| Roc-A-Fella Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1994; 31 years ago (1994) |
| Founder | Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter Damon "Dame" Dash Kareem "Biggs" Burke |
| Defunct | 2013; 12 years ago (2013) |
| Status | Defunct |
| Distributors |
|
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City |
Roc-A-Fella Records was an Americanrecord label and music management company founded in 1994 by record executives and entrepreneursDamon Dash,Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, andKareem "Biggs" Burke.[1] Carter issued his debut album,Reasonable Doubt (1996), as the label's first release, in a joint venture withPriority Records. The label signed and released albums for acts includingKanye West,Memphis Bleek,Jadakiss,DJ Clue?,State Property, andThe Diplomats before its dissolution in 2013.[2][3]
Roc-A-Fella Records was founded in 1994.[4] AfterShawn "Jay-Z" Carter had been rejected by major record labels, it began as an independent outlet for the rapper's debut album. Carter,Damon Dash andKareem Burke started the label throughPriority Records, using finances fromPayday Records due to their singles-only deal.[5][6] The name "Roc-A-Fella" was conceived by rapperTone Hooker as a double entendre forRockefeller and a rapper dominating his opponent ("rocking a fella").[7] ThoughReasonable Doubt (1996) didn't earn immediate commercial success, it spawned successful singles and earned Jay-Z regional popularity in hip hop. Starting out as Roc-A-Fella's only artist, Jay-Z was supported bythe Notorious B.I.G.'s producerDJ Clark Kent andCamp Lo's producerDJ Ski; affiliated rappers,Sauce Money,Jaz-O, and a youngMemphis Bleek, though only Memphis Bleek would eventually sign with the label.
In June 1997, Roc-A-Fella agreed to a 50/50 partnership and distribution deal withDef Jam Recordings. In November 1997, Roc-A-Fella released their first two albums under Def Jam's distribution, Jay-Z's sophomore album,In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, as well as R&B duoChristión's debut and only album for the label,Ghetto Cyrano, on the same day. Roc-A-Fella and Jay-Z saw increasing popularity, mainly due to a high-profile appearance by Jay on The Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumousLife After Death, complete with Roc-A-Fella and Damon Dash references. While Memphis Bleek signed with Roc-A-Fella, Sauce Money chose to pursue a deal with Priority, and Jaz-O refrained from signing anywhere and provided production for only one song onIn My Lifetime, Vol. 1, "Rap Game/Crack Game." Despite Jaz-O not signing to Roc-A-Fella, he became Memphis Bleek's manager. In 1998, Roc-A-Fella Records released the movieStreets Is Watching and the accompanyingsoundtrack; the film compiles various Jay-Z videos into a continuous story, and the album introduced more affiliated, future Roc-A-Fella Records acts likeNoreaga,M.O.P., andDJ Clue, as well as producerIrv Gotti and the short-lived group,Murder Inc. (namesake of Irv's record label,Murder Inc.).
Jay's 1998 album,Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, saw him largely depart from his previous entourage and venture forth with producersSwizz Beatz,Timbaland,The 45 King andJermaine Dupri.Vol. 2 spawned his first major hit, "Hard Knock Life", and became the label's first Platinum-RIAA certified release; it was the last Roc-A-Fella release to see appearances by Jaz-O or Sauce Money, and the first to feature new Roc artistsBeanie Sigel andAmil. The label closed out 1998 with the December release of DJ Clue's debut album,The Professional, which saw guest appearances from Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, and an appearance from future Roc-A-Fella artistCam'ron. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, making DJ Clue the first other than Jay-Z to achieve platinum status. Meanwhile, DJ Ski had, at the time, formed the production company Roc-A-Blok, although the company folded when Ski moved out of New York to take a break from music.[8]
In August 1999, Memphis Bleek released his debut albumComing of Age through Roc-A-Fella. The album was executive produced by Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Damon Dash, and Jay-Z, and featured guest appearances from Roc-A-Fella artists Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z, as well as Dark Half and Da Ranjahz, who were signed to the label's subsidiary, The Carter Foundation. Despite their contributions, both Dark Half and Da Ranjahz eventually parted ways with The Carter Foundation. While Coming of Age didn’t reach the same level of success as Jay-Z’s albums, it achieved Gold status in the U.S., driven by the single "What You Think of That" featuring Jay-Z. Jay-Z's 1999 albumVol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter continued Jay's new affiliations with then-popular producers; in 2000, the label saw a redefinition in both sound and roster. Jay-Z put outThe Dynasty: Roc La Familia as a solo album. Originally intended to be a collaboration project, it nonetheless featured heavy appearances by Beanie Sigel, Amil, and Memphis Bleek, along with a Philly rapperFreeway guest spot that led to him being signed to Roc-A-Fella. Rather than return to Timbaland or Swizz Beatz for production, Jay selected beats from a new crop of producers:Kanye West,Bink,The Neptunes andJust Blaze. Each beat-smith would go on to become consistently involved in future Roc-A-Fella projects.
The new decade saw Roc-A-Fella begin to expand beyond one figurehead artist. Although Jay-Z remained the label's prominent image—with the acclaimed[9] release ofThe Blueprint and the closing of his trial for the 1999 stabbing of producerLance Rivera[10]—other Roc artists began to gain popularity and acceptance. In 2000, Beanie Sigel releasedThe Truth and reached #5 on the Billboard charts, DJ Clue releasedThe Professional 2, and Memphis Bleek releasedThe Understanding. Although Clue and Beans's albums hit the top five on the Billboard charts, Bleek's album was in the top twenty. Nonetheless, all three albums were certified Gold by the RIAA. Amil's album, however, had lackluster sales. Jay-Z and Damon Dash began signing up new talent, including Freeway, and several young Philadelphia rappers that were later compiled into the Freeway/Sigel-led group,State Property. During this time, Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel were embroiled in a feud withRuff Ryders artistsJadakiss andDMX. Disses back and forth between Jay-Z and Jadakiss implied a conflict between Jay and former groupmate DMX, led to a full-on war of words between Sigel and Kiss, and eventually culminated in a diss by Beanie Sigel over Jada's hit "Put Your Hands Up," after which the rivalry faded.[11] On December 4, 2001 (Jay-Z's 32nd birthday), it was announced and confirmed that rapperCam'ron had signed to Roc-A-Fella through his connection withDamon Dash. After Cam'ron was signed, his rap groupThe Diplomats as well as Diplomats membersJuelz Santana andJimmy Jones also signed to Roc-A-Fella as well.
In January 2002, Roc-A-Fella released the film,State Property. It starred Roc-A-Fella acts Damon Dash, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Rell, Memphis Bleek, and DJ Clue. The title of became the namesake for both the Philadelphia basedState Property and Rocawear's subsidiary clothing line. Upon signing to Roc-A-Fella, Cam'ron reached a new commercial peak. In May, Cam'ron released his Roc-A-Fella debutCome Home With Me. The album featured guest appearances from Roc-A-Fella artists Jimmy Jones, Juelz Santana, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, and Jay-Z, and featured production from Roc-A-Fella's in house producers Just Blaze andKanye West. It featured two hit singles "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma" (both featuring Juelz Santana), which both peaked in the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the moderately successful third single "Daydreaming". The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over a million copies in America. From 2002 to 2003, Damon Dash signed several artists in response to Jay-Z's talk of retirement after his 2002 albumThe Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse. He signedM.O.P. andOl' Dirty Bastard and attempted to signTwista andJoe Budden. Twista never signed to Roc-A-Fella due to his deal withAtlantic Records. Roc-A-Fella experienced its height in product releases and overall popularity as a brand name during this period. On March 25, 2003, Roc-A-Fella released The Diplomats' debut albumDiplomatic Immunity. Despite not producing any major hits, the success of the singlesBuilt This City andDipset Anthem led to the album being certified Gold by the RIAA. In late 2003, the company released Jay-Z's alleged final album,The Black Album.
In January 2004, Jay-Z entered talks with Island Def Jam to launch his own entertainment company, separate from Roc-A-Fella. The move sparked speculation about friction between him and Dash, fueled by concerns over Dash’s growing media presence and his push to expand Roc-A-Fella into film—a direction Jay-Z reportedly opposed. However, both parties publicly denied any conflict at the time.[12] After Jay-Z's supposed last hurrah, it was announced and confirmed in December 2004 thatThe Island Def Jam Music Group purchased the remaining 50 percent stake of Roc-A-Fella Records that IDJ didn't already own, and named Jay-Z as president/CEO of Def Jam.[13] Dash, poised to take greater control in the company, began heavily promoting artists Cam'ron, The Diplomats, State Property, Kanye West, and Twista. In 2004, Kanye West's album,The College Dropout, became a huge commercial and critical success, selling multi-Platinum-RIAA certified sales, andFoxy Brown was signed and began work on her album,Black Rose. The infamous 'split' between Dash, Carter, and Burke occurred when it was revealed the trio had sold their 50% interest in Roc-A-Fella to The Island Def Jam Music Group, making the label full owners. As President, Carter retained control of the Roc and his masters, ousting his 2 former partners. He later explained that he had offered to turn down the position and ownership for the masters toReasonable Doubt alone:
So I was like, let me getReasonable Doubt and I'll give up [the rest of] my masters. I'll give up Roc-A-Fella, I'll give up president and CEO of Def Jam—everything. Just give me my baby to hold on to so 10 years down the line, I can look back and I got something—I'm not empty-handed. And I was the 1 being offered everything. I thought it was more than fair ... And when that was turned down, I had to make a choice. I'll leave that for the people to say what choice they would've made. That's about it. I don't really wanna talk about Dame or Biggs. I don't have nothing negative to say about them.
— Jay-Z, XXL
As Dash and Burke set up their own fledgling record label, originally calledRoc4life and later rechristened toDame Dash Music Group, each artist was offered their choice of labels. Memphis Bleek and Kanye West remained on Roc-A-Fella. Jimmy Jones and The Diplomats opted to leave Roc-A-Fella in 2004.
Beanie Sigel, then doing a year's incarceration on an attempted murder charge, put out his albumThe B. Coming on Dame Dash and Roc-A-Fella; this was accompanied by accusations from Dash that of all the members of State Property, only Oschino had gone to visit Sigel in prison. Beanie had initially chosen Dame Dash Music Group, and he wanted to bring the rest of State Property over to Dame Dash. However, the rest of the group refused, preferring to remain on Roc-A-Fella; in response, Beanie Sigel effectively put the group on hold, claiming disappointment in his groupmates. M.O.P. also left Roc-A-Fella for Dame Dash Music Group, though they parted ways with Dash soon thereafter. Due to the 2004 death of Ol' Dirty Bastard, Dash also brought with him masters of the rapper's project and promises to release the album,A Son Unique, though this never occurred. On April 28, 2005, Cam'ron left Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam and signed toWarner Music Group under the Asylum Records imprint.[14] Cam'ron was especially vocal in running a smear campaign against Jay-Z, claiming Jay-Z blocked him from an executive position Dash had offered him at Roc-A-Fella.[15]
Memphis Bleek and Kanye West released534 andLate Registration, respectively, in 2005, along with theYoung Gunz' sophomore effort andTeairra Marí's debut, though only Kanye West's project saw significant sales. It was stated by Memphis Bleek thatCory Gunz had signed, but nothing materialized. In May 2005, the Damon Dash Music Group's deal with Island Def Jam collapsed just three months after its launch. The split came amid Dash’s demands for increased marketing funds and a larger executive role, which strained relations with Def Jam executives. Additionally, Dash grew tired of Jay-Z, now president of Def Jam, overseeing his projects. Dame Dash Music Group subsequently left Def Jam and by 2007 was dissolved.[16]
In 2006, releases were largely limited to those ofRoc-La-Familia, a Latino-geared label under Roc-A-Fella that followed the trend ofreggaeton.Héctor el Father andN.O.R.E. both put out albums, and the label was home to New York rapperTru Life, but has since folded. Jay-Z made his return that year withKingdom Come, to mixed reviews. He stepped down from his Def Jam position and put out a second album in 2007,American Gangster, to more positive reviews and sales, along with Kanye West'sGraduation, Beanie Sigel'sThe Solution, and Freeway'sFree at Last; Kanye West's album sold multi-platinum to rave reviews. Freeway's project received acclaim but not major sales, and contained comments aimed at Kanye West and Just Blaze for not supplying production. He later amended his comments, stating he desired to work with Just Blaze but the producer hasn't reached out. This may have been due to Just Blaze's work onAmerican Gangster and complications regarding hisAtlantic-distributed label,Fort Knocks, and his artistSaigon.
The signing of Ruff Ryders artist Jadakiss, former rival to both Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, also came in 2007, as didUncle Murda. Foxy Brown was dropped from the label after 2 years, in light of a jail sentence. Though Young Chris and Peedi Crakk continued to appear on projects, neither seemed any closer to solo projects, and in 2008 Peedi Crakk announced that State Property had been dropped from the label.[17] This was countered by Beanie Sigel's manager, who confirmed that Beanie Sigel and Freeway were still part of Roc-A-Fella, though Beanie Sigel would later leave that year. Young Chris also apparently signed as a solo artist. 2008 saw only the release of Kanye West's808s & Heartbreak, garnering decent sales. It also brought repeated disses in songs and interviews from Peedi Crakk towards Jay-Z, claiming he held up his project on purpose, though he claims to have moved on. During that year, Jay-Z had signed a $150 million deal withLive Nation that included concerts, endorsements and recordings, and included a platform for him to launch hisRoc Nation label.[18] Uncle Murda left the label after a year and a half with no release, citing lack of executive interest after Jay-Z left Def Jam.
In March 2009, Freeway procured his release from Def Jam, claiming a need to explore his options; shortly, he announced his signing toCa$h Money, while stating he would always respect Roc-A-Fella.[19] Longtime signee Memphis Bleek also reported his departure from Def Jam, deciding not to travel to Roc Nation in favor of starting his own record label, but he is still very close with Roc-A-Fella.[20] Additionally, Tru Life has been referred to as a "1 time [or past] affiliate" of Roc-A-Fella upon his turning himself in to authorities for his connection to a retaliatory stabbing.[21] On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z had bought back his contract from Def Jam for an unprecedented $5,000,000 and started his deal with Live Nation.
Jadakiss briefly moved to Roc-A-Fella and released an albumThe Last Kiss before reuniting with Ruff Ryders.[22] On May 3, 2010, Damon Dash relaunched Roc-A-Fella after nearly a year of inactivity with his 1st artist being formerYoung Money rapperCurren$y.[23] Curren$y's third album,Pilot Talk, was to be released under the newly relaunched Roc-A-Fella.[24] However, Curren$y stated in interviews with bothXXL andComplex that the album would be released underDamon Dash'sDD172 record label division, BluRoc Records[25][26][27] and distributed through Def Jam. On August 8, 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West released a collaborative album titledWatch the Throne. It was later revealed that Jay-Z was part of a short-lived relaunched Roc-A-Fella, as the album was released on Roc-A-Fella, Roc Nation, and Def Jam.
In September 2012, record labelTuff City, via its subsidiary TufAmerica, filed a lawsuit on the grounds of copyright infringement by Roc-A-Fella, seeking undisclosed damages.[28] The complaint filed infederal court in Manhattan claims Roc-A-Fella and their parentIsland Def Jam paid them a $62,500license fee to sampleEddie Bo's "Hook and Sling, Part 1" inKanye West's "Who Will Survive in America" and "Lost in the World". Despite this, Tuff City says UMG and Roc-A-Fella "failed and refused to enter into written license agreements that accounted for their multiple other uses of 'Hook and Sling'".[29] The unmentioned "multiple other" uses TufAmerica refers to are in the "Lost in the World" video andthe short film based on Kanye's "Runaway". Tuff City is represented by New York attorney Kelly Talcott.[30]
On June 16, 2013, Jay-Z announced with a tweet: "VII IV XIII Roc A Fella/Roc Nation", hinting a possible relaunch and revival of Roc-A-Fella and a possible merger with Roc Nation. However, it was later revealed that the tweet instead meant that Roc-A-Fella was only temporarily relaunched, specifically for the sole purpose of releasing his new album,Magna Carta Holy Grail.
In June 2021, Roc-A-Fella sued its co-founder Damon Dash for attempting to auction off anon-fungible token representing the Jay-Z albumReasonable Doubt, due to Roc-A-Fella owning the rights to the album. In response, Dash claimed that he was not trying to sell the album, but his own share of the record label. On June 22, a restraining order prohibiting Dash from further selling the album was placed.[31]
In 2002, Roc-A-Fella released, through Lions Gate Entertainment,State Property. The movie, while not the first for Dash, would be the start of ROC Films/Roc-A-Fella Films. It starred Roc-A-Fella acts Damon Dash, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, DJ Clue, Memphis Bleek, and Rell. The film studio would go on to releasePaid in Full the same year, and follow up in 2003 withPaper Soldiers and the hip-hop satireDeath of a Dynasty. In 2005, the sequel to the studio's debut release would hit theatres,State Property 2, featuring rap stars such as Beanie Sigel and Damon Dash, who also produced and co-created the story. Cameo roles included musicians Kanye West, N.O.R.E, and Mariah Carey, and light heavyweight champion boxers Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright. The list of films include:
Roc-La-Familia was founded in 2005 by then Roc-A-Fella andDef Jam President/CEOShawn Carter. This sub-label was created to focus on signing international recording artists.
| Artist | Album | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jay-Z | Reasonable Doubt |
|
| Christión | Ghetto Cyrano |
|
| Jay-Z | In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 |
|
| Jay-Z | Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life |
|
| DJ Clue? | The Professional |
|
| Memphis Bleek | Coming of Age |
|
| Jay-Z | Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter |
|
| Beanie Sigel | The Truth |
|
| Amil | All Money Is Legal |
|
| Jay-Z | The Dynasty: Roc La Familia |
|
| Memphis Bleek | The Understanding |
|
| DJ Clue? | The Professional 2 |
|
| Beanie Sigel | The Reason |
|
| Jay-Z | The Blueprint |
|
| Jay-Z andR. Kelly | The Best of Both Worlds |
|
| Cam'ron | Come Home with Me |
|
| Jay-Z | The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse |
|
| Freeway | Philadelphia Freeway |
|
| The Diplomats | Diplomatic Immunity |
|
| State Property | The Chain Gang Vol. 2 |
|
| Juelz Santana | From Me to U |
|
| Jay-Z | The Black Album |
|
| Memphis Bleek | M.A.D.E. |
|
| Kanye West | The College Dropout |
|
| Young Gunz | Tough Luv |
|
| Jay-Z and R. Kelly | Unfinished Business |
|
| Jay-Z andLinkin Park | Collision Course |
|
| Cam'ron | Purple Haze |
|
| Memphis Bleek | 534 |
|
| Young Gunz | Brothers from Another |
|
| Teairra Marí | Teairra Marí |
|
| Kanye West | Late Registration |
|
| Jay-Z | Kingdom Come |
|
| DJ Clue? | The Professional 3 |
|
| Kanye West | Graduation |
|
| Jay-Z | American Gangster |
|
| Freeway | Free at Last |
|
| Beanie Sigel | The Solution |
|
| Kanye West | 808s & Heartbreak |
|
| Jadakiss | The Last Kiss |
|
| Jay-Z | The Blueprint 3 |
|
| Kanye West | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy |
|
| Jay-Z and Kanye West | Watch the Throne |
|
| Kanye West | Yeezus |
|
| Jay-Z | Magna Carta Holy Grail |
|
| Artist | Album | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Various Artists | Streets Is Watching |
|
| DJ Clue? | Backstage: Music Inspired by the Film |
|
| State Property | State Property |
|
| Various Artists | Paid in Full/Dream Team |
|
| Artist | Album | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jay-Z | Jay-Z: Unplugged |
|
| Kanye West | VH1 Storytellers |
|
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
