Today we’d like to introduce you to Roderick Leak
Hi Roderick, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Roderick “Halfdolo” Leak one of Esports most up and coming esports players is a
Top World Ranked HC Dom Call of Duty player from Fayetteville, N.C. I’ve been playing
video games, creating music and rapping since the ATARI and used fishing and video games to escape the difficulties of growing up in a socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhood. I battled competitors in arcades all over Fayetteville N.C. until the first consoles were available. The Nintendo Entertainment System was the start. Then the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was available and by that time Roderick “Halfdolo” Leak was accepted to college at East Carolina University graduating from HS with honors. I started out on fighting games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter shredding any newcomer that wanted to challenge me in the arcades and it eventually moved to the dorms! All the while studying to become a Biochemist and eventually transferring to Fayetteville State University and finishing Pre-Med with a degree in Biology. When the Playstation system was introduced it took off from there. I practiced and played everyday until I was ranked top 100 in the world on Mortal Kombat vs. D.C. Then I was introduced to Modern Warfare 2 for the 1st time and was hooked! It wasn’t until Black Ops where I would join my 1st clan. Years later after realizing the need for serious Esports players I then created my own clan “ARK” A Royal Kingship. Halfdolo Gaming was officially started out of one man’s love for music and gaming. By this time I graduated from college moved to Los Angeles, CA. and became a biology teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. I would hear students talk about playing CoD and would laugh because I knew if they seen me in the lobby it would be curtains for them. I continued to teach and used music production in the class room along with rhymes to teach biology. The minute I got off work I was gaming. I found myself wanting to go higher and pursue my dreams. So, I went back to school to become a principal. I received my masters in education with an emphasis on cross cultural education and an administrative credential . Nevertheless, I continued playing with my clan “A Royal Kingship” Covid-19 Hit and the education landscape changed forever altering my life. I retired and went full time into esports. Since then I’ve been sponsored by Hexgaming controllers and have achieved over 1,000,000 kills in Call of Duty, Top 100 in the world & Top 10 in the United States in kills & wins. I have been voted as Gamer of the year by many of my peers & followers. So, to make it to here in this interview as Voyager’s Esports gamer of the year is an accomplishment to me in itself! I was recently tapped to be a panelist at The LVL UP Expo 2024 in Las Vegas, NV discussing Education, Esports & Representation Matters. I spoke about the need for more representation in Esports for not only Black Esports players like myself but for Lady Gamers/Girl Gamers and the Native American Indigenous Esports players as well. I’ve also been featured in The House of NOHO Podcast with host celebrity master barber Julian Payne who is the barber to many celebrities and was the barber to NBA great Kobe Bryant set to be released on YouTube very soon. Lastly, I’ve been notified one of the songs that I recorded is on the soundtrack for a film that was executive produced by Ice-T and filmmaker Terry C. Carney Sr. a critically acclaimed film and an official selection of the Marina Del Rey Film festival.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been extremely difficult getting representation. No matter how many kills I get or the accolades. I deserve more and receiving the visibility has been tough. This visibility is necessary streaming on platforms like Twitch, TikTok, YouTube etc. this increases opportunity for management and financial increase. Receiving brand deals, movie and T.V. deals etc. The visibility I’ve received hasn’t been fair for esports players like me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I seen the drop down menu and thought I’m all 3 of those. I’m professional , I want to create a business that is very artistic. I believe in creating a multi ethnic social impact team including but not limited to an all female content creators team, Native American Indigenous creators team with areas of focus on gaming, entertainment, lifestyle, equity, creative content, gaming, casual & competitive. Coaching each team to championships that change the esports representation modality and increasing the opportunities for these specific groups.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Playstation Network App, House of Noho Podcast, Holy Bible, Will by Will Smith, Charlie Intel
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spraygang.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halfdologaming
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halfdologaming
- Twitter: https://x.com/halfdolo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/halfdolo
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@halfdolo
