Biography Damion Butler aka D-Roc
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Damion Butler is a notable talent manager, music industry
executive and film producer. Growing up in the tough streets of Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn,
New York Damion is known to most as D-Roc. He was the best friend and confidant to hip hop
legend Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G. who often referred to Damion as the “invisible
bully”.
Damion has been the instrumental “behind the scenes” force responsible in shaping the careers of
Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim and their respective rap group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.
In the early days, B.I.G. had just signed a record deal with Sean “Puffy” Combs’ Bad Boy
Entertainment when Damion and B.I.G. had an untimely run-in with the law. The two were on
their way home when B.I.G. caught a “gun charge” for a 45 pistol. When the police apprehended
the pair, Damion took the gun charge for B.I.G. and spent two years in jail freeing B.I.G. to
record his debut album, Ready to Die. The record became a Hip Hop classic and catapulted
B.I.G. to superstar status. When Damion came home, the two childhood friends went straight
into the studio to work on B.I.G.’s sophomore album, Life After Death. Damion then became
B.I.G.’s manager and handled all facets of Christopher’s music career and personal life.
After B.I.G.’s tragic death in 1997, Life After Death was released and went on to sell 17 millions
albums and became the best selling Hip Hop album in history. Damion formed Roc Management
providing talent management for B.I.G.’s protégés Lil Kim, Lil Cease and Junior M.A.F.I.A. He
also formed Roc Security, which provided security for music artists, entertainers and athletes.
In less than two years, Damion was able to successfully help produce Lil’ Kim’s sophomore
album Notorious KIM and Lil’ Cease’s debut album The Wonderful World Of Cease-A-Leo.
While he was working towards follow-up albums an unfortunate incident happened on February
25, 2001. A shootout occurred in “broad daylight” at New York City’s HOT 97-radio station,
the incident abruptly halted the lives and careers of everyone involved.
A high-profile Federal trial followed and proved to be the demise of the crew as it tested their
loyalty and friendship. This led to convictions and prison terms for various members of the
estranged crew. “Sometimes bad things have to happen in order for you to really see who your
friends are,” confesses Damion. In the aftermath, Damion co-founded Roc Darling Films and
continues to manage select talent along with his various business ventures.
His latest project is Biggie Smalls: Rap Phenomenon available January 2009 on Gold Dust
worldwide. For more information please visit www.biggiesmalls-rapphenomenon.com.
Gold Dust is part of !K7 Label Group.