Roc-A-Fella Records

infobox record label


founded = 1996
lifted = 2008
founder = Jay-Z Damon Dash Kareem "Biggs" Burke
distributor = The Island Def Jam Music Group
genre = Hip hop, R&B
country = United States
location = New York , New York
url = [http://www.rocafella.com/ Official website of Roc-A-Fella Records]

Roc-A-Fella Records is a United States record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. The label is now owned by Def Jam; by the end of 2008, Live Nation will take overfact|date=August 2008. A subsidiary of Universal Music Group. The label is in reference to American oil magnate and businessman John Rockefeller.

History

1996-2000: Establishment

In 1996, Jay-Z and then-business partners Damon Dash and Biggs Burke needed an avenue to put out Jay's music. With no luck signing to any major labels, they decided to found Roc-A-Fella Records and put out his first album, "Reasonable Doubt", independently. They managed to procure distribution from Priority Records; though "Reasonable Doubt" was not a major commercial success, it was highly acclaimed critically, and (along with a cosign from The Notorious B.I.G.) helped propel Jay-Z to popularity. The early roster consisted of Jay-Z, Sauce Money, and Memphis Bleek; former friend Jaz-O, duo Da Ranjahz, and producers DJ Ski and DJ Clark Kent were also affiliated. The label's next release was Carter's second album, "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1", in 1997; 1998 saw an increase in activity with the release of the "Streets Is Watching Soundtrack", Memphis Bleek's "Coming of Age" and "Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life". "Vol. 2" was Jay-Z's first platinum release as well as the highest-selling, helping to secure Roc-A-Fella's future as a record label. By this time, Sauce Money had signed straight to Priority to release his album; Jaz-O had become more involved with his own label and roster; and Da Ranjahz had gone separate ways from the label, as had Ski and Clark Kent. In their places a new roster was signed, consisting of Amil and Beanie Sigel. In 1999, Jay-Z embroiled himself and (to a lesser extent) the rest of the label in a verbal feud with rapper Nas which lasted until 2002.

2000-2004: Breakup

2000 saw Memphis Bleek release his second album, "The Understanding", the first appearances by Beanie Sigel and Amil, and the first Roc-A-Fella release to feature heavy production by Just Blaze. "The Understanding" was followed by "", a Roc roster album billed as a Jay-Z release. The album featured Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and Jay-Z heavily, with appearances by Amil and Freeway, who was signed shortly thereafter. Production was handled largely by Just Blaze and Bink, with input by then-newcomer Kanye West, Rick Rock and The Neptunes. Earlier in 2000, Beanie Sigel released his first album, "The Truth".

Jay-Z put out his sixth album "The Blueprint", in 2001, the same year Beanie Sigel released his second album, "The Reason". Both were produced mainly by Bink!, Just Blaze, and Kanye West, who influenced the sound of Roc-A-Fella to include sped-up or heavily chopped 70's soul samples over an up-tempo framework of drums and bass. The label's disagreements with Nas began dying down; Amil was dropped from the label; and up until 2003, more and more artists were being signed to the roster. Beanie Sigel and Freeway put together State Property, a group of Philadelphia-based rappers; Cam'ron was signed, putting out his platinum-selling album "Come Home With Me" in 2002, before bringing his own group The Diplomats to the label.

From 2002 to 2003, Dame Dash signed several artists in response to Jay-Z's talk of retirement after his 2002 album "". He signed M.O.P. and Ol' Dirty Bastard, gave Grafh a joint-venture deal, and attempted to sign Twista and Joe Budden. Rumors of dissent among the ranks began to breed, as sources said Jay-Z wasn't getting along with Dame or Biggs, and Cam'ron was gunning for a CEO position promised to him by Dame Dash, among other things. This ultimately led to talk that Roc-A-Fella was breaking up.

Meanwhile, Beanie Sigel was going through murder trials, eventually leading to a year-long incarceration. Cam'ron's Diplomats and State Property released "Diplomatic Immunity" and "The Chain Gang Vol. 2" respectively in 2003, as well as Freeway's first album "Philadelphia Freeway", and Memphis Bleek's third album "M.A.D.E."; but the label's highest-profile release that year was Jay-Z's "final" studio album, "The Black Album". After its release, Carter held a large retirement party-style concert in Madison Square Garden.

2004 brought Beanie Sigel's incarceration, rape charges against Dame Dash and Jay-Z's retirement. While Cam'ron released his second album "Purple Haze" and the Young Gunz released their debut, "Tough Luv", Kanye West's "The College Dropout" became the biggest success for the label that year; however, these releases were overshadowed by rumors of goings-on behind the scene. When Carter, Dash and Burke finally split as business partners, each artist was given an ultimatum: either stay on Roc-A-Fella, or move to Dame and Biggs' Def Jam-subsidiary Dame Dash Music Group. M.O.P., Grafh, Cam'ron and seemingly Beanie Sigel opted to move off the Roc; while incarcerated, he released his third album "The B. Coming" on DDMG. There also sprouted controversy over the fate of State Property: while Dame claimed Sigel intended to move the group to his label, the rest of the group disagreed, leading to a temporary breakup.

2004-2007: Resurgence

While Jay-Z gained control of Roc-A-Fella, he also stepped up as president of Def Jam, and proceeded to focus more on the latter than the former. Kanye West's second album, "Late Registration", was released along with Memphis Bleek's fourth album, "534". Only Kanye's album reached Platinum status. During this time, Foxy Brown was briefly signed to the roster, but along with rumors of Cory Gunz joining the label, nothing materialized. Fact|date=July 2008 Upon Beanie Sigel's release from prison, speculation began on whether he would return to Roc-A-Fella Records. In 2006, only Jay-Z released an album from Roc-A-Fella: his return album, "Kingdom Come

Sigel's status would not be made clear until 2007, when he would announce his next release "The Solution" on the Roc; he would later make clear that he had distanced himself from DDMG because of financial discrepancies. '07 also saw a huge increase in activity as compared to 2006; Kanye West's "Graduation", Jay-Z's "American Gangster", and Freeway's "Free At Last" materialized, as well as the signing of former rival Jadakiss. The label is currently set to release Sigel's "The Solution", as well as a "Roc Boys" mixtape headed by Memphis Bleek and including the entire current roster.

Business Ventures

Rocawear

In 1999, Damon Dash, Kareem "Biggs" Burke & Jay-Z launched the Rocawear clothing label.cite news|title=Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/business/07clothes.html |publisher=New York Times |date=March 7, 2007] Since its launch Rocawear has announced annual sales of over $700 million. Recent expansion of its brand has led rocawear to develop lines for children, juniors, socks and sandals, leather suede and fur outerwear, handbags and belts, loungewear and big & tall, headwear, jewelry, and sunglasses; as well as co-branded product with Pro-Keds.

In March 2007, Jay-Z sold his rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million. Jay-Z has announced he will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development. [cite news|title=Jay-Z: Down To 98 Problems Yet?Y|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/07032007/jay_z_down_to_98_problems_yet |publisher=MTV |date=February 7, 2007]

ROC Films

In 2002, following the release of the Rocawear clothing label, Roc-A-Fella Records released through Lions Gate Entertainment, State Property. The movie while not the first for Dame Dash, would be the start of ROC Films/Roc-A-Fella Films. The film studio would go on to release Paid In Full the same year and follow up in 2003 with Paper Soldiers and the hip-hop satire Death of a Dynasty. In 2005 the sequel to the studios 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:
*Streets Is Watching (1998)
*Backstage (2000)
*State Property (2002)
*Paid in Full (2002)
*Paper Soldiers (2003)
*Death of a Dynasty (2003)
*State Property 2 (2005)

Armadale

In 2002 Roc-A-Fella Records announced they will be taking over U.S. distribution rights for the Scottish, Armadale vodka, from the previous owner William Grant & Sons. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/12/01/bmdash01.xml&sSheet=/arts/2003/12/01/ixtop.html] The vodka is described as an 80-proof brand of "hand-crafted triple distilled vodka." Burke describes the motivation for purchasing the label: "You always hear about us talking about the [vodka] in the songs so, like with the clothing and the music industry, we were like: ‘Why are we still making money for everyone else?'" It is believed the vodka was named after the town of Edinburgh, town of Armadale, due to its strong history of vodka distilling. [http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1066932002]

Controversy

Peedi Crakk

According to a recent interview with Philadelphia rapper Peedi Crakk on MediaTakeOut.com, he and the entire State Property family, including Beanie Sigel and Freeway, have been dropped from Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. Peedi claims that Jay initially scheduled one-on-one meetings with each rapper to talk, but those meetings never happened. Instead, he sent an A&R from Def Jam out to Philly last week to deliver the bad news. “Which was a hoe move, to me. You could tell us some shit like that face to face,” said Peedi. “Niggas like Beanie Sigel and Freeway and Oschino and Sparks and Chris and Neef…they been there for almost 10 years.”

Peedi goes on to say that he’s not 100% sure which other artists were dropped, cryptically claiming that “he kept one person.” However, he also says that the A&R who gave them their walking papers said, “There’s no more Roc-A-Fella. Everyone’s free to leave.”

While he could not speak for the other artists, Peedi said that he’s happy about being dropped because he was tired of dealing with his album being delayed. “You won’t hear no Peedi Crakk diss songs,” he says. [http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=18865]

Despite these claims, Roc-A-Fella artists Kanye West, Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek remained signed to the label, and Freeway also recently released his album Free At Last on Roc-A-Fella. As of 3rd quarter 2008, Rocafella's website shows that Beanie Sigel is the only original State Property member left on the label.

Roster

Current Roc-A-Fella Artists (According To Jay-Z)

*Jay-Z (CEO)
*Memphis Bleek
*Beanie Sigel
*Freeway
*DJ Clue
*Kanye West
*Jadakiss
*Young Gunz
*Tru Life
*Uncle Murda

Current Roc-A-Fella Producers

*DJ Clue
*Kanye West
*Just Blaze
*Bink!
*Todd McCallister

Former Artists

*Eric Pletcher
*Allen Anthony
*Amil
*Aztek Escobar
*Big Whit
*Cam'ron
*Christion
*Dame Dash (Former CEO)
*Da Ranjahz
*Denim
*Diamond in Da Ruff
*The Diplomats (Cam'ron / Freekey Zekey / Jim Jones (rapper) / Juelz Santana)
*Eldorado
*Foxy Brown
*Freekey Zekey
*Grafh
*Hector Bambino "El Father"

*Juelz Santana
*Kareem "Biggs" Burke (Former CEO)
*Raouf Al-Talla
*M.O.P
*Nicole Wray
*Nore
*Ol' Dirty Bastard
*Oschino & Sparks
*Peedi Crakk
*Rell
*Samantha Ronson
*Sauce Money
*Teairra Mari
*Young Steff

Labels Created by Roc-A-Fella artists

* Get Low Records
* State Property Records
* G.O.O.D. Music
* Fort Knocks Entertainment
* Getting Money Gangstas
* H.O.M.E '89 (House of Music Entertainment Since '89)
* D-Block Records

Discography

1996

*Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

1997

*Jay-Z - In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

1998

*Streets Is Watching
*Jay-Z - Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
*DJ Clue - The Professional

1999

*Memphis Bleek - The Coming of Age
*Jay-Z - Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter

2000

*Beanie Sigel - The Truth
*DJ Clue -
*Amil - All Money Is Legal
*Jay-Z -
*Memphis Bleek - The Understanding

2001

*DJ Clue - The Professional, Pt. 2
*Beanie Sigel - The Reason
*Jay-Z - The Blueprint
*Jay-Z -

2002

*State Property - State Property
*R. Kelly & Jay-Z - The Best of Both Worlds
*Cam'ron - Come Home With Me
*Jay-Z -
*Paid In Full Soundtrack / Dream Team

2003

*Freeway - Philadelphia Freeway
*The Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity
*Jay-Z - The Blueprint 2.1
*State Property - The Chain Gang, Vol. 2
*Juelz Santana - From Me To U
*Jay-Z - The Black Album
*Memphis Bleek - M.A.D.E.
*The Roc Files, Vol. 1

2004

*Kanye West - The College Dropout
*Young Gunz - Tough Luv
*R. Kelly & Jay-Z - Unfinished Business
*Jay-Z & Linkin Park - Collision Course
*Cam'ron - Purple Haze

2005

*Memphis Bleek - 534
*Young Gunz - Brothers From Another
*Teairra Mari -
*Kanye West - Late Registration

2006

*Hector Bambino "El Father" - Los Rompe Discotekas
*N.O.R.E. - N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe
*Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
*DJ Clue - The Professional, Pt. 3

2007

*Kanye West - Graduation
*Jay-Z - American Gangster
*Freeway - Free at Last
*Beanie Sigel - The Solution

2008

*Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak - November, 2008

*Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3 - Final album with Def Jam - December, 2008

*Jadakiss - Kiss My Ass - December, 2008

ee also

* List of record labels

* List of Roc-A-Fella Records artists

References

External links

* [http://www.rocafella.com Official site]
* [http://hiphop.popcrunch.com/former-106-park-host-free-def-jam-signing/ Free Signs A Deal With Roc-A-Fella]