Roc Marciano started his career in groups like Flipmode Squad and The U.N. before finding solo success.

Before his solo breakthrough, Roc worked his way through the New York rap scene. In the early 2000s, he was briefly a member of Busta Rhymes' crew, the Flipmode Squad. He even appeared on Busta's album, trading verses with members of the Wu-Tang Clan. After leaving Flipmode, he formed a hardcore underground group called The U.N. with his high school classmates. They released an album in 2004, but struggled to get mainstream attention. These early experiences pushed Roc to take total control of his music as a solo artist.