Class of 2014 Success Stories: Where My Falcons At?

Rapper turned banker bleeds orange and brown

Blair, a proud, first-generation graduate and a telecommunications major with an entrepreneurship minor, recalled how he became involved in the project. He had received a call from Madhouse, a Toledo graphic design agency working with the Office of Marketing and Communications, about an opportunity to be part of a rap video to thank major donors who helped make the Stroh Center possible. They had heard his song and wanted to see more.

“I didn’t have any more music videos at the time, so I made up a rap for them on my webcam and sent it in,” Blair said. “They contacted me back the next week stating they loved it, and that I was the perfect fit out of the other rappers being considered.”

The video was shot the first week of classes at the Stroh Center and became very popular. It now has over 208,000 views on YouTube.

“I can honestly say the video has opened so many doors for me, and allowed me the opportunity to be interviewed by ESPN on live television.” Blair said. “Not everyone can say they’ve been interviewed on ESPN, or part of a video they called the ‘single greatest arena-themed rap video in the history of the genre.’

“I created the slogan ‘Where My Falcons At?,’” Blair said, “and it’s always good to see students wearing T-shirts with the slogan walking around campus.”

Besides his interest in music, Blair hopes to have his own TV show and business someday. He gained invaluable media experience through telecommunications opportunities working as a segment producer and talent on “BG on TV” and as a radio show host for WBGU 88.1.

“I loved working on ‘BG on TV,’ and the friendships I have made with the others students will last forever,” Blair said. “If you want to produce and shoot your own show or you have TV segment ideas, I highly encourage students to join ‘BG on TV.’

“Being a radio show host was also another great experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to host and air my own hip-hop station and interview musical guests while gaining lots of hands-on experience. Each of these organizations helped me personally and professionally because I’ve gained the proper knowledge to be successful in the media business, and have met some great individuals.”
 
Blair also gained job experience working as a student assistant in the BGSU Career Center. He credits the center with helping him land his first job after graduation with Quicken Loans, the largest online retail mortgage lender and the second largest overall retail lender in the United States.

“I really enjoyed working at the Career Center because it’s an overall great environment with great people,” he said. “Each and every one of the advisers in the center taught me so much, and I’m going to miss them all.

“This job has helped me grow because I have learned how to adapt in the work environment and be professional. Being around intelligent individuals who constantly provide you with great words of advice, and truly want the best for you, has been a great experience. Working there has also taught me skills to be successful in the workplace, and about being part of a team and family.”

While working at the center, Blair learned so many career-related tips that he came up with the idea to start an organization to share this knowledge with students. With the help of Jeff Jackson, assistant vice president for enrollment management and director of the Career Center, they created WAX (We Are Excellence).

“As a result of Rosco’s positive outcome with the Career Center, I am not surprised he has become one of our strongest ambassadors,” Jackson said. “His enthusiasm for the mission of the Career Center manifested in the creation of WAX, a student organization dedicated to helping BGSU students discover a greater awareness of self, career goals, and life purpose.

“Rosco is a young man of purpose, with endless talent, and blessed with uncommon altruistic behavior. It is my belief his profound thirst for knowledge and genuine disposition can only result in a life with an upward trajectory.”

Blair finds it hard to believe he’s graduating already, and will miss everything about BGSU, but he’s excited to be returning home to Cleveland and start working for Quicken Loans because he loves his city. “Quicken Loans is a great company, and I’m excited that I get to do something I enjoy in the heart of my city,” he said. “It’s going to feel good being around my family, and knowing that I’m working for a company with such a great reputation. I will get to help people, and build great relationships.

“I’m ready to go home, and give back to the people in Cleveland. It’s going to be exciting empowering the youth in my city, and teaching them some of the knowledge I’ve learned here at BGSU. I want them to know how important education is, and that there’s more to life than just Cleveland. I graduated from John Adams High School, a Cleveland Public School, and I hope to be a great example for inner city kids in Cleveland.”

Blair will start as an associate banker at Quicken Loans, and work toward a mortgage banker’s license. “I plan to tie all my talents together at Quicken Loans and in my future by continuing to keep God first and working hard,” Blair said. “I’m confident my humbleness, passion and work ethic will take me to the top of the company. I also plan on using the money I make from my job at Quicken Loans to invest in myself musically and pursue my dreams. Hopefully, due to the success of the Stroh Center Rap, you may see me on a commercial doing a rap for Quicken Loans. Stay tuned!”

Blair may be moving back to Cleveland, but he is a BGSU Falcon forever. “This is the best place to be if you want to experience college life to the fullest,” he said. “We have the most genuine people here at BG, and our school spirit can never be duplicated. I have learned so much and the education is top notch. People should know that BGSU is not just a university—we are a family. Once a Falcon, always a Falcon!”