ROCKJACOBS

Rock Jacobs is an American writer, director, producer and entertainment entrepreneur whose career spans music, film, television and branded entertainment. A graduate of San Francisco State University’s cinema program, where he graduated magna cum laude, Jacobs began his career directing music videos and, over more than two decades, has continued directing while simultaneously expanding into feature-film production, original television, international production and entertainment ventures.

His early directing work was rooted in American hip-hop. Jacobs directed Mistah F.A.B.’s “Ghost Ride It” during the rise of the Bay Area music movement. The video became an early viral success and received MTV “Jam of the Week” exposure. Its reach extended beyond music television when “Ghost Ride It” was shown on Fox News’ Hannity & Colmes.

Jacobs also directed Tiffany Evans’ “I’m Grown,” featuring Bow Wow, for Columbia Records. BET sent cameras to the set to document the production for a “making of the video” special, and when the video premiered, it climbed into the top three of BET’s 106 & Park countdown and held heavy rotation on the network.

Jacobs’ work with MTV expanded beyond individual music videos to Bay Day and Cali Day, programming focused on Northern and Southern California music and culture.

He later directed Wale’s “Bad Girls Club,” featuring J. Cole, with appearances by Rick Ross and 2 Chainz. Jacobs is also the writer of The Game’s “My Life,” featuring Lil Wayne, which has surpassed 300 million views on The Game’s official YouTube channel.

Jacobs began working internationally early in his career. In 2008, he led a 15-person American production team to Lagos, Nigeria, where he directed two music videos for Nero Records on 35mm film: Jay-Ru’s “Big Boi Anthem” and Drae’s “Omoge.” “Omoge” was filmed at locations including the Olumirin Waterfall in Erin Ijesa, while “Big Boi Anthem” received Channel O Music Video Award nominations for Most Gifted Hip-Hop and Most Gifted Newcomer and received recognition from MTV Base.

The United Kingdom became another important part of Jacobs’ directing career. In 2010, he directed Roll Deep’s “Good Times,” featuring Jodie Connor, for EMI. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart and remained there for three consecutive weeks. Jacobs continued working with Roll Deep, directing “Green Light” and “Take Control,” featuring Alesha Dixon.

His other UK and European work includes Tich’s “Obsession,” Tinchy Stryder and Calvin Harris on “Off the Record,” and projects with Cleo Sol, Mic Lowry and The Vamps. His work during this period crossed British grime, pop and electronic music.

Jacobs also worked extensively in Asia. He directed D’Hask’s “Tempat Ku,” a project developed with the late Prince Azim of Brunei and featuring Marilyn Manson, JoJo and Bai Ling. Jacobs continued collaborating with Prince Azim on additional projects. He later directed Ananya Birla’s debut international single “Livin’ the Life” for Universal Music Group, starring David Henrie.

Jacobs directed the official music video for Iyaz’s “Replay.” The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in the United Kingdom, while the official video has generated more than 350 million views on YouTube.

His music work has included projects with Kanye West, Marilyn Manson, Lil Wayne, The Game, Ice Cube, Ludacris, Wale, J. Cole, Big Boi, Killer Mike, Jeezy, Ginuwine, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Skrillex, Iyaz and Kirk Franklin, among others, as well as work for Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music and Virgin Records.

Jacobs directed Kirk Franklin’s “Wanna Be Happy?,” which earned him the 2017 Stellar Award for Music Video of the Year. His music work has also received BET and MTV recognition.

In 2023, Jacobs directed Tiagz’s “Tacata.” The release became another major digital success in his music career, generating more than 200 million views on TikTok.

While continuing to direct, Jacobs built a commercial and branded-entertainment practice through Rebel of America. His work has included campaigns and projects for Aston Martin, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Samsung, McDonald’s, Expedia and other international brands.

Jacobs founded Rebel Entertainment and expanded the company through Rebel of America, Rebel of Asia and Rebel Ventures. He opened Rebel’s Beverly Hills office in 2017. The company subsequently expanded its international production activities, including operations in Bangkok through Rebel of Asia.

Rebel’s work expanded into experiential and technology-driven entertainment, including an immersive project connected to Marvel’s Deadpool, as well as luxury campaigns involving Aston Martin, Bowmore and Sotheby’s.

At the same time, Jacobs developed a feature-film producing career alongside his directing and entrepreneurial work. His credits include Freud’s Last Session, starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode; One True Loves, starring Phillipa Soo, Simu Liu and Luke Bracey; Private Property, starring Ashley Benson; and Friedrich Moser’s documentary How to Build a Truth Engine, whose executive producers also include George Clooney and Grant Heslov.

He produced the 2026 horror-thriller The Cure, starring David Dastmalchian, Samantha Cochran and Ashley Greene. Jacobs is also a co-producer of Cassi, starring Dove Cameron and RJ Mitte and announced for release in 2027.

Jacobs has continued directing while expanding into original long-form nonfiction. He created, wrote and directed Lonely Fans, a seven-part investigative documentary series examining digital intimacy, para-social relationships, the creator economy and the business of monetized loneliness.

Filmed across six countries, Lonely Fans was developed and released independently through Rebel Entertainment. Jacobs subsequently took the series on an international screening tour, presenting it to audiences in New York, London, Bangkok and Tokyo. The screenings included red carpets, audience discussions and sold-out or standing-room-only events.

The series also received national media attention through Fox News Digital, which interviewed Jacobs in multiple reports about subjects investigated during production, including the growth of OnlyFans among college-age creators, the economics of the creator economy, para-social intimacy and safety concerns surrounding obsessive online relationships.

Jacobs also created and directed Better Than Sex, an eight-part culinary adventure series featuring Thai chef, author and television personality Chef McDang. Filmed throughout Thailand, the series is scheduled for release in 2027.

Beyond his entertainment work, Jacobs co-founded Mount of Angels and serves on its board, supporting mentorship, education and access to creative careers. He also serves on the boards of Foster Dreamzzz, which supports young adults transitioning from foster care, and No Simps, an organization focused on digital relationships, isolation and unhealthy patterns of online validation.

Based in Beverly Hills and working internationally, Jacobs continues to work simultaneously as a writer, director, producer and entertainment entrepreneur across film, television and music through Rebel Entertainment.