Pete Rock, born Peter Phillips, is an American producer, DJ and rapper from New York who became one of the defining figures of 1990s East Coast hip-hop. First known as part of the duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, he developed a production style built around soul and jazz samples, warm bass lines and precise rhythms that helped shape the boom bap sound. With projects such as Mecca and the Soul Brother, The Main Ingredient and Soul Survivor, Pete Rock became one of the most respected and influential producers in hip-hop history.