Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...

Infobox Single
Name = Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...


Caption = "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..." Vinyl Case
Artist = Jay-Z featuring Kanye West
from Album = American Gangster
Released = October 10 2007
Format = CD/Vinyl
Recorded = 2007
Genre = East Coast hip hop, Mafioso Rap, hip hop
Length =
Label = Def Jam, Roc-A-Fella
Writer = Shawn Carter
Producer = Diddy, LV, Sean C
Certification =
Artist = Jay-Z
Type = singles
Last single = "Blue Magic"
(2007)
This single = "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..."
(2007)
Next single = "I Know"
(2008)

"Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..." is the second single from Jay-Z's tenth studio album, "American Gangster". [Omar Burgess (October 1 2007). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5765/title.hhdx-news-bits-young-buck-jay-z HHDX News Bits: Young Buck, Jay-Z] . HipHopDX. Accessed October 1 2007.] The song is produced by Diddy and two of his producers known as LV and Sean C from his production team, The Hitmen. [ [http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=15480 The Producers Behind Jay-Z's "American Gangster"] . "XXL" (October 25 2007. Accessed October 25 2007.] On background vocals are as prominent names as Beyoncé Knowles, Cassie, and Kanye West. The song samples "Make the Road by Walking" by The Menahan Street Band. [ [http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com/2007/10/sample-example-menahan-street-band-jay.html Sample & Example: Menahan Street Band & Jay-Z] . "Hip-Hop Is Read" (October 24 2007. Accessed October 24 2007).] On December 11, 2007, "Rolling Stone" named it the best song of 2007. [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007 The 100 Best Songs of 2007] "Rolling Stone" (December 11, 2007). Accessed December 13, 2007.]

Music video

The music video was directed by Chris Robinson. The video was shot in New York City in Jay-Z's The 40/40 Club.Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Liz Hernandez (November 8, 2007) [http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=5073 Jay-Z Parties It Up With Mariah Carey, Nas, Diddy At 'Roc Boys' Video Shoot] "MTV". Accessed November 25, 2007.]

The video features cameo appearances by Rick Ross, Memphis Bleek, Diddy, Freeway, Nas, Tru Life, Young Gunz, Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz, Drew Sidora, Kristia Krueger, Chain 4, Chantel, Beanie Sigel, Cassie, DJ Clue, Larry Johnson, Tristan Wilds, Just Blaze, Zab Judah, The-Dream, Irv Gotti and Mariah Carey. Kanye West is not featured in the video because of a scheduling conflict, at the time he was on tour in Dubai, as posted in his blog.

The young Jay-Z was portrayed by talented actor, Samgoma Edwards. Director Chris Robinson personally sought out Edwards for the role after Edwards and his older brother Samtubia and friend Chris Alvarez shot their own video project titled "The Young Hov Project", [ [http://ca.youtube.com/user/TeamGuerrillaFilms TeamGuerrillaFilms] YouTube. Accessed November 25, 2007.] based on tracks from Jay-Z's "The Black Album".Shaheem Reid and Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes and Liz Hernandez. [http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/111207/ Mixtape Monday: Jay-Z Borrows The-Dream's 'Hook'; Young Buck Says His Album 'Is Better Than Kanye's And 50's'] "MTV". Accessed November 25, 2007.]

Remix

Beanie Sigel has also announced that he and Jadakiss have finished the official remix of the track, which features the both of them on vocals.Def Sounds Reporting on Roc Boys Remix. [http://www.defsounds.com/news/Roc_boys_remix_to_feature_beanie_sigel_jadakiss Roc Boys Remix To Feature Beanie Sigel & Jadakiss] . Accessed December 14, 2007.] However there is an alternate remix featuring Young Chris from the Young Gunz and Busta Rhymes, plus another remix featuring Kanye West & Jon-E. Jin made a remix and put it on his MySpace page, but has since taken it down. Fabolous has also done a remix of this song which is featured on his mixtape called There is no Competition hosted by DJ Drama.

Chart position

References

ee also

*List of Jay-Z songs