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Early Formation
Roc-A-Fella Records was established in 1995 by Jay Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke as an independent record label. They retained a distribution deal through Priority Records and released Jay Z's critically acclaimed Reasonable Doubt. The album had guest appearances from Mary J Blige, The Notorious B.I.G, and vocals from Nas. "Nas and AZ was supposed to be on Bring it On, they kept not showing up. That's when we wanted to put out the Firm. They didn't show up. We was meeting and they was saying, 'Yeah,' but they wasn't showing up. We would be waiting and we would be getting offended. So we brought Sauce Money and Big Jaz on the song." -Dame Dash, MTV News The alleged diss, and a sample clearance issue with the Nas-sampling Reasonable Doubt song "Dead Presidents II," were elements that contributed to tension between Jay-Z and Nas. Not to mention the proclaimed King of New York, Biggie Smalls, death giving leeway to up and coming New York artist such as Nas, DMX, Jay Z, Ja Rule, and Jadakiss. The release of Vol 2... Hard Knock Life in 1998 gave national recognition to the up and coming star Jay Z. He proved that he was the image, foundation, and future of Roc-A-Fella Records. He also proved to be fierce competition to his newly found rival Nas. Roc-A-Fella Prime Time Roc-A-Fella Records dominated the hip-hop scene and expanded their operation as the new millennium approached. With the release of The Blueprint and the closing of his trial for the 1999 stabbing of producer "Un" Rivera, other Roc artists began to gain notoriety. The label signed Beanie Sigel who would later establish State Property and Cam'ron who would later introduce The Diplomats. The recruitment of these artist and record labels helped lead Roc-A-Fella Records to its prime; but at pricey cost. The Break Up Beanie Sigel was constantly in trouble which worried Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam executives. Aside from legal trouble, he was waging an all out war against Jadakiss and The Lox trying to make a name for himself. Controversy between Jay Z and Cam'ron began over the "H to the Izzo" beat and Cam'ron discarding Jay Z's verse from the orginial "Oh Boy" track. Dame Dash poured gasoline to the flame by offering Cam'ron the vice president position of Roc-A-Fella Records without Jay Z's knowledge. Cam'ron, years later, expressed his position claiming Jay-Z blocked him from the executive position; on the other hand he also stated that executives were trying to low-ball him with a $500,000 salary. In the mist of all the drama and controversy, Kanye West was being heavily promoted by Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. College Dropout was an international success and paved the way for future projects in which Jay Z was heavily involved. It was later revealed that Jay Z had been offered a position as CEO and President of Def Jam Recordings. The infamous 'split' occurred when it was released that Jay Z, Dash and Biggs had sold their 50% shares in Roc-A-Fella Records to Def Jam Recordings, making the label full owners. As CEO and president, Jay Z retained control of Roc-A-Fella Records, ousting his two former partners. He later explained that he had offered to turn down the position for ownership of the masters to Reasonable Doubt: “So I was like, let me get Reasonable Doubt and I'll give up the rest of my masters. I'll give up Roc-A-Fella Records, I'll give up president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings—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 one 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 Dame Dash and Biggs set up their own record label: Dame Dash Music Group. Each artist was offered their choice of labels with Cam'ron and The Diplomats making the move to Dame Dash Music Group. They began a public campaign against Jay-Z, dissing him in songs and interviews, backed heavily by Dame Dash. Beanie Sigel, while incarcerated, released his album, The B. Coming, under Dame Dash Music Group. In contrast, State Property group members joined Jay Z on the Def Jam owned Roc-A-Fella Records. Beanie Sigel responded by putting State Property projects on hold claiming he was disappointed by his label mates. Dame Dash eventually split his label from Def Jam Records and Jay Z's role overseeing his projects. Dame Dash Music Group soon after left Def Jam Recordings and was subsequently dissolved. The signing of Jadakiss and Nas, former rivals to both Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, left remaining Roc-A-Fella artist in an uncanny situation. Soon after, it was announced that the entire State Property group had been dropped from the label. Beanie Sigel and Freeway were still part of Roc-A-Fella Records. Young Chris, of Young Gunz, soon after signed as a solo artist. Peedi Crakk expressed his anger towards Jay-Z, alleging he held up his project on purpose. Freeway obtained his release from Def Jam Recordings, claiming a need to explore his options. Longtime signee Memphis Bleek also reported his departure from Def Jam. The Aftermath On May 21, 2009, Jay Z bought back his contract and record label from Def Jam Recordings for an unprecedented $5,000,000. Around this time, he also resigned from his position as CEO of Def Jam Records. He would then begin to revamp Roc-A-Fella Records and start his 150 million dollar distribution deal with Live Nation. This deal included concerts, endorsements and recordings, and a platform for him to launch his newly found Roc Nation label. Jay Z and Kanye West remain as the only artist on the Roc-A-Fella roster. Jay Z is now focused on other ventures such as his Tidal music streaming service. |