Barbados
School and church recitals, Junior Calypso and the early foundations of Hotta Flames.
ROD HURLEY · RODERICK HURLEY
ARTIST
SCHOLAR
ATHLETE
Born in Barbados and based in Brooklyn
Never one thing at a time
Rod Hurley is a Barbados-born, Brooklyn-based artist, scholar and athlete creating as Izza Natural Ting.
His public life began in music. As Hotta Flames, Rod became a singer, songwriter, DJ, performer and producer, performing across the Caribbean, Canada and the United States. The music carries messages of upliftment, education, love, culture and collective responsibility.
Then came scholarship and teaching. A graduate of Medgar Evers College, Rod is a doctoral candidate in Critical Social/Personality Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and has taught psychology at the College of Staten Island since 2017. His current research examines cultural gifts, success and belonging among Black male students and faculty at CUNY.
Running brought more places and people into the mix. Rod has completed 12 marathons across three continents, including the original six World Marathon Majors. His latest was his fourth New York City Marathon. He’s also an RRCA Certified Running Coach.
IZZA NATURAL TING
What happens naturally. A phrase Rod has carried through music, running and everyday life.
ALONG THE WAY
Hotta Flames
Songwriting, performance, radio, production and music-industry advocacy.
CUNY
Student leadership, psychology, teaching, doctoral work and public higher education.
12 Marathons
World cities, long training cycles, running communities and six stars.
Cultural Gifts
Rod’s original idea about the strengths and knowledge people carry from their communities into education.