Roc-A-Fella Records

Roc-A-Fella Records, was one of the largest United States hip hop/rap record labels. It was co-founded in New York City by hip hop mogul Damon "Dame" Dash, Kareem "Biggs" Burke, and Sean Carter who is known as multi-platinum rapper Jay-Z in 1995. The label is part of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

History

The initial upstart was created out of frustration to attempt to secure a record deal for Jay-Z. The group began pressing records, selling them out of their trunks and requesting time on mix radio. This showing of independence and self-sufficiency impressed Priority Records so much that they agreed to support the release of Jay-Z's debut album "Reasonable Doubt" in a joint venture with Roc-A-Fella. Reasonable Doubt was considered the best success since the debut of Jay-Z.

The break for Roc-A-Fella came after Jay-Z decided to record several tracks for his album with a then-unknown Foxy Brown. Foxy Brown's label Def Jam was initially opposed to the pairing of the two rappers, but were soon charmed by Damon Dash and his new record label. Today Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam enjoy a profitable, mutually-beneficial relationship. Since 1996 to 2005, Roc-A-Fella was the dominated label in hip-hop.

The name Roc-a-Fella is a play on Rockefeller, a rich and powerful New York family. It is a limited-liability company that folds its own company's assets through Def Jam and also profits through its releases. Roc-A-Fella has been successful in starting the careers of Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and Amil. Notably most of Roc-A-Fella's releases came from Jay-Z. Newcomers such as producer/rapper Kanye West, Freeway, Cam'Ron, Young Gunz and rock singer Samantha Ronson released albums under Roc-A-Fella. The label also was responsible in signing the controversial rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, who recently died while recording his debut on Roc-A-Fella.

Damon Dash responsible for managing the label. Roc-A-Fella has ventured in producing movies. Paid In Full, State Property and The Woodsman were some of Roc-A-Fella notable success. Other ventures included Roc-A-Wear, a urban apparel clothing company, Roc4Kids, a community outreach program started by Dame Dash to support students. Roc-A-Fella has also invested in Armadale Vodka, and also its publication America. Roc-A-Fella has generated earnings in the millions.

Death of A Dynasty

Rumors speculated that Jay-Z and Dame Dash were not getting along. Dash signed Cam'Ron to Roc-A-Fella without Jay-Z's acknowledgment. Also Jay-Z was opting from the label to form his own franchise and signed Foxy Brown to his label S. Carter Records. The label also seen its trouble from the appending arrest of Beanie Sigel over attempted murder charges, and Dash facing lawsuits from an alleged rape victim. Roc-A-Fella enjoyed success came to an end as of January 3, 2005. The label announced it was folding into the Def Jam label, and appointing Jay-Z as the president of the label. Dash and Burke were released from their label. Not deterred the moguls started their own franchises, the Dame Dash Music Group, Roc4Life, and Team Roc music labels. Former label artists such as Beanie Sigel, N.O.R.E., Cam'Ron, Nicole Wray, and Samantha Ronson were assigned to Dash. While Roc-A-Fella stable artists Memphis Bleek, Kanye West, and Young Gunz were signed with Jay-Z.

Current and Former Artists on Roc-A-Fella

• Jay-Z
• Beanie Sigel
• Memphis Bleek
• Amil
• Kanye West
• Nicole Wray
• Cam'Ron
• Juelz Santana
• Young Gunz
• M.O.P.
• Dirt McGirt
• N.O.R.E.
• DJ Clue
• State Property
• Freeway
• S.I.S.
• Denim
• The Diplomats
• Samantha Ronson

See also

• List of record labels

External link

• Official site