Troy Ave

Troy Ave, born Roland Collins, is an American rapper and producer from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, who took his stage name from Troy Avenue, a street in his neighborhood. He emerged from New York's independent mixtape circuit in the late 2000s, building a reputation through steady output and a hustle-driven approach that reflected the borough's street-rap traditions. His inclusion in the 2014 XXL Freshman Class marked a peak in his industry recognition.

Troy Ave's music leans on braggadocio, hard-nosed street narratives and a distinctly New York cadence, delivered across a large catalog of mixtapes as well as studio albums including «New York City: The Album» and «Major Without a Deal», the latter title reflecting his path as an independent artist navigating the industry largely outside major-label backing.

Beyond his recorded output, Troy Ave has remained a recognizable name within New York hip-hop for his consistency and his identity as a voice tied closely to Brooklyn street culture, continuing to release music and maintain a presence in the city's rap scene.