roc a fella
Jay-Z Sabotaged His Own Artists, Says TK Kirkland
Did Jay-Z purposely hold back his own artists so that they didn’t become more successful than him? According to a new rumor, that may have been the case. TK Kirkland, a comedian hailing from Compton, recently spoke with The Art of Dialogue. He had quite a bit to say about Jay’s alleged behind-the-scenes behavior. Apparently, he was told the information straight from a record executive. TK Kirkland isn’t exactly the first source one might think of for insider information. However, he doubles down in the interview, confirming that he “knows everyone.”
Kirkland accused Jay of deliberately impeding the commercial success of his Roc-A-Fella artists. Allegedly, he wanted to prevent them from surpassing him in popularity. “Beanie Sigel was the sh*t, n*gga. They would only let Beanie Sigel sell so many records,” Kirkland says in the video below. “This came from an executive at Roc-A-Fella… And they would only let Beanie sell so many records, and that was it. They wouldn’t push it no more.” The comedian went on to say, “You couldn’t be bigger than Jay-Z on Jay-Z’s label. Interestingly, this is not the only rumor making the rounds about Jay this week.
Read More: How Jay-Z Traveling To London Saved His Career
Jay-Z’s Illegitimate Son
Rymir Satterthwaite is a 30-year-old man who claims to be Jay-Z’s illegitimate son. The man has been attempting to obtain a paternity test from the rapper for the past ten years. Despite his efforts, Jay has managed to avoid complying with the request. Unfortunately, Rymir’s mother, Wanda, passed away in 2019 due to medical complications. However, Rymir has recently shared a signed affidavit from his mother, which was unsealed, with DailyMail.
The document, dated February 2015, recounts Wanda’s claims that she met Jay-Z as a teenager in New York, where they spent a night together at his aunt’s apartment in Brooklyn. Though they initially used protection, it failed, resulting in Wanda’s pregnancy. Wanda maintained that Jay-Z was Rymir’s father until her death, but the rapper’s lawyers have denied all of the family’s claims throughout their legal battle. What do you think of all of the new rumors about Jay recently? Do you believe any of them or are people using his name for clout? Sound off in the comments!
Jay Z’s Biggest Billionaire Business Ventures
While we all got to know Manhattan-based Jay Z for his illustrious rap career, many of the past ten years have seen him delve into the business world. Much of his 2017 project 4:44 dove into this reality. From referencing expensive paintings to his vast portfolio, he’s pursued a vision to re-write his legacy. Hov wants to move from being seen as solely a rapper to an influential billionaire.
Jay Z’s endless ambition shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of his fans. Many records passed on him back in the mid-’90s, believing he was too old to warrant a contract. He would respond by creating his old record label, Roc-A-Fella Records. There, he would curate his ability to pick out unique talents. Helping propel the careers of Kanye West, Freeway, Beanie Sigel, and more, he’s been wisely investing in other people since the beginning of his career.
Hov’s business ventures have certainly paid off. The multi-creative force first being tagged as a billionaire back in 2019. Joining an elite group of American Black billionaires, he was the first hip-hop artist to join the 10-figure ranks. Growing up in the Brooklyn projects, it’s been a hell of a journey for Shawn Carter. Jay Z stated he had “a million ways to make money” on The Blueprint. He’s since proven this sentiment true. Today, we’re looking at the biggest business ventures from Jay-Z, one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Roc-A-Fella Records
This one goes without even needing to be mentioned. Jay Z was snubbed by record companies across New York due to his age (a ridiculous sentiment when looking back). He responded by founding Roc-A-Fella Records along with Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. The label’s first album would be Reasonable Doubt, the breakthrough debut project from Jay. The label would later sign Kanye West, cementing Roc-A-Fella as one of the household names in the music scene.
Roc-A-Fella would halt in 2013, with its final project being the Magna Carta Holy Grail LP. After a falling out with Dash in the late 2000s, the label would gradually deteriorate. However, the overarching reason for the label’s end was multiple members were simply looking elsewhere. However, Jay Z’s first business venture was undeniably his most important. He would leverage its massive success for the rest of his career (both musically and financially).
D’USSE Cognac
Jay Z officially partnered with Bacardi to release D’USSE Cognac back in 2012. Over the past decade, it’s become one of the largest-selling spirits in history. A brandy produced in France, the brand was created with a vision to offer something different to American consumers. Jay Z has spearheaded the brand’s creative direction, contributing to the products’ disruption of the spirits industry.
However, Jay’s partnership with Bacardi has recently been the source of controversy. After expressing his desire to sell his 50 percent stake in the company last year, Bacardi offered him $500m. The situation would morph into an ugly legal battle, as Jay Z claimed his stake should be worth around $1.5 billion. As of February, the two parties came to an agreement. Jay would make $750 million in the deal while retaining a significant ownership stake in the company.
Rocawear
Rocawear, a clothing line, was released as a subset of Roc-A-Fella Records. At its peak, the initiative would generate annual sales that superseded $700 million. While Jay Z would eventually sell his ownership rights for an estimated $200 million, he would continue to oversee marketing and product development. The company would later partner with Pharell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club clothing label in 2011, re-invigorating the company’s value and name recognition. Rocawear continues to sell clothing that fits into the aesthetic of downtown New York, from oversized cargo pants to casual glamour that fits the stylistic trends of Manhattan.
40/40 Club
A pristine sports bar chain based in New York City, Jay Z co-founded the 40/40 Club with business partner Juan Perez in 2003. Adorned with luxurious decor and iconic sports memorabilia, the spot is also known for hosting private music events where Lil Uzi Vert and (of course) Jay Z have performed. Jay initially had worldwide aspirations for the sports bar, wanting to build locations in Tokyo and Singapore in the early 2000s. The plans never materialized, and the 40/40 Club exclusively exists in New York. However, the initiative is another example of Jay Z looking to expand his presence beyond music.
Roc Nation
Jay Z and Jay Brown founded Roc Nation, a multi-personified entertainment company. Founded in 2008, the company contains various sub-companies ranging from a recording label to concert production. The company is home to artists such as Future, Rihanna, J Cole, and Big Sean. Roc Nation is likely his most successful business venture to date, as the company transcends a variety of creative and athletic lanes. The company’s current valuation is around $140 million.
By 2013, Roc Nation had founded Roc Nation Sports, home to names such as Kevin Durant and Victor Cruz. Jay Z would have to give up his $4.5 million stake in the Brooklyn Nets to begin the sports agency, as there would be an illegal conflict of interest.
Tidal
The first artist-owned streaming service, Jay Z released Tidal in 2015 along with her wife, Beyonce. He originally purchased the obscure Norwegian streaming service for $56.5 million, re-branding it as a “artist-first” company. The overarching reason for the initiative was to give musicians more creating autonomy over their profits. Services such as Spotify have long been criticized for not fairly paying artists.
In retrospect, Tidal was an admirable effort that ultimately fell flat. Failing to create a valuable differentiating point for consumers, Tidal struggled to pull consumers away from other services. In addition, they were hit with several lawsuits upon launching. While the idea was rooted in looking to support artists, it proved that running an essential service involves far more roadblocks than was anticipated.
Armand de Brignac
Additionally known as Ace of Spaces, Armand de Brignac is a French Champagne owned by Jay Z. Owning the brand since 2014, the beverage contains roots from French winemaking houses in the 1600s. Before the pandemic, the brand was approaching one million bottle sales annually. Like many of Jay Z’s other business ventures, Armand de Brignac is a luxury-based brand that appeals to a wealthy consumer base.
Recently, Jay Z sold a 50 percent stake in the company to LVMH. They own other name-brand champagnes such as Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot. Jay stated, “We are confident that the sheer power of LVMH in developing luxury brands will give Armand de Brignac the commercial power it needs to grow and flourish even further.” Jay Z reportedly made over $300 million from the deal, cementing his status as a billionaire.
Uber
While Jay Z is most well-known for creating (or purchasing) other businesses and building them up, he’s also proven to be an intelligent angel investor. A primary example of this was his $2 million purchase of a stake in Uber back in 2011. Seeing the company’s vision for innovating the transportation industry, that stake is worth over $70 million. In fact, Uber isn’t the only proof of Jay Z’s competence as an investor. He’s also made millions from investments in JetSmarter, Julep, and Away. In addition, he’s supported a variety of exciting startups that display exciting levels of potential.
Rappers Who Almost Signed to Other Rap Record Labels
While going independent is becoming more and more prevalent, plenty of rappers are still opting to sign rap record deals with major labels. Of course, there’s a noteworthy tradeoff when an artist signs to a rap record label. The artist gains access a widened network of creatives, and no longer has to focus on tasks such as marketing their album or setting up their tour. In addition, the up-front paycheck is always attractive to artists who’ve spent years broke.
These days, we’re familiar with several of our favorites in Hip Hop being affiliated with their collectives. However, according to insiders or the artists, themselves, those deals almost didn’t happen. In fact, many of them almost signed with another label, which could have changed the courses of their careers. Here are a few rappers who were close to moving in a different direction.
Lloyd Banks
During his most recent appearance on the Rap Radar Podcast, Lloyd Banks revealed how close he came to signing with Kanye West‘s G.O.O.D Music record label during the early 2010s. He stated: “So, at one point, it was supposed to be a G-Unit, G.O.O.D Music type of situation. I was on other records, too. They never came out or whatever, the business didn’t get done. But yeah, that was probably like 2010, 2011.” After Ye publicly hailed Banks as a Top 5 rapper in the game at the time, the two got together to create “Start It Up.” Lloyd Banks’ new project, The Course of the Inevitable III, is set to release on April 21st.
Lil Wayne
After releasing The Carter in 2004, Lil Wayne was solidified as one of the hottest names in hip-hop. Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records emerged as a serious contender for a young 22-year-old Weezy. At the time, Wayne was transparent about his endless love for Jay-Z as a rapper. However, an alleged lowball offer of around $175,000 strayed Weezy from signing with Hov. He would instead re-sign with Cash Money, going on to release the second and third installments of The Carter series.
The potential for Lil Wayne and Jay Z to link up has to be one of the biggest “what if” stories in hip-hop. The two competed against each other for the best rapper alive title throughout the late 2000s. In fact, the two traded subtle shots at each other on various tracks. The supposed beef more-so read as a healthy competition between two of the greats rather than anything personal. They collaborated on “Swagga Like Us” and “Mr. Carter.” However, we likely missed out on plenty of great music between the two when Weezy opted to stay loyal to Cash Money.
Tupac Shakur
When people think of rappers who nearly signed to other record labels, Tupac likely isn’t an MC comes to mind. It’s difficult to think of Tupac without thinking of Suge Knight or the entire Death Row attitude. However, Tupac nearly signed to another famous rap collective, No Limit Records, in the early ’90s. Spearheaded by Master P, the two each lived in the Bay area at the time. In an interview with HipHopDX, P stated that Pac was the “one little piece that I was looking at like, ‘You know what? This could be alright.’” However, it doesn’t appear that a deal between Tupac and Master P was too close to ever being done. While it’s fascinating to imagine where the two creative powerhouses would’ve gone together, it’s hard to visualize Tupac’s career without Death Row.
Lil Uzi Vert
By 2016, Lil Uzi Vert was all over the imprint of hip-hop. His spacey, trap-based beats on Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World and The Perfect LUV Tape took over the scene. As a result, he was one of the most in-demand artists for rap record labels to sign. The Philadelphia-born rapper initially made headlines after he announced he was signing with Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang imprint. With Khalifa confirming the news over Twitter, the setting appeared to be set in stone.
However, DJ Drama and Don Cannon’s Generation Now promptly stepped in amidst the news. After Uzi began talks with the Generation Now label, Khalifa promptly backed out of their once presumptive agreement. Uzi has been vocal about his issues with the records deals he’s signed, once accusing his label of not allowing him to release music. However, Generation Now and Uzi still appear to be working together.
Nas
Believe it or not, Nas’s commercial value as an artist was highly doubted leading up to Illmatic. A young and hungry rapper roaming the streets of New York, Nas struggled to find a record deal in the early ’90s. With Illmatic essentially finished, he was inches away from inking a deal with Def Jam Records. However, Russell Simmons made the executive decision to pass on the MC, believing that Illmatic would flop commercially.
In fact, Simmons wasn’t completely wrong. Illmatic wasn’t exactly leaping up the top charts after its release. In addition, the eclectic and soulful beats of the project didn’t pop out to the casual listener. The subtleties of Illmatic would later solidify it as one of the greatest rap albums of all time, propelling Nas into a storied career that still going strong to this day.
Chance The Rapper
Of the mainstream artists who decided to go fully independent, Chance The Rapper is one of the most notable names on that shortlist. However, there was a point in time where Chance nearly signed to Top Dawg Entertainment. After the nationwide success of Acid Rap, the Carson-bred collective reached out to the Chicago-based MC. Beyond talks with TDE’s president, the deal never came any closer to being signed. However, the potential ramifications of Chance signing with TDE are fascinating to analyze.
Much of Chance the Rapper’s acclaim and notoriety is rooted in the fact that he never signed a deal. From visiting the White House to Grammy Awards, Chance’s success is held up as a battle cry for artists looking to do everything themselves. However, we missed out on collaborations with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and the rest of TDE.
Kanye West
Kanye West signing to Roc-A-Fella Records changed the complexion of hip-hop forever. Delivering his soul-infused beats to the forefront of music, Ye and Jay-Z would eventually form a menacing duo. The two lived at the top for over a decade, releasing multiple collaborations throughout that period.
However, Ye nearly signed with Cash Money before ultimately going with Roc-A-Fella. While Roc-A-Fella was always his end-goal, the prospect of working with the likes of Lil Wayne nearly strayed him from his eventual path. Ye didn’t want to sign with Cash Money because he reportedly felt they were a little “too street” compared to the high-rising Roc-A-Fella. It’s interesting to visualize a world where Kanye West was collaborating with Wayne rather than Jay-Z.
Drake
Still making a name for himself in the late 00s, Trey Songz nearly convinced Drake to sign to his Songbook label imprint under Atlantic Records. At the time, the two had just collaborated on “Successful.” Considering the direction that Songz’s career would eventually go, it’s entirely possible that Drake wouldn’t be the worldwide sensation he is today if he had stuck with the R&B singer. Songz admitted this in an interview with The Breakfast Club, stating, “Drake wouldn’t be Drake if we had made that decision. Drake wanted to sign to me at the time when I wasn’t even Trey Songz yet.”
Would Drake have succeeded anyways? Absolutely, but maybe not to this extent. There’s doubt that years of working with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj at Cash Money played an essential role in his rise to universal stardom. In fact, the trio are still collaborating, releasing “Seeing Green” back in 2021. Drake was a saving grace for Cash Money, quickly becoming their main act.
Beanie Sigel Believes Kanye West Needs Someone To Tell Him To “Shut The F**k Up”
Beanie Sigel recently sat down for an interview with VladTV and reflected on Kanye West and his recent controversies. From what the Philly rapper expressed, these attitudes from Ye should come as no surprise to those who know him, and that doesn’t make them any more excusable. Moreover, he specifically pointed at him not having wise people in his corner who actually look out for his well-being and not his pockets. Of course, part of what made Kanye a compelling artist to begin with was his individualistic and single-minded approach to his craft. However, once the money got split up between many parties, Sigel stated, that’s when people’s true loyalties became clear, to the detriment of victims of the Chicago MC’s attacks.
“Kanye drives his own car,” Beanie Sigel remarked of his former Roc-A-Fella label mate. “Kanye was Kanye. I think when you get to a certain point, they saw money change you, it also changes the people around you, and when you got so many people that’s on your payroll, it’s hard to get honesty from them. Kanye needs somebody around him that’s gonna tell him, ‘Shut the f**k up.’ Like, ‘Chill out, bro,’ and he gotta be able to accept that. He needs somebody that don’t care about his money.”
Beanie Sigel Condemns The “Yes Men” Of Kanye West
Currently, the Yeezy mogul is facing opposition in both the court of public opinion and the court of law. Furthermore, two women including Cecilia Hailey sued the rapper for unlawful termination from his Donda Academy after they criticized his strange policies. Not only that, but the lawsuit also includes accusations of racial discrimination, health and safety violations, and more. One of the wildest examples was Kanye West forcing kids to eat sushi every day and prohibited outside food.
“Ye West, I am so thankful for the opportunity to be at your school, but things are not going the way they should, academically, socially or spiritually,” Hailey stated. “And you need to back down and try again with people who know what they’re doing, who can execute a vision, who can help you understand that we don’t know anything about producing albums, but we know how to educate. These children’s lives are in your hands and this vision, especially if you’re trying to carry out the vision of your mother, is just not working right now.” For the latest on Beanie Sigel and Kanye West, stay logged into HNHH.
Jim Jones Discusses Roc-A-Fella Breakup’s Impact On New York Hip-Hop
During a recent conversation on DJ Self’s Apt. 5H show, Jim Jones spoke candidly of the Roc-A-Fella breakup and how it impacted New York hip-hop. Moreover, he also shared some thoughts alongside Hitmaka, with whom he just made a collaborative album, Back In My Prime. As Jones reveals, the dissolution of the legendary label led to a void within East Coast rap, specifically in NYC, where its artists scrambled to find a new home. Furthermore, the collective had an iron grip on the region that also led it through its arguable commercial and artistic peaks.
However, as impactful as their rise to the top was, their breakup dealt a similarly deep and lasting blow to the scene. Of course, it’s by no means dead, dying, or even close to it, but one can’t help but think back on the glory days. “The confusion at the Roc-A-Fella breakup did a lot of damage for New York music,” Jones remarked. “Remember, Roc-A-Fella had so many different types of music. They had The Diplomats, they had State Property, they had Brooklyn s**t. They really had a strong hold on East Coast music, so when that s**t started to happen…“
Jim Jones Speaks On Roc-A-Fella Breakup
Not only that, but producer Hitmaka brought up that they also tapped into the reggaetón market through their Roc-La-Familia sub label. If you’re interested in what that would result in, check out N.O.R.E.’s 2006 fusion of both worlds, N.O.R.E. y la Familia…Ya Tú Sabe. Not only did they experiment and keep an eye on what was next up, but they established a superstar discography, roster, and business in just a couple of years. After Jay-Z teased retirement, moved onto Def Jam, and he and cofounders Dame Dash and Biggs Burke sold their stake in Roc-A-Fella, the group was no more, splintered into different parts. However, Jay kept most of the money in the pot as CEO and president of Def Jam, which left his cofounders blindsided.
“Yeah, all that, but we were friends,” Dame Dash expressed on The Art Of Dialogue in August of last year. “Like, how would you feel if your brother just betrayed you for money? Would it hurt? That’s the algorithm. It wasn’t surprising ’cause that’s what always happens. We were breaking the algorithm, we were doing it a different way and sticking together, but that’s what always happens. They make one sell out the other, their friend, divide and conquer, that’s a normal story. That was my n***a, like we never argued, nothing. That’s why I didn’t know it was coming. That was some real slick s**t. I was like, ‘That n***a’s cold.’” Regardless of your take, stick around on HNHH for the latest on Jim Jones and the Roc-A-Fella camp.
Young Chris Explains Signing With Jay-Z Over Dame Dash
Young Chris of the Young Gunz recently explained why he signed with Jay-Z over Dame Dash during the infamous Roc-A-Fella split in the mid-2000s. Appearing on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast, Young Chris recalled how Jay-Z pitched himself to him and Freeway while the two were on the road. The legendary rapper told the two that this “shit about to be over.”
“I remember Dame was telling me to do a solo project,” the State Property MC recalled. “That’s kind of why I went with Jay, you know? My loyalty to Neef [Buck]. We already did the first album and I’ma follow up, you feel me? That was my situation. I think back on it sometimes ’cause I never looked at it as being the Bobby of the group. Dame was probably looking at the shit, but we went with Jay and we did what we did.”
Young Chris On “My Expert Opinion”
Young Chris joined Roc-A-Fella as one-half of the Young Gunz alongside Neef Buck. At the time, Jay-Z was publically planning to retire following the release of The Blueprint 2 in 2002. In the wake of that decision, Damon Dash was trying to bring in tons of talent to the Roc-A-Fella roster. The label already boasted Kanye West, The Diplomats, Beanie Sigel, and more. Jay-Z then accepted a position as the CEO and president of Def Jam Recordings. Dame and fellow co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke eventually gave in and sold their stake in the label to Island Def Jam, before forming their own label.
Young Gunz later released their second and final album Brothers from Another with Jay-Z in 2005. The album peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard 200, while selling 138,000 units in the US. It features guest appearances from Pooda Brown, 112, Daz Dillinger, John Legend, Kanye West, and Memphis Bleek. The lead single from the album, “Set It Off,” was produced by Swizz Beatz and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. They also worked with producers Chad Hamilton, Boola, Bangladesh, and more across the tracklist. In the years since, Chris has continued releasing his own solo music.
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Dame Dash Says Jay-Z Offered Him $1.5M For Interest In Roc-A-Fella Inc.: “Disrespectful Sh*t”
Dame Dash explained the loophole that led him to trying to sell his stake in Roc-A-Fella prior to Jay-Z’s lawsuit.
During a recent appearance on VEUIT TV, Dash opened up about his decision to leap into the world of NFTs. If you recall, the Roc-A-Fella co-founder tried to sell his stake in the company including his shares in Reasonable Doubt. Ultimately, Jay-Z wasn’t having it and sued Dame Dash.
Dash explained that Jay actually offered him a sum of money before he tried to leap into the NFT space.
“I was offered a certain amount of money for my interest in Roc-A-Fella Inc., which owns Reasonable Doubt. They offered me like $1.5M – Jay-Z. And I was like, ‘That’s some disrespectful shit. So, I guess I gotta sell it someplace else.’”
At this point, Dame reached out to his cousin who linked him up with attorney Ronald Sweeney. Both of them suggested that Dame look at other options, such as Non-Fungible Tokens, which could lead to a bigger payout than whatever Jay-Z offered.
“I got the lawsuit – ‘cause again, I got accused of doing something I didn’t to stop me from doing it, and then everybody just went missing. So I had to deal with the lawsuit on my own,” he added. He described the situation as “f*cked up.”
Despite the friction between the two, Jay-Z applauded Dame Dash during his Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame speech. In response, Dash said he wants to end their feud with each other.
“It was beautiful,” he said, expressing gratitude that Jay did it “for the culture.” “We need to squash everything. So hopefully if that was an extended [olive branch] I’ll spin one back. I have no beef with [him] if [he has] no beef with me … let’s get the lawyers out of it then. Let’s talk like men.”
The two have since reached a settlement in the case.
Check out the clip below and sound off in the comments with your thoughts on Dame Dash’s Roc-A-Fella Inc NFT venture.