Tyler, the Creator fans can hold a bit tighter to his The Estate Sale drop. Hitting X, Tyler shut down the belief that music was on the way, revealing a GQ feature where he teased something “crazy” in February.
Tyler, The Creator just confirmed that ‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale’ will be his only release for 2023 pic.twitter.com/mIsgl1J6pg
Tyler, the Creator was a guest on DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz Podcast and spoke about fielding label offers earlier in his career. One of those offers came from JAY-Z and Roc Nation.
Tyler revealed Hov had him out to one of his Los Angeles area homes for tacos and offered a deal, which he would eventually deny.
“We just ate tacos,” Tyler said. “We ate some tacos and he wanted to sign us. I was like ‘Man you’re cool, but no.’”
Tyler revealed that he turned down the deal due to wanting full creative control of his work.
Roc Nation and Lexus have announced e a remarkable addition to “The Book Of HOV,” an immersive exhibit at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Location. Visitors can now admire the iconic 1993 Lexus GS 300, which played a pivotal role in JAY-Z‘s legendary career.
The 1993 Lexus GS 300 debuted in JAY-Z’s 1994 music video for “Dead Presidents.” This sleek automobile also found its place in JAY-Z’s lyrics in tracks like “Can I Live” and the chart-topping hit “Empire State Of Mind.” Located adjacent to the Central Library on Eastern Parkway, this Lexus marks the first of many artifacts to be featured in “The Book Of HOV.”
Since its opening on July 14th, the exhibit has attracted over 255,000 visitors, nearly quadrupling attendance figures compared to the same period in 2022. Moreover, the limited edition JAY-Z library cards have driven over 21,000 new account registrations.
“We’re excited to partner with Lexus to bring JAY-Z’s iconic “Off-White Lexus” to The Book of HOV. The new installation adds another element of JAY-Z’s career to the exhibit that visitors can enjoy, states Desiree Perez, CEO Roc Nation. “The response to The Book Of HOV has been overwhelming, so we’re excited to extend the exhibit to December to ensure new and returning attendees can have enough opportunities to fully immerse themselves into the experience.”
“The Book Of HOV” is a tribute to JAY-Z’s global influence as a musician, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural disruptor, including JAY-Z’s 1993 Lexus GS 300 from the iconic “Dead Presidents” video further cements Lexus’ position in hip-hop culture.
“In further celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, we are thrilled to partner with Roc Nation in this special tribute to JAY-Z’s musical legacy,” says Mia Phillips, Senior Manager, Lexus Advertising & Media. “The vehicle display is recognition of the mutual respect and admiration between Lexus and JAY-Z, whose brilliance and contributions to culture extend far beyond hip-hop.”
As one of hip-hop’s most frequently referenced car manufacturers, Lexus symbolizes the lifestyle that defined an era. Visitors can view the 1993 Lexus GS 300 at “The Book Of HOV” exhibit, which continues through December.
Houston’s own Kentavia “KenTheMan” Miller, known for her fierce lyricism and captivating presence, is embarking on her Back to 304’n Tour.
With 180 million global streams and 44 million YouTube views under her belt, KenTheMan’s hypersexual, intelligent, and talent-packed artistry has earned her co-signs from industry heavyweights like Cardi B, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone.
The tour, spanning 12 cities in the U.S., kicks off on September 19 and runs through October 12. Audiences can expect electrifying performances of KenTheMan’s hit classics and tracks from her recent EP Back to 304’n, accompanied by DJ Cee Watts’ dynamic sounds.
Tour Dates:
September 19 – Denver, CO – The Bluebird Theatre September 21 – Oakland, CA – The New Parish September 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Catch One September 24 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theatre September 29 – Baton Rouge, LA – The Basin Music Hall October 1 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage October 4 – Washington, DC – DC9 October 5 – New York, NY – SOB’s October 6 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fallser Club October 7 – Detroit, MI – Andy’s Arts October 8 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club October 11 – Dallas, TX – Trees October 12 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
Roc Nation boasts a lot of talent, a pool of MCs and producers that knows the hip-hop of the past as much as rap today. In addition, they recognize the relationship between streetwear and the genre, and how special it is to celebrate its 50th birthday this week. Moreover, the label just partnered with PUMA to put together the Humble Soles mixtape hosted by the legendary DJ Clue. Of course, with that explanation, it’s no surprise that there’s a whole slew of collaborators here and a lot of glossy, inspired, and sonically powerful tracks.
Furthermore, to go through some of these Roc Nation stars, rappers like Rapsody, Vic Mensa, Reuben Vincent, Kalan.FrFr, and RJAE pop up on this tracklist. In addition, there’s Reuben Vincent, Tay Keith, Huey V, HDBeenDope, Tish Hayman, KenTheMan, Zacari, Guapdad 4000, and many more. Not only that, but everyone here shares some potent moments of chemistry throughout the mixtape, as well as plenty of variety. Some sounds are more old-school, whereas other tracks contain contemporary timbres, but every rapper and producer here seems to tap into inspirational and triumphant pallets.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the artists that have come together for this project,” executive producer Emory Jones remarked in a press release. “Our lineup is made up of leaders shaping the future’s sound. They’re the most innovative and unique of the game so far- all while remaining humble and hardworking at the same time. This tape is to honor the best-in-class of the genre and I can wholeheartedly say we’ve achieved just that.” If you haven’t heard Humble Soles yet, find it on your preferred streaming service and check out the tracklist below. Also, check back in with HNHH for the latest on Roc Nation, hip-hop history, and more great music each week.
Tracklist 1. Intro (with Reuben Vincent, RJAE & Huey V) 2. Takeover (with RJAE, Johnny Cocoa & Reuben Vincent) 3. Chess Not Checkers (with Huey V & Tish Hyman) 4. Tale Of 2 Legends (with Tyre Hakim & RJAE) 5. Vic Chops Soul (with Vic Mensa) 6. Cypher (with Tay Keith, RJAE, Reuben Vincent, Huey V, Tyre Hakim & HDBeenDope) 7. Wild West (with Tyre Hakim, Huey V & Shawn Smith) 8. Derek Jeter (with RJAE & Huey V) 9. Outsiders (with Reuben Vincent, Guapdad 4000 & RJAE) 10. Stuck In LA (with KayCyy, Reuben Vincent, Guapdad 4000 & Ambré) 11. Clockwork (with Tyre Hakim, Rapsody & Tish Hayman) 12. Selling Lies (with Zacari, Reuben Vincent & RJAE) 13. Love Is A Mixtape (with Kalan.FrFr, HDBeenDope & Reuben Vincent) 14. Love Answers All – Bonus (with Rapsody & KenTheMan)
Roc Nation has unveiled its highly anticipated mixtape release, Humble Soles, in honor of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary this year. This innovative project showcases fresh tracks from emerging rappers and promising producers, celebrating the fusion of hip-hop and streetwear culture.
Lead tracks like “Tale Of 2 Legends” by Tyre Hakim and RJAE, “The Takeover” by RJAE, Tyre Hakim, Johnny Cocoa, and “Love is a Mixtape” by Kalan.FrFr and Reuben Vincent have ignited anticipation with special summer previews. A surprise bonus track, “Love Answers All,” features Rapsody and KentheMan.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the artists that have come together for this project,” said Emory Jones, the project’s executive producer. “Our lineup is made up of leaders shaping the future’s sound. They’re the most innovative and unique of the game so far – all while remaining humble and hardworking at the same time. This tape is to honor the best-in-class of the genre and I can wholeheartedly say we’ve achieved just that.”
“This mixtape is much more than just a music release. It’s a piece of the larger Mixtape campaign we’ve built that mirrors how hip hop has shaped not just music but culture, public discourse, fashion, and so much more,” said Roc Nation Label co-president Shari Bryant. “This tape is special because it is an emblem of the powerful family of Roc Nation voices that have united to build something that commemorates a culture that has given so much back to us.”
The mixtape is integral to Roc Nation’s partnership with PUMA, complementing the global sports company’s Mixtape Series shoe and apparel collection. Weekly, unreleased mixtape tracks and exclusive content are embedded in the PUMA Mixtape RS-XL shoe’s scannable NFC-powered “LGT Tag.”
This groundbreaking 360-degree project combines digital content, sneaker drops, fashion technology, pop-up events, and cypher competitions, providing an immersive experience. Humble Soles also marks the return of DJ Clue, a mixtape industry veteran, who redefines the game with his iconic resurgence.
Today’s release delivers exceptional music and contributes to the storytelling of mixtape culture’s rich history, celebrating it in unprecedented ways. Roc Nation’s Mixtape campaign promises more drops and activations throughout the year, continuing to celebrate hip hop’s enduring legacy.
Joey Bada$$ recently spoke on meeting with Jay-Z for the first time at the age of 17. The Brooklyn rapper revealed that the 2012 meeting changed everything for him. He says it managed to instill a newfound sense of confidence in the teenage version of himself. The artist recalled getting an offer to be flown out to meet with Jay-Z. “Get the f*ck outta here,” he said at the time. It’s clear that at such a young age, capturing the attention of a powerhouse like Jay has a lasting effect on Joey Bada$$.
“Yo, I’m 17, and I already accomplished my wildest dream,” he remembers thinking to himself. He then goes on to explain that meeting with the Roc Nation founder was his biggest dream, “besides $1M.” “That came the year after,” the artist also joked. “I remember going up in that elevator like, ‘if I’m meeting with Jay right now, I can do anything,” he also reveals.
Though Joey Bada$$ never ended up signing to Roc Nation, he’s maintained that Jay-Z is an idol of his. During an appearance on The Breakfast Club, the rapper revealed that Jay-Z’s book, Decoded, had a major influence on him. The rapper even says one story in the book inspired him to stay independent. He reflected on his line in his 2000 track, “Make Me Feel,” where he raps “I peep game like Jay, that’s why he didn’t sign.”
Joey Bada$$ broke down the line, explaining, “I read his book DECODED and that line was inspired by a piece in DECODED when he said he met with Russell Simmons for the first time.” The rapper continued, “He details his experiences like him remembering sitting at that table and looking at them and thinking to himself like ‘Damn I don’t want to be signed to these n****s, I want to be these n****s.‘ So that was kind of the inspiration behind that line.”
Tyler, the Creator was a guest on DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz Podcast and spoke about fielding label offers earlier in his career. One of those offers came from JAY-Z and Roc Nation.
Tyler revealed Hov had him out to one of his Los Angeles area homes for tacos and offered a deal, which he would eventually deny.
“We just ate tacos,” Tyler said. “We ate some tacos and he wanted to sign us. I was like ‘Man you’re cool, but no.’”
Tyler revealed that he turned down the deal due to wanting full creative control of his work.
Roc Nation Sports International is making strides in the content creation and video production space with the launch of RNSI Productions. This new venture aims to enhance storytelling capabilities for clients and partners worldwide, solidifying Roc Nation Sports International’s position as industry leaders in agency content creation.
RNSI Productions, led by Head of Strategy and Content Rob Simpkins, boasts a dedicated video production team based in Roc Nation Sports International’s London office. This team travels extensively to capture captivating content featuring a comprehensive roster of world-class athletes and partners.
The roster includes renowned footballers such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Vini Jr., Federico Dimarco, Chris Richards, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Jack McGlynn, and Axel Witsel. Additionally, international rugby stars like Siya Kolisi, Maro Itoje, Cheslin Kolbe, Marcus Smith, Ellis Genge, and Ardie Savea are part of the roster. RNSI also provides consultation services to prominent organizations in the sports world.
President of Roc Nation Sports International, Michael Yormark, expressed pride in the outstanding content created by RNSI Productions. Notable examples include collaborations with the Ryder Cup golf competition, where RNSI showcases the drama and excitement of the event to new audiences.
“This project will serve to further enhance our story-telling capabilities through visually appealing, customised video content, which will enhance the marketing and brand awareness of our athletes and partners,” Yormark commented.
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Additionally, RNSI Productions crafted an energetic and engaging content piece for Serie A, displayed on the largest outdoor screen in Times Square, New York, showcasing the artistry and essence of Italian football.
Simpkins emphasized the excitement of contributing to numerous productions that bring unique and captivating stories to life. The launch of RNSI Productions signals a new chapter in Roc Nation Sports International’s commitment to delivering compelling visual narratives in the sports industry.
“It’s incredible to be part of such a passionate team of content creators, and there are an array of exciting projects we are working on. As an agency, our mission is to deliver the most dedicated full service representation to our world-class clients, as well as to be different and challenge the status quo, and RNSI Productions is another initiative that speaks to this commitment!”
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports is becoming a global player in the sports industry. Roc Nation Sports president Michael Yormark announced a new partnership with the Italy soccer league Serie A. According to Deadline, this is a “strategic partnership” in which Roc Nation Sports will help the premier Italian futbol league become a major player in the North American sports sphere. While the two sides originally joined forces in 2019, Monday marks the first day of their official deal.
“We are super excited to help Serie A expand its brand throughout America,” Yormark said, “while helping to develop meaningful commercial partnerships along with enhanced brand visibility.” Growth is the name of the game for Serie A, and Jay-Z is looking to grow both his sports empire and the profile of international soccer in the United States. With the U.S. Women’s National Team being the pinnacle of soccer greatness and the Men’s National Team on the up and up, this is a smart time to enter a massive deal with anything soccer.
— Roc Nation Sports International (@RocNationSI) July 10, 2023
This is the second acquisition for Roc Nation Sports in the world of international soccer. Just days before, Jay-Z and the company reached another deal with TFM, a Brazilian soccer agency. TFM plus Roc Nation now has 120 players represented, including Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal. Hova now has influence in both South America and Europe in terms of soccer profiles. The Roc Nation Sports International Twitter handle dropped a welcome video for the Serie A acquisition. “Made in Italy, Celebrated Globally… Welcome to the Family,” the caption read.
Seria A is a world-famous soccer league with over 95 years of history under its belt. It also touts iconic sports franchises like Juventus and A.C. Milan. The new deals with Brazil and Italy will shake up the revenue margins of agents and players, according to Forbes. With two massive contracts in place, Jay-Z is looking to continue his international influence with potential deals in the near future.
