencement speech at Yankee Stadium.[3]
Career
[edit]Chrome initially released music under the alias "Atlas" while based in Arkansas.[1] After moving to New York City, he began an ongoing collaboration with Hyperpop artist Underscores.[1] His debut EP, Queer Pressure, was released in June 2020.[4] The project explored what it was like for Chrome to grow up as a Black queer man.[10] Zac Dov Wiesel directed the music videos for the songs "Pulpit" and "5 Starz".[10]
Chrome played at the 2021 Afropunk Festival in New York.[4] The same year, 300 Entertainment chose him as one of three Intern To CEO program winners.[9] Later, Chrome composed the score for the Disney+ documentary series Growing Up by Brie Larson.[4] His recordings were also featured in the Hulu documentary series The Hair Tales by Oprah Winfrey.[5]
In 2022, Chrome released the EP Ghetto Popstar Vol. 1.[4][11] Wiesel filmed the music video for the EP's lead single, "To the Money" in New York City.[12]
In 2023, Chrome released the single "Break the Internet".[5] He later won the Songwriters Hall of Fame - Abe Olman Scholarship for Excellence in Songwriting.[13]
In 2025, he released the EP GO.[1] The project included the single "BBL", which Chrome performed on the COLORS platform.[1]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | National Film Festival for Talented Youth | Audience Award | Pulpit | Won | [14] | |
| 2022 | UK Music Video Awards | Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video – Newcomer | To the Money | Nominated | [15][16] | |
| Young Director Award | Music Video | To the Money | Silver | [17] | ||
| Aesthetica Shorts Film Festival | Music Video | To the Money | Official Selection | [18] | ||
| 2023 | South by Southwest | Music Video | To the Money | Official Selection | [19] | |
| 2024 | Black Reel TV Awards | Outstanding Musical Score | Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop | Nominated | [20][21] |
Personal life
[edit]Chrome is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.[22] He identifies as queer.[7]
Discography
[edit]EPs
[edit]Singles
[edit]Videography
[edit]Music videos
[edit]- "To the Money"[18]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Rodney Chrome Wants You To Pay Close Attention". EARMILK. October 23, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "An Interview With: Rodney Chrome". Saint Audio. October 11, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- 1 2 "Rodney Chrome Is the Black Queer Artist Carving His Own Path Forward". Ones to Watch. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "INTRODUCING RODNEY CHROME AS HE BREAK THE INTERNET". Hashtag Magazine. April 13, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Rodney Chromes Premieres "Break the Internet" - PAPER Magazine". www.papermag.com. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Rodney Chrome Returns with "Break the Internet"". V Magazine. April 13, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Bianca Alysse (January 9, 2023). "Rising artist Rodney Chrome opens up about 'QUEER PRESSURE' and his next big dream". The Knockturnal. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "rodney chrome: we've been waiting for you". AFROPUNK. February 16, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- 1 2 Roberson, Vanessa (January 15, 2021). "Spelman Student Among 300 Entertainment's Intern To CEO Winners". HBCU Buzz. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- 1 2 "Onepointfour | Queer Pressure". 1.4. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Rodney Chrome fights and defeats the status quo in bold new video for "Break The Internet" – EARMILK". Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ Maitre, James (May 31, 2022). "To The Money by Zac Dov Wiesel // Music Video // Directors Notes". Directors Notes. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "BMI Congratulates its 2023 Recipients of the Abe Olman and Curtis Mayfield Scholarships". BMI.com. June 29, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Nov 2 2020 - NFFTY 2020 Award Winners". National Film Festival for Talented Youth. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- 1 2 "UK Music Video Awards Reveals 2022 Nominations". LBBOnline. 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "winners – music video genre – ukmva22". Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ↑ "2022 Winners". Young Director Award. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- 1 2 "Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2022". Issuu. Aesthetica Short Film Festival. p. 134. Retrieved May 25, 2026 – via Issuu Reader.
- ↑ "SXSW Sydney: full screen program 2023 | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games". www.screenhub.com.au. September 21, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ↑ "AwardsWatch - 'Genius: MLK/X,' 'Abbott Elementary' Lead 8th Black Reel Television Awards Nominations". AwardsWatch. June 13, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ↑ "8th Annual Black Reel Television Awards Nominees — Black Reel Awards". Black Reel TV Awards. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
- ↑ Papadatos, Markos (June 18, 2024). "Chatting with Ava Liv Mabry, Sierra Spirit Kihega, Rodney Chrome, Matilda Marigolds, and Molly Kate Kestner". Digital Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2026.