One of the music industries "native sons," his parents "Herb Rooney and Brenda Reid" were members of the'60s group The Exciters. However, Cory's musical DNA was only one part of a very talented equation. Raised in Jamaica, Queens in New York, his love for hip-hop was reinforced at an early age due to the geographic proximity of rap all-stars like Marley Marl, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC.
Cory's star began to rise at Uptown Records in the late 1980s, while writing and producing hits like "Real Love" and "Sweet Thing" by Mary J. Blige and "I'll Do 4 U" by Father MC. The success of these uptown anthems caught the attention of Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola in 1989. In 1994, Sony solidified its relationship with Cory by offering him a permanent position, and six years later, with the title Executive Producer etched on his bio, he is responsible for some of the hottest albums on the charts. Cory is listed as Executive Producer on Marc Anthony's album I Need to Know and all of Jennifer Lopez's albums. He has collaborated with Jessica Simpson, Brian McKnight, Mandy Moore, Destiny's Child, Aretha Franklin, R. Kelly, Nas, Cristina Millian, Thalia and Blaque.
Mr. Rooney began his association with Sony Music in 1992 with the formation of Soul Convention label, which was distributed by SMD. Even as the Soul Convention label enjoyed success with artists such as Prince Markie D, Mr. Rooney was pursuing additional, outside projects, such as writing and producing "Real Love" for Mary J. Blige.
In 1994 Mr. Rooney joined Epic Records as Vice President of A&R. During his tenure with Epic he played a key role in bringing such RZA and Stone creek Records, as well as Dave Hall, to the label. In 1996 Mr. Rooney was named Vice President of A&R of Crave Records, which was Mariah Carey's label. In this role he signed and produced such artists as 7 Mile and Allure.
Cory Rooney was named Senior Vice President, Executive Administration, Sony Music Entertainment in 1998. In this role he worked closely with the company's constituent labels, including Epic Records and Columbia Records, acting as producer for such artists as Blaque and as producer/co-producer and/or co-writer for such artists as Marc Anthony; Michael Jackson; Jennifer Lopez; and Jessica Simpson.
Cory knows how to take music from different genres and make them accessible to the masses. His vision has guided movie soundtracks ranging from the Nutty Professor to Men in Black to Runaway Bride, Charlie's Angels (2000) (song "Independent Women Part 1"), Bring It On (2000) (song "Bring It All To Me") and most recently, Be Cool.
In 2003 Cory was co executive producer of the VH-1 talent search reality show BORN TO DIVA.
Cory is a consummate producer and businessman, with unquestionable sagacity about things artistic and realistic.
