Chris Rock is a stand-up comedian who first rose to national stardom when he appeared on Saturday Night Live in the late '80s and early '90s. The early '90s were Rock's popular heyday, when he frequently appeared in films; he released his first comedy record, Born Suspect, in 1991. When he left SNL, his popularity dipped, and for much of the mid-'90s, he had difficulty landing movie roles; when he did, no one went to the movies. Rock began concentrating on his stand-up work again, and by the release of his second album, Roll With the New, in 1997, he had become one of the most popular and best-reviewed comedians in America. 1999 saw the release of Bigger & Blacker. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide