Sole Free presents a conversation with Cory and Jaedon Rooney

Harlan continues the Sole Free conversation with series this week with one of the music industry’s “native sons,” Cory Rooney. Raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York by hit-making parents Herb Rooney and Brenda Reid of ‘60s group The Exciters, Cory’s own love for music was reinforced at an early age. Cory Rooney has an undeniable track record in the music business having created a historic legacy. Cory Rooney’s albums have sold over 100 million copies worldwide with many exceeding the 1 million records-sold mark.Cory’s star began to rise at Uptown Records in the late ’80s where he wrote and produced major hits like Real Love and Sweet Thing for the then-unknown “R&B Icon” Mary J. Blige. His success at Uptown drew the attention of Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola, who brought Cory to Sony where he served as Senior Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment. Among his many responsibilities, Cory was charged with identifying and developing new talent, guiding the careers of established artists, producing and executive producing projects in a wide variety of genres, composing material for new and established artists, and overseeing an array of writers and producers.During his tenure at Sony Music Entertainment, Cory wrote and pro- duced a slew of hit singles, including Jennifer Lopez’s Ain’t It Funny, I’m Real, and Jenny From the Block. He also worked with other multi-platinum artists including Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Marc Anthony, Jessica Simpson, Brian McKnight, Mandy Moore, Aretha Franklin, and many more. Cory has also guided multiple movie soundtracks including: Men in Black, Runaway Bride, The Nutty Professor, and Charlie’s Angels — for which he was nominated for a GRAMMY for writing and producing that year’s #1 hit single, Destiny’s Child’s Independent Women Part 1. The song was later named the 18th most successful song of the 2000s, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade. Cory’s success transcend the business world. He is a beloved husband and father whose son Jaedon has entered the entertainment world who’s appeared at many events and comic cons with his anime brand Zala the Cursed. In addition to stories of Cory’s career he and son Jaedon talk with Harlan about the importance of family in their lives.